A Good Wife

This has been floating around the internet for a few years and some say it came from a 1950's textbook, others claim it was from Canada. Wherever it is from, it has gotten a lot of controversy! From women scoffing at it and criticizing it, to men commenting "I WISH" my wife treated me that way, etc.

The sad thing is.....this IS a good example of what a GOOD WIFE should be and do. Not every detail of it is what I think should be done but for the most part it is. Scripture was added thanks to Bible Believer's and I have added my own "inserts" to some of the items.


1. Get your work done. Plan tasks with an eye on the clock. Finish or interrupt them an hour before your husband is expected home. Your anguished cry "are you home already?" is not exactly a warm welcome.
"She...worketh willingly with her hands." ~ Proverbs 31:13

2. Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know you have been thinking of him and are concerned for his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed. (my insert - would you like to work for 8 hours a day and come home to no food? Come on WOMEN get in that kitchen and whip him up something good to eat and have it hot and ready when he comes home!)

"...She bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens." ~ Proverbs 31:14,15

3. Prepare yourself. Take 15 min. to rest so that you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up (my insert - you don't need to "paint" your face, you are fine the way you are!), put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

"She maketh herself covering of tapestry; he clothing is silk and purple. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come." ~ Proverbs 31:22,25

4. Clear away the children. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order and it will give you a lift too.

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." ~ Proverbs 31:27

5. Prepare the children. Take just a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed..." Proverbs 31:28

6. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate noise of washer dryer, dishwasher, vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

"And that ye study to be quiet..." ~ I Thessalonians 4:11

7. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a smile and act glad to see him. (my insert - Let him know he is wanted, loved, and appreciated for what he does! A man needs this!! He wants admiration, you should give it to him or he may go elsewhere to meet these needs.)

"...Her husband also, and he praiseth her." ~ Proverbs 31:28

8. Some dont's, don't greet him with a problem or complaint. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count this minor compared with what he might have gone through during the day. (my insert - a good way to drive away your husband is to greet him each day he comes home with a list of to-do's and complaints. He will dread coming through that door! What we do, is when my husband comes home I scream "Daddy's HOME!!!!!!" Then me and my daughter race to the door to greet him, hug him and kiss him! He says he looks forward to that moment of walking through the door!)

"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her..." ~ Proverbs 31:11

9. Make him feel comfortable. Have him lean back into a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillows and offer to massage his neck and shoulders and take off his shoes. Speak in a soft, soothing, pleasant voice. Allow him to relax to unwind. (my insert - he has worked and slayed dragons so to speak for you to stay home and raise the children! Let him have his moment of solitude and relaxation, he has faced the "world" all day and wants to come home to some peace and quiet!)

"Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." ~ Proverbs 31:29

10. Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." ~ Proverbs 31:26

11. Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax. (my insert - a Godly husband and wife will work together to make sure BOTH parties are happy, this includes nights when husband is tired to put aside your wants and stay home and then also nights when you want to go out, he agrees and takes you. You should prefer one another)

"Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." ~ Proverbs 31:31

12. The goal, try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit. (my insert - it should be his "castle")

"She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." ~ Proverbs 31:12
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