“An excellent wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.” - Proverbs 31:10

We just finished our annual tradition of watching It’s A Wonderful Life and I am reminded again at what an inspiration Mary Bailey is to me. She is such a beautiful woman inside and out, a wonderful combination of grace and strength.

Qualities Worth Imitating 

Here is a quick list of the qualities I see in Mary that remind me of the godly qualities we can have as wives:

1. She has a genuine, beautiful smile and she is not afraid to flash it at George, at her children, at the people of Bedford Falls, in joyous times and in struggle. Her countenance is cheerful and pleasant. She is truly lovely because her smile radiates from within.
2. She is so dang creative and resourceful! She is a dreamer and makes beauty out of the ordinary. From the sweet sketch of George lassoing the moon to the home she creates out of the old dumpy mansion, Mary shows us what creative ideas and good old-fashioned elbow grease can accomplish. 
3. She makes the best of hard situations. When faced with the thought of losing George, when the Building and Loan is going to close, when her honeymoon is cancelled, Mary finds a way to be a good helper to George at great personal cost.
4. She tells her children to pray for her husband. What a brilliant woman! When her husband is down and out, harsh with the family because he feels like a failure, Mary doesn’t berate him but calls the family to pray.
5. Then, she calls for help. In the proper order, she first asks for God’s help and then she asks for the help of friends and family. Mary goes out looking for George in his state of despair and mobilizes the whole town to give back to George the love and support he has given over the years (albeit begrudgingly at times!). Imitating Christ who helps and aids us in our weaknesses and struggles, Mary helps her husband when he can’t help himself.

Look to Jesus

Mary Bailey is not a perfect woman, but she's certainly a godly example. These surely are qualities worth imitating, but I don't want to make this post just about being like Mary Bailey. Being a wife is all about Jesus, and imitation can become idolatry if we make it about becoming more like that person than knowing and loving Jesus. Jesus is our ultimate example and our fulfillment of what it means to live a perfect, God-glorifying life. Rest in his already accomplished work for you, and fight to know, serve, and love him through that.