Not for women only!!

The description of the type of woman that King Lemuel's mom would like him to live his life with is what starts this chapter.  It's difficult to find the right spouse and then to have a relationship that will last for more than a few years...most especially now when divorce and living together is so rampant.  Recently a friend described to me a method by which a friend had approached her marriage and I was amazed....and awed at how simple and yet so difficult this process could be, yet so utterly successful and blessed when put into practice.  She approached it very suscintly.  With her intended she laid out what she expected...down to a "t". and if he chose not to comply with these concepts, then it was off!  No marriage and no more relationship!  something that is amazingly straightforward, and yet nearly no one does this anymore!!  Why do we not think long term when we consider marriage?  We as a society think only in the moment and no longer consider what happens because of one moment into the next!!  King Lemuel's mom knew this and warned him be very careful about giving away "himself" and avoiding drunken sprees as these will weaken his effectiveness as a king and ruler.
As a woman and spouse working toward attaining the Proverbs 31 virtuous woman, I couldn't agree more with the kings mom.....no king wants to worry about children out of wedlock or to have to make important decisions  while hung over and thinking more about the next bout of drunkenness and not fully aware of his surroundings and words.
I want a husband who is equally partnered with me and who has the same goals for our family and life!  Not only do verses 10-31 describe and individual, but I believe it subtly describes how Christ wants us as his "brides" to behave during our lives as his church!  So...this isn't just for women, but men can also glean a lesson on the ideal husband as well!!  Read it together and see if you can begin to realign your relationship in someway to the highest ideal  of marriage as we earthly creatures can imagine.  Our husbands are suppose to be able to handle that family matters first and foremost, but they won't be able to if we don't agree on what that's suppose to be and how to handle each matter.  It's a concept that isn't used anymore because we are such a selfish, me centered society, but WORK TOGETHER....it's a long ride and should be considered very carefully before entering into this world of marriage, parenting and leading our children into adulthood.