This post is for Ryan (the atheist) and for anyone else that wants to know exactly what I mean when I say I am a "Proverbs 31 Woman Wannabe".First, I must share with you what Proverbs 31 says about this kind of woman:
Virtuousness:
Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
Pro 31:12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
Industriousness:
Pro 31:13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
Pro 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
Pro 31:19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
Pro 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
Pro 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
Homemaker:
Pro 31:14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
Pro 31:15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
Pro 31:21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
Pro 31:22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Pro 31:27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Godliness:
Pro 31:17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
Pro 31:20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Pro 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
Pro 31:25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
Pro 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Pro 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
Pro 31:29 "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all."
Pro 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Now, to be sure, I do not fit every single one of these verses. But I would like to. I do not spin my own fabrics, and that's something I'm not so sure I would want to do. However, the idea of being able to make clothing for my family, that is both pretty and fashionable, and saves our family money is something that at some point I hope to do.
I do not have maidservants, either. That would be nice, but I'd probably just end up talking to them all day, rather than gettig anything done. I'm just a social person that way.
I do want to be a virtuous wife. I want my husband and children to praise me; to in essence be able to say truthfully that I am a good wife and mother.
I yearn to reach out to the poor, and to help them. I pray that I can always speak about my Lord with kindness and gentleness.
I strive each day not to be lazy or idle (though I don't always succeed.)
I pray each day that my husband will be successful in everything he endeavors, and he is (though not necessarily through anything that I do.) I pray each day that I am a help to him in that area, and never a hindrance. I strive each day to earn his trust, and to not do evil towards him, so that he always trusts me.
It is always on my mind that my outer "beauty" may fade, and not everyone will see me as charming, however that will not matter, because I will have beauty on the inside. My Lord will have provided it.
I would also like to help my husband provide for our family and our future, by making money doing something worthwhile, that also glorifies the Lord.
And lastly, but most definitely not least, I want to always glorify the Lord, and continue to walk the narrow path of His ways.
This to me is what it means to be a Proverbs 31 Woman, and why I am a Wannabe. I probably will never actually make it to Proverbs 31 Woman status in my life, and I doubt that the original Proverbs 31 Woman did it all at once- we already know she didn't do it all on her own. If you strive to be a Proverbs 31 Woman, consider yourself welcomed to the "Wannabe club". All Wannabe's welcome. If you've already arrived, and are no longer a Wannabe, please do share your success story, I'm sure we'd all like to hear how we can succeed too. Blessing to you all.
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Photo courtesy of litlnemo
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Very wonderful and insightful post! Love it!~ A Wannabee and a Trying to Be! LOL
ReplyDeleteA lot to live up to, but what a worthy set of aspirations! I'm definitely still a wannabe...
ReplyDeleteA loving and strong wife in the home makes the husband a better man, and brings out the best in him. And a good man loves, and supports his wife in whatever she does and brings out the best in her as a woman.
ReplyDeleteHow true is that!
Modern women decry Proverbs 31, but many do not see just how true it is that God has designed both man and woman for specific roles within the family, and that this works great things for our married lives.
twinklemom and Michelle, thanks for stopping by, and for the support in all we as Christian wives try to do.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah, You know, I've never understood the feminist movement. Though I do feel like a strong woman, with worth in my own respect, I honestly feel like my greatest worth, aside from being a child of God, is as a wife and a mother. I have gotten so many benefits that I never would have imagined, by trying to emulate the Proverbs 31 Woman. That and I like being protected and cherished, and some may say spoiled. I love that my husband buys me flowers and opens all my doors for me. If he didn't, I don't know what I would do. I've gotten so used to him opening doors for me that anytime I am a passenger in someone else's car, I have to remind myself to open my own door! :) Anyway, I love being a biblical wife. And I love the fact that my husband is a biblical husband. Thanks for the comments! Blessings and Shalom!
Feminism did some good in that it helped to reinstate the position of women with relation to men in society, i.e. side-by-side instead of woman behind man.
ReplyDeleteWhat is wrong with feminism is that it is now trying to supplant men in every area of society, even in the family. So, having moved alongside men in society, they now want to 'make up for lost time' and move before men.
I don't see either men before women or women before men in standing is Biblical.
You're a very blessed woman, Shalene. I do all that for my wife too even after 10 years too, ha ha! Even before I was married, I have been quite well indoctrinated by Paul's instruction as to how husbands should love their wives during my days in the youth group.
Shalom Aleichem.
What a wonderful post Shalene. You brought a smile to my face- thank you! You certainly have a worthy goal - God bless you sister!
ReplyDelete(don't get me started on feminism because I won't shut up) :) I'm highly against it!
I lack in some of those areas. Some I cannot do because I don't have children. I have no talent or skill in making anything. (unless you include wire wrapped jewelry which I don't) I can "burn" in the kitchen though! I've noticed that sometimes my husband's reactions are guided by mine. (if I"m angry, he gets angry, if I'm sad, he's sad) So I try to handle everything with Biblical principles in mind. I remind him of forgiveness, praying for our enemies, and to be strong through trials. And he also helps me. There's a lot more to say on this subject but then I'd be writing a book. :)
Blessings
Carol, wire wrapped jewelry most certainly does count! It's making things that COULD help to bring income to your family, if you so chose. That is the reason the Proverbs 31 Woman did it(partly anyway.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting. Blessings to you!