Every wise woman buildeth her house:
but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Last week I went to a Bible study on the Book of James. One of the women said something that I can’t stop thinking about. She said that she had been listening to a radio program and the speaker asked, “Are you the wife you would like to be married to? Are you the friend you would like to have?”
On the second question I did fine. I love my friends and I have never felt that I failed them in any way. On the first question I failed. Although I love my husband and have always tried to be a good wife, in many ways I have failed. I have been too “helpful” and too quick to criticize.
When the woman asked that question, “Are you the wife you would like to be?” it was like she held up a mirror for me to see myself. We can be so busy doing, doing, doing that we don’t take the time to ask, “How am I doing?” Is all my “help” building a strong house or tearing it down?
I am reminded of St. Paul’s quote,
“I do what I do not want to do and do not do what I want to do.”
(Romans 7)
When someone holds up a mirror in front of us, we are given a sacred gift. I wish you countless sacred gifts.