It was fun in last week’s note to picture myself as my husband’s fancy crown, but not nearly so pleasant this week to study the second half of the verse and imagine myself causing my man’s bones to rot. “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones” (Proverbs 12:4). Yikes! Questions for Reflection: Do my words make my husband well-known “in the gates” (Proverbs 31:23); or conversely, have any of my words caused anyone to have a lesser opinion of him? Have I chosen to be an agreeable helpmate, or have I relentlessly argued my case, including in front of others, like “continual dripping of rain” (Proverbs 27:15)? Can the heart of my husband “safely trust me” (Proverbs 31:11), or has the unpredictability of my emotions shut him down? Have I made decisions as if I have no headship, causing great shame to his wise masculinity and “weakening our prayers”(1 Peter 3:5-7)? Have I shown my husband due respect as he aims to “present me holy” before God (Ephesians 5:25-33)? Has my crown weighed down my husband’s head with concerns that should have been going to the One whose “yoke is light” (Matthew 11:30)? And have I been publicly thankful that “my husband’s head” (Ephesians 5:28) is just the right size and fit for this particular crown (weak edges and all) chosen for him by our sovereign God?