The Virtuous Wife

The Virtuous Wife

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

POTTER - Two pots contemplate the sovereignty of God

(Two women duck walk onto the stage wearing large dark garbage bags tight around their necks with the bottoms cut out for walking)
ROSE -- Here comes another one, Lily.
LILY -- Another what, Rose?
ROSE -- Another vase, Lily! Another vase! It's over, I tell ya! It's over! We'll be in the dumpster by morning.
LILY -- Rose, you say that every time the potter throws another pot. You're cracked!
ROSE -- (pirouettes, looking at herself) Where?
LILY -- It's a figure of speech. Don't be so paranoid.
ROSE -- Well, do you think I enjoy being thrown over for a younger pot?
LILY -- THROWN over?
ROSE -- Now's no time for levity. I'm really chipped off.
LILY -- Chipped off?
ROSE -- Yeah, who does he think he is anyway!
LILY -- Well, for one thing he's the guy who created you out of a ball of mud.
ROSE -- SLIP.
LILY -- Actually, I've never seen him SLIP. All his pots are beautiful.
ROSE -- No, I mean SLIP is the wet ball of clay he started with.
LILY -- That's my point. He COULD have made you an ash tray. Or a paper weight. But, what he wanted was a beautiful vase.
ROSE -- I AM beautiful, aren't I, Lily? (pirouettes gracefully, admiring herself)
LILY -- Yes, you are. But instead of being grateful that you're both beautiful and useful, you constantly worry that a vase MORE beautiful or more useful will happen along.
ROSE -- I don't know how you can be so relaxed about it, Lily. You were once a beautiful vase too. Now you're a ... an...
LILY -- An umbrella stand. It's okay, you can say it. I don't mind at all.
ROSE -- I'd be cracking my glaze if I were you. I'd be all fired up...
LILY -- FIRED up?
ROSE -- Yeah, it would just KILN me.
LILY -- Kiln Me?
ROSE -- Yeah, when he just casts you aside, singing I'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO YOUR VASE.
LILY -- Really, Rose, being used for an umbrella stand is not half as bad as having to listen to your puns.
ROSE -- But how can you stand it. It would be so humbling.
LILY -- You know, Rose, if you think about it, we're all HUMBLE whether we admit it or not.. The potter could have taken us out of the kiln and smashed us, all of us, into a million pieces. Or worse, he could have left us unfired, without any color or character, to wither and decompose in the rain.
ROSE -- Well, when you put it like that I don't have much choice...
LILY -- Oh, but you DO have a choice. You can sit around and complain about your color or your shape. Or you can gratefully CHOOSE TO BE exactly what you are and serve the potter cheerfully.
ROSE -- Alright, you're right. You're exactly right. I admit it. Let's go check out the new vase and tell her how lucky she is to be a POT. (both exit) Do you think she'll have a glazed look in her eye?
-Bob Snook-
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