Today you should read: Proverbs 31:10-31
In January of 2009, on my first (maybe second) visit to Center Point Church, Tim was preaching in a relationship series similar to the one we finished in the Spring. Anyway, he brought a young lady up on stage as he was discussing friendship, and I’ll never forget his description of her—“Everybody’s best friend!”
In 2009, CPC was quite a bit smaller and many times over the next several months I would see “Everybody’s best friend” around church. In the Fall, I started serving with Todd in the college ministry that I was able to officially meet Erin for the first time. Long story short, we’ve been married for almost 7 years and now have two baby girls.
I remember thinking when Tim called Erin, “Everybody’s best friend” that she would be somebody I’d like to get to know—and I’m glad I did!
Proverbs 31:10–31 provides a description of a wife of noble character. However, it also serves as a sort of epilogue to the book of Proverbs—it is an example of woman wisdom in action (See also Proverbs 8).
Two notes of interest is that this section is a Hebrew acrostic. It is a form of poetry where each verse begins with a successive letter of the alphabet. Likewise, this section is a chiasm pictured below from the New American Commentary.
I read a dating book when I was single that had a chapter heading I’ll never forget. It said, “Before you tie the knot, make sure the rope isn’t around your neck.” While I didn’t know much in 2009, I did know that. As I was searching and praying for a wife, one of the things I was looking for was a person who was well-liked by people I respected. I had already felt that the Lord was calling me into ministry and having a wife that was constantly in conflict or unapproachable would be a hinderance and not a help. Thus, Tim unknowingly provided the endorsement I was looking for. The important aspect of a chiasm is the center—a wife of noble character brings public respect for her husband, and I would add, her household.
I don’t always live with wisdom, but I know without a doubt that marrying Erin is the best decision I’ve ever made. She and I are far from perfect, but I know that when people meet her, they view me in a more positive light—she brings public respect to me and my house.
If you’re married, you understand the value of a spouse who lives in light of God’s wisdom. The question is, how has your reading of Proverbs challenged you in wisdom and understanding? If you’re single, and feel called to get married, I would say that before you start looking for a Proverbs 31 kind of person, make sure you are one. If you live like a fool according to Proverbs, hopefully a Proverbs 31 person wouldn’t give you a chance to drag him or her down. In that case, pursue wisdom, which begins with the fear of the Lord.
By: Tyler Short — Connections Ministry Associate
JumpstartCPC.com 
Awesome word today Tyler Short! I’ve been blessed with a Proverbs 31 wife for over 33 years! Praise God!
13 She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
Although she’s yet to figure out the wool, flax & spin thing. Maybe in the next 33 years!
Remember that story like it was yesterday! Great stuff on Prov. 31 too.