Well I went to bed last night....hrhmm at cough, cough, 3:30. But when I got to bed, I could not get this scripture off my mind. Many years ago, when cross stitching was my thing, I cross-stitched this Proverb. As a young married girl, with out my Mom to guide me ( she died of Breast Cancer when I was 20 ) I really needed guidance in how to be a good wife and mother. What better place to turn to than, Proverbs 31. The Virtuous Woman! So, here I am again, reflecting on what exactly that means....So here is the whole section on what she looks like:
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Remember, you are just eavesdropping on what the Lord is showing me, so I don't claim to have arrived here by any means! But I am gonna take this a little slow.. like just reflect on the first verse, verse 10. Noble Character, my bible says an excellent wife, who can find one? Well they are out there, but they are hard to find. Not only are we as Moms missing the mark way too often, but we are not raising our girls to be of "Noble Character". I have a 19 year old daughter, who loves the Lord, for which I am so thankful, but I know, this is an area I have more often that not, failed at. Really showing her, and guiding her, into this thinking. We are so busy, so selfish, so uninterested in God's way, way too many times. I am thankful that we know, we can ask anything in his will and he will give it to us. So ask today, that you ( and I ) will become more like the Proverbs 31 Woman. It will not only bless you, but bless your family (and for sure your husband). And for you gals who are still single, you are not off the hook. He still wants you to have these spiritual qualities. You are more likely than not, someones spiritual mother. There is someone who is looking to you, or at you, to see how you respond to everyday situations. After all, isn't that true for all of us. We need to reflect these qualities in our everyday life. That's where we live! And to be of more value to Him that Ruby's..well now, thats a thought. Yesterday, I had to do a few things on the computer for my hubby and later, I had to help him find some things he was looking for, telling him where I thought he would have put them, and I thought then, "Yep, my job is secure here, he can't use the computer without me, and needs me to help him find the catsup behind the milk in the fridge." See I am of great value to him. That's what we want right? To be of value to our spouses? So instead of getting frustrated, remember the worth of being a Proverbs 31 woman. So as I continue to grow in His Grace, won't you come with me in this journey?
