Another day of posting late. Bad pastor’s wife! No latté!
Marie of Help Them to Heaven posted this a few weeks ago and I fell in love with it. Even though the Annunciation isn’t until next month, I’m posting yet another setting of the Magnificat. I wish that iTunes had Mark Haas singing this because the version they have is ugly in comparison to the beautiful piano music, the rich male voices, and the exquisite harmonies.
Our guest poster today is Emily and she’s tackling Proverbs 31:24. She’s a fellow Lutheran but she’s in the process of becoming Catholic. She is also preparing to marry on May 4th and I’m hoping her wedding involves light sabers!
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. (NIV)
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. (KJV)
I have always been fond of this Proverbs verse. In fact, it even inspired the name of the blog I co-author, Fine Linen and Purple. If you have ever read this whole chapter, it’s quite beautiful! I’m sure you have read many other posts about the other verses, but this one is special to me!
I found this description while perusing Google and really liked how it described this verse: A virtuous woman – the kind of woman every wise man seeks to marry – is an enterprising woman. She is not content with merely being a housewife. She knows she is capable of more, and so she does more. The example here is a manufacturing and wholesale operation in fine linen and girdles. She has an entrepreneurial and industrious spirit that seeks profitable projects to support her husband and build the family estate.
This woman is giving so much, and is extremely obedient. She does everything she can to support her husband. She is the virtuous woman. She wants to help out with her family. Her family is well taken care of, and she gives all of herself to her family and husband. I think we can take something from this verse. Do all that you can to aid your husband. Give your all to your family. Give your all to God! This doesn’t just apply to women who are married. Try to give your all in every aspect of your life. That doesn’t necessarily mean make clothes for a living, but you get my point 🙂
Emily is a 20-something, engaged, almost-Catholic who lives in Ohio. She blogs about her wedding (in less than 3 months!), conversion, running, and losing weight over at Day in the Life.
We’re late today because I’ve had a crazy week and slept in today. Oops!
I was going to do this one on Wednesday but I went a hymn instead. I sang this with my church choir 10 years ago on Ash Wednesday and I think of it every Lent because I love the words and music. The composer, Samuel Sebastian Wesley is the grandson of Charles Wesley who, for those unfamiliar with Protestantism, is considered the founder of the Methodist church. The verse it is based on is the KJV rendering of Isaiah 26:3.
I chose this particular video of it because I love seeing how the music comes together.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. — Proverbs 31:23
OK… so whoever scheduled Shrove Tuesday/Ash Wednesday/Valentine’s Day together needs to be beaten soundly. I’m losing time at night to ponder and write. But enough of my whining!
The city gate was the place where the judges sat and handled disputes. Only the wisest men held this place of honor (at least I remember that much from reading commentaries on Amos 5 in seminary) so if the virtuous woman’s husband was respected there, it meant that either he was exceedingly wise or the virtues of his wife shone back on him and added to his prestige. My vote is for the latter one.
This is an interesting verse for me as a pastor’s wife because everything I say/do/write reflects back on my husband Jon, whether I like it or not. This has led to elderly (and not so elderly) parishioners lecturing me on how I should dress, mingle, pursue employment, etc. In one case, I was always in the wrong place — if I was in the kitchen, I was being anti-social and if I was out pouring coffee for people, I was neglecting my kitchen duties. I was criticized for wearing clothes that were too dark — apparently, a jewel colored shirt with a black skirt or pants and a black cardigan was too somber and I should wear pastels. (Have I mentioned how hideous I look in pastels? So *NOT* my coloring.) I smiled politely and nodded, realizing that these people paid Jon’s salary and irritating them would be a bad move.
When Daniel was born, it was like I finally gained a backbone as I went into Mama Grizzly mode the second someone criticized decisions I made about him like choosing not to breastfeed (I was too sick and needed the sleep), actually going home every night (I trusted the NICU staff with him and he didn’t need me at that stage as much as he needs me now during hospitalizations), and choosing to vaccinate. I didn’t quite turn aggressive but I got quite a bit more assertive about my right to wear what I wanted to wear to church, saying “no” to activities because of Daniel, and not caring what anyone outside of my doctor had to say about him. I think these times were when I probably made Jon “respectable at the city gate” because I was authentically myself and I showed through how I handled Daniel’s birth and subsequent NICU stay that I was a woman of valor and one who was indispensable to her husband.
Another former WBC member. I have so much hope for my generation now that another former Westboro Baptist person is speaking out. Lauren Drain posed for the NOH8 campaign, had an AMA on Reddit, and has a book out next month on her experiences. I’m hoping it will be available for NOOK.
Great Big Sea. I can’t remember if I saw this on Facebook or on someone’s blog or what. It’s a version of “Children, Go Where I Send Thee” called “Come and I Will Sing You”. My husband Jon remembers singing it at Boy Scout camp. I love this YouTube video because it’s the guys of Great Big Sea doing it acoustically with just a bodhran and shakers for instruments… outside in the middle of a snow storm. You can tell they’re having fun and getting into the jamming session.
Ash Wednesday worship. I had to deal with the Social Security Administration down in Lodi so I snuck into a noon Eucharist for ashes because I didn’t know how much of the evening service at Metanoia that I’d get to attend. It turns out I got to attend all of it. Boo yah! We celebrated with a couple other ministries and churches in town and had a blast. I think our Pentecostal lector needs to give the Lutheran lectors some tips because he was quite… passionate about his reading. My ash cross from Metanoia was also pretty decent even after bathing Daniel and taking care of basic stuff before Jon got home.
An update on Yong. Do you remember the Chinese orphan I mentioned last week for whom we were hoping to raise $100,000 so he could get to the States and have his massive facial tumor removed. ALL THE MONEY GOT RAISED. I think it only took a week too. God is awesome!
Speaking of orphans… We now know who is adopting Kaia: the Heaton Family! Her adoption will not be cheap so if you can, please go to their site and throw a few bucks their direction.
And then there’s Brett.
He really needs a mama. Go show him some love.
Baseball. Spring Training is beginning!!! I’m looking forward to the season this year. Obviously, I’m rooting for the Giants (I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area) but I’m also following Jason Motte on the Cardinals. (He’s a great pitcher and a great sport.) Apparently, there was a fan that got all hot and bothered because he (Motte) didn’t stop to sign an autograph for him. Motte’s reply (via Twitter):
Dear fan at gate that boo’ed me for not stopping to sign, My wife has a 103 temp & a screaming 5 wk old n the car. Thanks for understanding.
(I’m sitting here at $tarbux on Thursday morning trying to get these done early because I have a crazy night for the third day in a row and I happened to see the tweet.) Because, you know, all athletes exist to do is sign autographs, right?
Forty to Forever. The Forty Days to Forever fundraiser is underway and they still need people to be sponsoring blogs. The amazing and awesome Elizabeth of Tales from Astoria signed up and I’d like to encourage any/all of you to do the same. You can also follow on Twitter — we’re @fortytoforever.
For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.
I sang this song for the first time in 2007 at Synod Assembly in Great Falls, Montana. It’s in the new hymnal (which our parish in Montana did not own) and it would have been unfamiliar to people. I love it for several reasons:
1.) Its tune comes from one of my favorite Irish folk songs — “The Star of the County Down”. I actually ended up singing the chorus for one of Jon’s parishioners tonight.
2.) The words seemed so awesome and it wasn’t until I was doing a YouTube search for it that I discovered why: it’s a setting of the Magnificat, one of my favorite pieces of Scripture as well as my favorite canticles during Morning Prayer.
Here are the words which were penned by Rory Cooney:
1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!2. Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
ev’ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
There are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!4. Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
‘Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
(HT: SpiritandSong.Com)
Today’s guest poster is Kendra. She is my late night chat buddy and go-to person on most things when it comes to natural parenting. She also co-owns Fine Linen and Purple with her soon-to-be sister-in-law Emily (who will be featured here in a few days).
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. — Proverbs 31:22
I love this verse for many reasons.
First, it portrays a strong woman, one who is gifted and skilled to provide for herself and her family, and (inferred from Proverbs 31 as a whole) she is happy to do this. Second, this verse shows a woman who is dressed in her very best. She works hard to put her best self forward and to do the best for her home and family.
God wants us to care: both about ourselves and for others entrusted to our care. We are called to put effort into managing our home, being there for our family, and taking care of our own needs each day. I know that there are days when it??s better, even necessary, to stay in pajamas or skip the chores, to manage stress or stay sane. However, I try my best, when possible, to not let that become the norm or default.
I notice that when I have time and take the time to put on a nicer outfit or do my hair, my attitude is better that day. When I accomplish a set of chores, or even set the table nicely before dinner, things just feel different. Taking care of yourself and working hard can both be contagious, and your positive attitude can work wonders: within your home and to others you meet.
So yes, I think this verse is telling us that it??s good to care, and to put extra effort into cultivating an attitude of joy in our lives. Put the nice ??coverings?? on the bed. Go in your closet and put on your own version of ??fine linen and purple.?? Take the time to do something a little extra for your spouse, children, friend, sibling, or co-worker. It may be the little spark you need to smile, and to spread joy to those who need it the most.
Kendra is a Catholic wife and mama of one little boy. She blogs about being a Catholic, a gamer and nerd, a real food advocate, and an attachment family at The Nerdy Wife. She also blogs about faith, fashion, beauty, and new feminism at Fine Linen and Purple.