When it snows, [the wife of noble character] has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet (Proverbs 31:21).

How do you read the significance of the scarlet clothing?  Does it mean something more than color?  Does it foreshadow the blood of Christ (some commentaries seem to suggest so)?  Does it mean wealth and extravagance (as some cultural cues seem to suggest)?  Does it indicate sacrifice?  Does it suggest life and vitality?  I'll leave it for the theologians to figure out the deep meaning... I, for one, tend to think of the scarlet as simply being a pretty color.  I think it could also include some connotation of luxury (seeing how the next verse also mentions another royal color, purple).  But more than anything, I tend to think that Proverbs 31:21 demonstrates the wonder of a woman who can blend form and function masterfully, to creat home elements that are not only useful but also lovely.

I know for sure that this is something I've come to really appreciate about my Marci.  She delights in beauty.  Not to the point of sacrificing functionality -- but clearly, aesthetics are important to my wife.  It's important not just that the children are awake and fed in the morning before going to school in the morning (which tend to be my primary concerns), but also that they have clean clothing and brushed hair.  It's important not just that a gift is given to mark a certain occasion (like a wedding or the birth of a new baby) but also how the gift is presented.  It's important not just that healthy food is put on the table for dinner, but that it is also presented thoughtfully, orderly, and beautifully.  It's important not just that we have a place to take off our muddy shoes before tromping into the house, but also that it's a comfortable and restful entry point into our home.  I haven't always understood why these "little aesthetic details" were so important (and there are still times that I don't get it, even now) -- but I have come to see that they are an essential part of creating warmth, hospitality, gezelligheid, relationships... a family environment!

With a woman's touch, a house becomes a home.  A group becomes a family.  A fact becomes a feeling.  And in a world as frazzled and frenzied as ours -- a home, a family, and a peaceful feeling are every bit as essential as shelter, sustenance, and society.  They're what makes life worth living.