Proverbs 31:25-26 - Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

This passage from Proverbs 31 describes the character of a virtuous wife. It says that she is clothed with strength and dignity, and that she laughs without fear of the future because she trusts in God. It also says that when she speaks, her words are filled with wisdom and kindness. She uses her words to teach others with gentleness.

Kindness is such an important virtue, especially when sharing wisdom with others. It's easy to come across as harsh or judgmental when correcting or instructing people, but using kind words shows that our goal is not to condemn but to build others up. This virtuous wife understood that. She didn't just have wisdom to share, but she shared it in a way that was gracious and caring rather than abrasive. Her words brought people together rather than dividing them. In a world that can be so uncivil, her example of speaking truth with kindness is one we would all do well to follow. When we consider how to instruct or advise others, we should ask ourselves if we are doing so with compassion. Are we considering how our words might affect them and draw them closer to God, or push them further away? A kind word has power to change lives.

Lord, thank you for the example of this virtuous wife and her kindness. Help us to follow her lead in sharing wisdom with others through gentle, caring words. May our speech always be seasoned with salt and grace. When correcting or advising, give us compassion and discernment to know how to do so in a way that builds people up rather than tears them down. May our words point others to you and your unending love. Amen.