April the 18th will always be a special day to me. It was on this day in 1987 that God blessed the world with Tara Nicole (then Baker now Calhoun). Therefore as I approach this day I do so with celebration in my heart!
It is my desire on this most special occasion to shower Tara in words of praise, adoration, and love.
Most of you know that Tara and I became friends in September 2006 and married in September 2009. As I reflect back on the last six years I can say with assurance that because of Tara, my life has been changed for the better.
Over the course of this last week as I prepared to celebrate my bride on this special day, there was one passage of scripture that was continually before me.
The Wife of Noble Character
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.
Proverbs 31:10-31
Before Tara and I even knew one another I would spend countless hours with this passage. During those times I would pray this passage over the person that God would bring (futuristic) into my life for me to marry. Everyday I wake up I thank God for answering those prayers.
This passage is a beautiful description of who Tara is:
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.
There is not a day that goes by that I do not thank God for Tara. I rest assured knowing that we are working together and moving toward Christ.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
If there is a task to be done, Tara is eager to jump in and be hands on.
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.
If I had to describe Tara with one adjective it would be “planner.” This passage hits that on the head! Tara is a person who has her ducks in a row before she begins anything and as a result she is successful.
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.
I remember setting with Paul and Carol as I asked for Tara’s hand in marriage and I never will forget how they prided themselves in raising Tara to be a diligent person. For those of you who know her, you know that once Tara sets her mind on accomplishing something, you had best step aside because nothing will alter her course. This is evident in her desire to become a Social Worker. There are many moments that I draw strength from Tara’s work ethic and diligence. Many people don’t know that she held down a full-time and part-time job while being a full-time college student AND a Pastor’s Wife. She didn’t just “survive”, she excelled and graduated in the Advanced Master’s Program at WKU with honors! I laugh sometimes because I think Tara eats pressure for breakfast.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
This might as well say, “Tara opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” Another adjective for Tara is compassionate. One of the reasons she is a Social Worker today is because of her heart to serve and help people.
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.
When I read this passage I see a home that is covered in the (scarlet) blood of Christ. Purple in biblical times was a very expensive dye, and was only used on items of great value. When you speak to someone who knows Tara, they will tell you that she is a person with and of value.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
I would like to think that I am “cool” by association lol! The greatest compliment or conversation I have had with someone has involved Tara is some fashion. It is said that, “Behind every good man is a great woman.” I firmly agree! I would not be a fraction of who I am without Tara’s love and support.
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.
Tara is probably the strongest person I know. She may not express it very often but people of her caliber seldom do.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Tara will admit that she is a “quiet” person. And anyone who knows Tara knows that there is no denying who her daddy is. Tara like Paul is a person of few words, but I have observed that still waters run deep. When I want wisdom and even when I don’t want it, I know I can count on the discernment of Tara.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Tara is an “on the go” type of person. Idleness is not in her vocabulary. If it needs done she sees that it gets done.
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.”
If you talk to me longer than 60 seconds I am someway or somehow going to tell you about my wife. It’s not work to me, it’s east because she is a praiseworthy person. Nobody can hold a light to her!
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
I’m blessed in this section as well because Tara has such an attractive grace and peace in her life that you can’t help to be drawn to. She is also a lover of God and places Him 1st in her life, plus she’s a hottie!
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
This brings me to one final thought. When I look at Tara I see Jesus. I know and have experienced the Christ-like love that she has in her life. It is a love that is undeserving, unrelenting, and asks nothing in return. This love doesn’t come by chance or by working for it, rather it simply comes from a place of private worship and devotion to Christ. As Tara lives a life of worship she can’t help but give to you from the overflow of her heart, which is a reflection of God’s heart.
I am truly blessed to call Tara my bride and it is on this special day of celebration that I want to wish her the happiest of all birthdays!
