Trickles of Life

THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN

I rolled over in the queen sized bed, reaching out only to meet the space next to me empty. My eyes flew open as sleep immediately vanished. My wife, Emily, was not next to me.

My heart skipped in my chest.

Oh My God! Did I miss rapture?!

I slipped out of the bed. The alarm clock on the bedside cupboard told me it was 10pm. My heartbeat slowly returned to its original pace.

Could it be… ?

I slipped into my crocs and dragged myself out of the room. The veranda leading to our little garden was empty, the silence interrupted only by the sounds of crickets and rustling leaves in the wind.

I sighed when I saw her, smiling as warmth filled me. She was kneeling right in the middle of the flower garden. Her silky dark hair was covered in a prayer shawl, but the wind blew at it, causing it to droop a little further down her hair. Her expression was so serene it made me sigh a second time, a beautiful smile set on her face and her hands clasped in prayer.

I had the sudden urge to get a camera and capture this moment. She was so beautiful my heart would not stay still in my chest.

What a lucky man I am.  I thought as I drank in the sight.

She was exactly who Solomon had been describing when he was writing Proverbs 31…

“Daddy?" I was surprised to hear the voice of Peter, our four year old son. “Why is mommy outside?”

I turned to face the bleary eyed cutie, crouching to his level.

" Mommy is making sure we all remain safe,” I responded. "Come on. Let's get you back in bed.”

I lifted the toddler into my arms, winking at Emily as I turned to take him in. She smiled at me in appreciation.

" But mommy didn't finish telling me the story about the warrior Joshua,” he protested.

“I can tell you the story," I told him.

“Mommy does it better," he said, pouting.

I laughed. I didn't blame the kid. I was terrible with stories.

“Wanna hear something cool?" I asked.

He nodded, eyes shining. I pushed the door to the boys’ room open.

“I’ve met a real warrior," I said.

“Really?" His eyes widened. “Was it Joshua?"

I chuckled.

“No, Peter. It's a woman."

He frowned in innocent confusion.

"A woman warrior?” He asked.

" Yes. And guess what? You’ve met her too.” His eyes widened even further. " It's mommy,” I announced as I tucked in the sheets around him.

His frown deepened.

" Mommy is a warrior?” Peter looked disbelieving. "Yes baby. Whenever there's a war to fight, she puts on her beautiful golden armor and helmet.”

" And a sword?” His eyes were saucers now.

" And a sword,” I confirmed with a grin. " She is what is called a virtuous woman.”

" That sounds cool!”

" It is very cool.”

Within the next few minutes, Peter was asleep.

I rose, turning slowly so I would not wake the sleeping toddler.

I froze as I sighted Emily at the door. My eyebrows furrowed in worry when I saw that her eyes were teary.

"Em?”

She rushed over to me and threw her arms around my neck.I held her gently, still worried.

"I heard it all,” she whispered into my ear.

At this, I hugged her tighter.

" I don't deserve you Em. Why God would give broken me such a perfect woman is beyond me,” I whispered back.

She slowly pulled away.

" You're not broken, honey,”she assured, cupping my face.

" Maybe,” I said. " But I was definitely incomplete until I found you, my missing rib.”

She smiled such a beautiful smile.

“Thank you for saying yes to me, Emily. Thank you for being the perfect help-meet, and thank you for covering up all my flaws." The words poured out straight from my heart. “I love you, Em."

A single tear slid from the corner of her left eye.

“Oh honey. I love you too."

***
Awwwn… 🥰🥰
I go love ooo!!!😅😅

Special shout-out to my very own virtuous woman. Daddy, am not stealing her from you oo😂 God’s special gift and the example to follow😌 My own warrior woman⚔️ And the vessel through which I came to this world. I LOVE YOU MOMMY❤️❤️❤️