"What a Woman!"

1st Kings 8.18-19 NIV

“But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart.

Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, who is your own flesh and blood — he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’”

King David tried to show his great respect and love for the Lord by building a Temple in His honor. God chose David’s son Solomon to build the Temple instead. This was not to discredit David. In fact, he was commended for his desire to please God: “…you did well to have this in your heart.”

Apparently, it was not the finished product that God cared about. He didn’t need a Temple. But David needed to have a Temple project in his heart. He needed to love God enough to want to build the Temple. That was all. In King David’s case, it wasn’t the action but the thought that counted.

Of all the mothers I have ever known or heard of, clearly my wife, Adonica, was the best. She was supremely giving and loving. Every decision she ever made was with the best interest of our children and me in mind. She was intelligent, college educated, and successful in her career. However, when the children were born my wife placed her professional pursuits on hold to be at home with the kids. Adonica suffered from Leukemia and valiantly fought for her life for ten months before finally succumbing to this dreadful disease. The kids and I, and her entire community of faith stood with her in the battle. I highly revered my woman, and I still do. She was everything the “virtuous woman” of Proverbs 31 ever dreamed of being.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”

Proverbs 31.10 KJV

I found “a virtuous woman” and for that reason I (like Solomon) was (and still am) the richest and luckiest man on earth.

Unfortunately, I was never able to find a gift good enough for my wife. If I bought her a present, she normally returned it explaining, “We need the cash. Don’t spend that much on me.” She wouldn’t take flowers… they gave her allergies and cards are “a waste of money.” At Christmas, Adonica bought her own presents and gave them to me to wrap. She was not fond of surprises and would almost never accompany me on a date without the kids. She preferred to stay at home and eat a dinner she prepared for us. She would not sit still for a video unless it was “G” rated and entertained our children. Her idea of a perfect evening was dinner at home, table talk, board games, and to early bed. I could never seem to give her anything. The kids and I were all she ever really wanted. Adonica paid the bills, mowed the lawn, raked the leaves, got the groceries, prepared our food, and changed the kitty litter box. She not only cleaned the house, but selected the land, found the contractor, designed the floor plan, negotiated the deal, and bought the house. My dear wife truly was the original “virtuous woman.”  

It was always in my heart to give my dear wife tokens of my love and appreciation. I would have spent all our money on her, if she let me. I assume she secretly thought, “…you did well to have this in your heart.” That my heart wanted to honor her was good enough. She knew I loved her. Apparently in Adonica’s mind, it was always “the thought that counts,” and that was good enough. 

Sunday would have been her special day. Happy Mother's Day, honey! I shall always love you.

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"Femme et enfant au bord de la mer" (Woman and Child on the Seashore) oil on canvas 1921 by Pablo Picasso on display at The Art Institute of Chicago.