Saturday, May 10, 2008

A Wife of Noble Character - I have Found

I kept thinking this morning on mother's day, among all the other thoughts that have run through my head, "A Wife of Noble Character - I have found." Of course that answer is of the question that is in the 10th verse of Pr. 31. I have found her. I think of all the ways that God could honor my wife on a day set aside for recognition of a mother's life - to give her another child. Wow, how about that. Can someone give me an amen?

Today, more than any other mother's day, she proves herself faithful to those verses..."Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life...She sets about her work vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks...She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy...She is clothed with strength and dignity, she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue... Her children rise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he PRAISES HER. Many women do noble things, but my Amy surpasses them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (By the way you have all three). Give her the REWARD she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

I love you Amy Malynn Arnold, you are worthy to boast of. May this be the most blessed Mother's day you have ever experienced.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yow! I get to be the first post!

"Amen!" to what you said Brad. Scripture also says, "the man who finds a good wife has found favor with the Lord." You are a favored man (as am I).

Nancy, Irene and Lisa B. were all over your blog last night (as are most of the women in the Bloomington-Normal area). I am writing just to prove to Amy that guys can get into blogs! (I'm even thinking about watching Oprah tomorrow!)

That was my initial intent anyway. But now I'm drawn in. So reminiscent looking at all your pictures and hearing of your experiences Brad and Amy. Seems like just yesterday we were in China getting our Nina.

Reading your blog reminded me of what it felt like when we first arrived in China. I kept thinking of the verse, "we are strangers, we are aliens, we are not of this world." The total lack of identity with the culture around Nancy and I felt so strangely familiar. I couldn't figure out why until that verse hit me. Being a Christian in this world should feel the same way.

It also reminded me of how people in China would respond when they saw Nancy and I walking around with Nina . . . one of their own. Statistically most of those who saw us had never seen such a spectacle . . . two Americans walking around freely with a Chinese child. People's reactions were one of three things; some just stared, others looked very troubled, those were the majority of the reactions, but a very small number would stop, look at us and smile . . . they would all then say the same thing . . . "lucky baby" . . . and then they would walk away.

I echo their thoughts . . . Libi is a lucky baby . . . actually a very BLESSED baby . . . I can't think of any better parents for this little one. At the same time, what lucky parents you are . . . you got the GOLDEN TICKET! Out of all the parents in the world He could have chosen for this little anointed girl from God; after scanning the entire globe . . . he chose the two of you. What an amazing God we serve!

Happy Mother's Day Amy . . . I agree with Brad, you are blessed indeed!

Jason

Anonymous said...

P.S. Praying for you at The Journey tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

(In case anyone's counting . . . that's three posts in a row for Jason. Eat your hearts out ladies!)

Irene said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Irene said...

Brad, I so agree....your wife is amazing! She is such a treasure and God has blessed you and your children with an incredible wife and mother. (And I and so many others with an incredible friend!!) What an awesome Mother's Day gift to receive your beautiful daughter on this special day. God is so faithful and good. He is so good!!

Waiting with anticipation for those first glimpses of you and your daughter. Praying for you all fervently. Happy Mother's Day Amy!!! I love you! Irene

(To Jason.....nicely done; however, it doesn't count when the comments are all in a row - they have to be on separate posts!! :o)

Sherry said...

Brad - What beautiful words for your wife and the mother of your children on this incredibly special day! The Lord has blessed your marriage and your family. And He has seen fit to pick this day on the kingdom calendar to bring you a new and precious babe!

Amy - It is a joy and a blessing to be walking this journey of life with you!!! You are not only a blessing to your husband and your children, but also to your friends. Tears stream down my post as I type this out of thankfulness to God that He has placed our families on this journey together. Happy Mothers Day!!

We praise you God for your perfect design for Brad and Amy's family. A family you planned before the creation of the earth. We thank you and delight in you that you saw fit to choose them to be Libi Faith's parents. Bless Brad & Amy for their faithfulness to you! You are a perfect God and we are so humbled to be able to watch you unfold your miraculous plan today in the Arnold family.

We love you Father! We love you Brad and Amy! We love you Arnold boys! And we love you Libi Faith!

Sherry

Sanders Family said...

Hey guys!! just got done with my paper route and Its amazing to think that you probably have Libi right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOOOOOOOO exciting! Hope everything is going great!! Can't wait to see some pics!!!!

God Bless and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!
Elliot

Anonymous said...

Brad,

Here's an AMEN from me. You do have a rare jewel on your hands!!!

Christy S

Anonymous said...

Thanks for writing this.

Libi's song