I've been trying to figure out how to write this article for a while. It's not in my typical, political style; it delves more into what I consider "mushy" territory. But now, trying to retain a modicum of dignity, I respond to the other side of an issue that I've seen many women write about. Thanks to a good friend, I finally know how to phrase it. Many Christian women are searching for their Boaz, but as a Christian man, I thought I'd provide my thoughts on what I'm looking for. Essentially, I am looking for my Ruth, and these are the characteristics I believe fit her.

She's godly and loves God

Now, you may be thinking "What? Goes to church every Sunday?". And I'd have to say, no. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian or godly any more than standing in a hospital makes you a doctor. BUT she won't use that as an excuse to stay out of church. It's important. But church attendance isn't what I consider godliness.

What godliness essentially means is that she seeks God in all that she does (Proverbs 3:6), loves God far more than anything, even me (Matthew 22:37), and prioritizes God first and everything else second.

She's kind, loving, and forgiving

When someone puts God first in his or her life, I believe that he or she will be kind, loving, and forgiving. Godly does not mean perfect. That is an impossible standard. No one in history besides Jesus has ever been perfect. I'll admit it. I'm not perfect by any means, and I'm okay with that as long as I can keep getting better, steadily. One of my goals is to continually grow closer to God, but I will fail. It's human nature.

She isn't perfect

Yes, you read that correctly. I DO NOT WANT a perfect woman. Firstly, it's because there's no such thing as a perfect person. Secondly, I couldn't do anything whatsoever. Men and women are supposed to complement each other. In general, men are physically strong and fulfill a physical need, and women are probably emotionally healthier than guys and fulfill an emotional need. If one of those two are perfect, the other can't fulfill his or her purpose.

The Apostle Paul describes the man as "the head of his wife" just as Christ is the "head of the church." That means that, yes, the man is the leader, but he's also the protector. That doesn't mean that he is the master of his wife; the man is also a servant to his wife. Christ showed this when He served the church. John 13:1-17 is a good example of this. They are supposed to communicate, but the man is to make the final decision. How does that make sense? Doesn't your head make decisions and take care of the rest of your body?

If you are perfect, it'd be useless to fulfill the role I have because you will have it done; I'll have no purpose. As a Christian man, I'll be in a quandary. I won't be able to do my job. Of course, I don't have to actually worry about that because no one is perfect. Imperfect would be perfect to me.

She helps me spiritually and lets me serve

Women have many roles, just as men do, both biblically and outside the Bible. But the Bible defines the woman's role as the following: helpers (Genesis 2:18), being respectful (which also means being appreciative - Ephesians 5:33), loving the husband, and being submissive to his leadership. A man's role is defined as the following: being a leader (although not a master), loving the wife unconditionally, and serving the wife.

Personally, I will always need help growing spiritually. Like I said previously, I am determined to keep growing in Christ throughout my life, and my Ruth will be helpful in that endeavor. Also, being a helper would mean allowing me to serve her as well and not constantly refusing to be served.

She's smart and wise

Wisdom isn't a 4.0 GPA. It's not being a doctor either. Wisdom and intelligence as I see them are the entire theme of this entire post - honoring and loving Jesus who died for the sins of the world. It's loving God and obeying Him. I don't know about you, but that sounds like Ruth to me.