True Beauty

Proverbs 31:30
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."

This past week I spent time with the most beautiful woman I know. She is almost 82 years old. Her hair is white. She never pierced her ears, never wore makeup in her life. Her clothes are not necessarily the latest style. She's never been one to follow the trends. But she has an inner beauty that shines on her face. I can't help but want to be around her. I can't help but desire that when I'm 82 I look like her - inside and out.

She's my Nana, and she's beautiful.

My grandpa calls her his "glorious wife." She laughs and says "oh, paul..." But it's true. She has spent nearly 60 years loving him - being the helpmate he needs. Oh, she cooks, cleans, does the laundry, sews and all that. But she does more. She supports him - she submits to him - she loves him. Every morning they read the Word of God together and pray - all while growing up I loved hearing Nana pray for everyone - by name. Her kids, her grandkids, her friends, her siblings, she prayed that God would bless them all. She prayed God would save them.

She has opened her home to any and all that would need or desire to spend a day, a week, a year with them. She has budgeted money and kept her family within their means no matter the income so that there was always money to give to those in need. She baked cookies by the hundreds at Christmas time and hand delivered them to all the neighbors on her country street.

Her house is decorated with pictures of those she loves the most. And her heart is ready to meet her King - the Lord Jesus Christ - at any moment he should call her home.

As I read Proverbs 31 I realise I have been so blessed to have my Nana before me for all my life. She is worth "far above rubies" not only to her husband but to me and my family as well.