A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

My name: `Ruth Elizabeth' means `BEAUTIFUL WOMAN OF GOD'. Over the years, as a wife and mother I have tried to hold on to this, because at times it is the only thing that has helped me make it through.

Over this week I have been watching re-runs of one of my favourite T.V shows: `7th Heaven'. Mark says he doesn't like it, but he always sits down and watches it with me. That handsome minister and his son always keep my heart a `flutter', but it is the mother that really amazes me - she is so good at everything.

A recent episode made me sit up and really listen: Mum was feeling like nobody appreciated her, and I really felt for her. I was never a great wife or mother. I hated housework, I couldn't cook and Playgroup was terrible - all those mothers telling you what your child should be doing `at this stage'. I would do all the right things a mother and wife should do - but when the hubby came home from work - he was never happy.

That is why I would spend most of my time out of the house - teaching Scripture and helping kids at school - that's where I was appreciated.

Wives and mothers are special creatures - beautiful women of God - and need to be appreciated. Whether it comes naturally to them and they really enjoy it, or whether they really have to work at it - like I do.

At my younger sister's funeral, a number of years ago, I read Proverbs 31. Unlike my older sister and myself - Miriam was a natural. She, until the last few months of her illness, was looking after her husband and 3 children (and other people's children), with all the energy she could muster. She truly was a beautiful woman of God. My own mother died when I was only 2 years old, but someone once told me she too wanted nothing more than to serve God, up until her last days. The same was true of my step-mother.

I have a lot to live up to - when I call myself a beautiful woman of God - but even if I don't make it in the wife and mother stakes, I hope to be a `woman who fears the Lord'. This is the only reward I need!!

Everyone needs to be told they're great, so here's to YOU!
To all those exceptionally beautiful women - those wonderful wives and mothers.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen within her eyes and in the eyes of God. That is the place where LOVE TRULY RESIDES.

True beauty is reflected in a woman's soul. It is in the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and for us `oldies', the beauty of a woman with the passing years only grows.

YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN OF GOD!!

(Author Unknown).