The Simple Wife Archives: Nov. 19, 2009

Bobbi writes:

I love this post because...it shows how Joanne encourages us all to study and grow in God’s Word; wherever He takes us.
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Longing

I love a good rabbit trail. Especially when studying God's Word. When something I'm studying leads me someplace else and ends up not quite where I expected, but exactly where I need to be. 

As long as I leave a trail of notes (a good composition book and a Bic crystal are absolutely necessary), I can always find my way back to where I was and get back on the original path.

Anyway.

Yesterday morning I was following contentment through Scripture using the concordance in the back of my NIV Study Bible. Not exhaustive by any means, and subject to translation choices rather than the original languages, but it's what I had at the time and set me down a  path that ended where I'm going. If I can stop rabbit-trailing and just tell you what I want to tell you already!

So.

There's one reference to "contentment" in the Song of Songs. It's not really what I was looking for (which has to do with Psalm 23 as I prepare for Bible study in the spring), but was intriguing (because isn't the Song of Songs intriguing?) and I decided to come back to it this morning.

Here's what it says:

Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment.
 (Song of Songs 8:10)

Something in me just expands and aches with that. Yes, my soul sighs. 

I long for that to be true of me. A wife who brings contentment to Toben. O God, make this true of me for Toben, I pray!

In the Hebrew, the word that is translated "contentment" is shalom. Take a look at the definition: completeness, soundness, safety, peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment, friendship, peace (from war). The noun comes from a verb that means to be in a covenant of peace, to cause to be at peace, to be complete, to be finished, to make safe, to restore.

It's not something that's just going to happen. It's going to take some effort on my part. Some asking him how I can do this--even if the answers are uncomfortable. O, to be brave!

Am I causing Toben to be at peace? Am I a safe person for him? Does he feel safe with me, or am I causing him to hide? Am I truly a helpmate? Do I refrain from warring with him? What am I doing that brings him restoration?

We're headed up to a cabin in the mountains in a few weeks for four days of intensive counseling. Our eighteenth anniversary is coming up and it's been a long time since we've sat down and really focused on where we are, where we want to be, what might need some adjusting or just plain fixing.

We all settle into routines and schedules and life just kind of goes along sometimes without much thought or intention. I suppose it will be like going to the doctor for a full check-up.

I'm a little scared. Silly, but true. And yet I'm hopeful too. And eager for time to talk and think and dream and learn how I can become the wife I long to be.

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In the comments section, leave the link to your favorite Simple Wife post. Be sure to include your name, blog (if you have one), and a sentence or two about why the post is meaningful/encouraging to you. The Simple Wife Archives are posted Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Comments

[Maribeth]

It's amazing to me that I was learning from Joanne before her stroke, and now she continues her teachings to us all.
Joanne, you are such a blessing to so many. Yes, Shalom!

[Kelly Wingo]

Perfect. I so needed this today. Joanne would be so tickled to know...and I hope someone is telling her, that she's teaching and ministering still.

[Mary Beaubier]

Pure blessings! Just the Rx I needed today. Thanks!

[Kristen]

Someone is telling her!!!

[Kerry Stacks]

I love how God is continuing to use Joanne for His glory. Thank you Joanne for a fresh word on my spirit today. I too long to be a wife that not only strives to be a Godly woman, but also that my darling husand will find contentment in me and that I will meet his needs spoken and unspoken.

Lord Jesus, thank you for Joanne, for her family, and yes even for the position she is in now. Thank you for allowing her to continue to minister to others while she in turn is being ministered to. Be with her family and allow them to know Your contentment and peace. Please allow Joanne to feel strength today and encouragement. Help her to find rest and to be comfortable. Allow workers who come, be those that You have ordained to be specifically with Joanne and her family. That they will love Joanne and show her tenderness and love her family as well. That the workers and others who are there will come to SEE You Jesus. Father, I ask that You be with Emma and Audrey today. My heart aches to think of them without their precious momma at home. I know that Joanne's arms are probably aching to hold them tight to her side. Please let the moments that they have together now in the hospital be precious and filled with Your tender mercies, Your love abounding. Thank you for meeting our needs beyond our comprehension. Thank You for shining brightly. In Your precious name I pray, Amen.
You and your family are loved. I continue to bring you all to Jesus feet daily.
Love~ from this momma's heart, Kerry

[Brynn in CO]

Here's a post that's been on my mind lately:
http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/the_simple_wife/2010/06/going-from-a-to-b-wont-be-a-round-trip.html

This post is sort of amazing to me in light of the events of the past month. I've thought about it many times. God spoke to Toben, and he obeyed. He brought his family back to CO. God did not speak to Joanne about this move, but she believed that her husband had heard God correctly and she went along with the move. Amazing acts of obedience! God might just have had the events of this last month in mind when he told Toben, "Time to pack up and head home, son!"

[tara]

Beautiful post! My husband and I have been married 1.5 (yes one and half!) years and we are going through a rough patch already! This really helped me start to refocus on being a helpmate!

Thanks Joanne!