What Is A Proverbs 31 Woman Wannabe?

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.

There is no "MORE" to this post.

Photo courtesy of litlnemo

A True Proverbs 31 Woman

As a Christian wife and mother, I find myself wanting to be a Proverbs 31 Woman. I strive to be all that she is. In doing so, I often find that I am trying to be all that she was, all at one time. Do you find yourself doing this? Do you find that you try to be a homemaker, business person, a giver of wise council, profitable in your dealings, able to spin fabrics or do other arts and crafts to beautify your home, and be faithful to the Lord all at once? The Proverbs 31 woman is said to be more precious than rubies, because of all that she does. I challenge you though, to find anywhere in Proverbs 31 that states she did all these things at the same time.

So often, I think we, as women living in the 21st century, try too hard to be all that society tells us we should be, while also attempting to keep that Word of God uppermost in our lives. I think that we forget that society is not the ruler by which we should measure ourselves. When we fall into the trap of perfectionistic performance, we subject ourselves to all manner of feelings that lead us into sinful behaviors and to have sinful feelings. Feelings of worry, anxiety, worthlessness, anger, self-pity, and on and on. How can we be givers of wise council, if the lives we lead to not illustrate that which would give glory to the Lord?

What happens to you when you feel worried, anxious, or unworthy? Do you, like me, take it out on those closest to you? Do you cease to be a mother whose "children stand and bless her" Proverbs 31:28 (NLT) or a wife whose "husband praises her." Proverbs 31:28 (NLT) Are you "clothed in strength and dignity, laughing without fear of the future"? Are your words "wise" and do you "give instructions with kindness"? Proverbs 31:25,26 (NLT)

We that are called to be wives and/or mothers are not called to perfection. We are called to be examples to our children of what Godly living is all about, and to be helpmates to our husbands. We are also called to be Titus 2 women: to "teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." Titus 2:3-5 We cannot do this if we are trying so hard that we miss the prize.

---Lord, I pray today that you show me the path to serenity and balance in my life. Convict me of my sinful desires to be perfect in every way. Show me where I can improve. Be merciful in your correction, Lord, in the same way that I am to be to my children. I desire first and foremost to serve you and to mirror Christ's love to my family and to all I come into contact with. I thank you for your guidance every day.
In Jesus Holy Name I Pray.
Amen