I posted a little while back about how Jews view the Proverbs 31 woman. Here’s the link. I’ve been thinking more about how those verses look for us here today. I don’t personally make my own clothes, much less weave the cloth for them, nor do I even grow my own food. I’m sure some of you do those things, to varying degrees, but many don’t. What does it look like for moms today to be a Proverbs 31 woman? A woman of valor?
Here’s my paraphrase of what it might look like if it were written today to someone in our culture:
A woman of valor and strength – who can find one? She is worth far more than gold or diamonds. Her husband relies on her and trusts her. She helps him excel and succeed in life. She helps him and builds him up each and every day and doesn’t tear him down . She shops carefully and without complaint for the food and clothing her family needs. She looks for ways to make the most of her family’s finances, even finding ways to contribute to the family budget herself. She plans ahead for whatever the future may hold. She is willing to work hard and is wise in all she does. She is generous with the poor and needy. She is clothed in strength and dignity and she smiles at the future. She doesn’t fear the days to come because she knows she has done all she can to prepare her family. She is wise and kindly teaches others. She keeps herself busy. Her children and husband love her and trust her because she has created a healthy, happy home for them. Beauty doesn’t last very long, but a woman who fears God is worthy of praise. Let her reap what she has sown and receive the praise she deserves.
What do you do each day that earns you the title “Woman of Valor”? I rented a carpet cleaner and cleaned our carpets (that hadn’t been done in 13 years – ugh!). Woman of valor!
Did you change diapers that smelled like nothing you’d ever conceived of before? Woman of valor!
Did you hold a sick child until he fell asleep? Woman of valor!
Did you make dinner even though it was the last thing you wanted to do? Woman of valor!
Clean the bathroom? Meal plan and shop for your family? Make lesson plans for the next semester of homeschool? Kiss your hubby? Choose kind words over harsh ones?
Woman of valor!
Amy Lynn Simon 