Today is my wife Christy’s 50th birthday! Happy birthday, honey! (I know it’s not good to expose a woman’s age, but this milestone is worth celebrating!)
I treasure that I have had a chance to spend almost half of these years married to her and have known her for over 35 of them. She is an amazing woman and a true gift to me, our girls, and all with whom she has interacted with for the past 50 years.
I give you two sections of Scripture that come to mind as we celebrate and mark this day together. First inspired words of David in Psalm 139:13-16. Each day is a gift and part of God’s eternal plan.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
The second is the sayings of King Lemuel at the end of Proverbs with a reflection on the characteristics of a noble wife, a noble woman. While the details are not all parallel, the character, heart, work ethic, faith and impact of Christy match well this description.
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Thank you for allowing me to share this reflection on my wife’s 50th birthday. I treasure her, her love, her gifts, her faith, her person, her impact, and her love.
Christy, “Happy birthday!” I and many others love you lots. May God’s plan for you have many more days and years ahead!
Apply: If you’d like to send a birthday greeting, find Christy on Facebook, email her at christygeiger@gmail.com or send a card to 1235 Rowan Dr. Georgetown, TX 78628.
Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for the 50 years with which you have gifted Christy. Thank you for the gifts you have given to her and the impact she has had on us as her family and many others. Love, protect, guide, encourage, and strengthen her for many years to come! AMEN