Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!
– 2 Corinthians 5:17
That is an oldie but a goodie if ever I've heard one – and so appropriate at a time when spring is popping up all around us!
March is one of my favorite months – especially when March behaves a little more like May than it ought, with sunny skies and warm temperatures. In particular, I love the month because it houses both by birthday and the first day of spring (which happen to be one in the same – March 21st!). I'm definitely "that girl" when it comes to birthdays, by the way – love. love. love. Some say it is because I live to be the center of attention....I tend not to argue with them.
{Hey, stop judging! At least I am honest about it!}
This year, I had the ultimate good fortune to spend my 26th birthday in what has become my most favorite city in the world, Paris, with my wonderful husband. It was truly magical!
Hubs is starting business school in less than a month, big changes are coming to our family and anxiety has crept its way into our home because of them. Life was relatively simple when the two of us were on similar schedules: get up, commute to the office, work all day, commute home, complain about work, cook dinner, eat dinner, watch T.V., go to bed. Save for a hiccup here or there, we have shared this same routine since getting married. In fewer than two weeks, however, our routines become radically different. We will no longer be on the same schedule.
In an effort to loosen the tensions that had started to heighten at home due to the impending changes, Hubs, in a stroke of genius, planned a week-long getaway to Paris over my birthday. We just returned on Sunday, and let me tell you...I. Am. In. Love! With my hubby of course, but also with this glorious city.
We had an amazing trip which was topped off with perfectly sunny days and warm spring weather! We explored the city, sat in cafes, saw beautiful churches and historic sites, ate delicious food, drank indulgent wine, and strolled along the Seine. Really, it was perfect! {pictures to follow}.
Paris is everything it is said to be. Romantic. Beautiful. Charming. Leisurely. Delicious. It felt like we had suspended time and escaped reality.
Like all good things though, vacations especially have to come to an end, and now we're back to the grind. We are in our final two weeks of commuting together and I am trying my hardest to embrace the mystery of what this "new life" will bring. It is easier said than done however.
As you know, I have committed myself to acting with discipline this year. I'm having good days and terrible ones, but I'm working on it. I know that the true test will come when Hubs stops working and I continue the daily trek into the city.
To be honest, I'm terrified. Of what? Mostly, I'm scared of the selfish creature that I know lives in the depths of my being. The one that will be dying to come out on days when Hubs gets to sleep later than I do, or gets to do his work at home instead of in a cubicle.
But I've returned from this trip with a renewed spirit, albeit to an airport that smells more like burnt Starbucks than freshly baked Parisian bread. I'm praying that God will change my heart so that I might die to my selfish ways along with Christ on the cross and become a new creation. I want to live as He has called me to. I want to be the Wife of Noble Character described in Proverbs 31. And, if it's not too much trouble, I may even ask that you pray for me as well...
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
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 selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
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.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
– Proverbs 31:10-31
