I have a confession to make. I used to hate reading or hearing about Proverbs 31...you know the one...beginning in around verse 10 where reality seemingly ceases to exist. I sat quietly (not an easy task, mind you) as countless lessons were told about how we should all strive to be this woman; craftsperson, merchant, trader, administrator, business owner, philanthropist, salesperson, chef, and seamstress. She also manages to possess the traits of dignity, a sense of humor and wisdom while maintaining a happy home where her husband and children praise her. Did I mention she does all this with no apparent time for sleep? Can you feel me on the bitterness??
I have since come to a better understanding of these verses and I won't ask whether you agree or disagree because - quite frankly - it's my blog...but I think God intends for us to see ourselves not in the whole of this extraordinary woman, but in the parts of her that fit us. I came to this conclusion after reading many times and spending time in prayer trying to fathom how I could be more like this woman - who has been long-revered over the ages (wow! when was the last time you got to put that phrase into a sentence?) I came to the conclusion that the Proverbs 31 woman is not a distinct person we should strive to be, but one that we should all seek to find within ourselves. Whether you are outside working in the world as a craftsperson, a merchant, a trader, an administator, a salesperson, a business owner, or if you stay home as a chef, seamstress, laundress, teacher etc., if you do it for the Lord's glory - you are the Proverbs 31 woman!
Take time to listen to the still small voice that resides within all of us who call Him Lord. In all the things you do, glorify Him. Follow David's lead - even with all his faults - and seek to be a woman after God's own heart!
2 comments:
thank you for you blog. It was very powerful and has touched my heart more than I can explain. It has answered a question that has been on my mind for some time now. Thank You!
HEllo, my wise, wise friend. You know, in traditional Jewish homes A Woman of Valor is sung by husbands to their wives every Friday night as part of the ceremony that accompanies Shabbat dinner (the sabbath meal). I've danced and struggled and striven to be that woman for years, wondering how on earth we are supposed to do and be all those things...and on my better days, I can shut up and listen to the Still Small Voice and it tells me the same thing you do...that there are parts of us in this passage from Proverbs...different parts at different times....
And, during th Jewish holiday we're in now, we read Ecclesiastes (....there is a time for every purpose under heaven) which just reminds me to be patient with those aspects of the Woman of Valor that are mine to tend to today, and to, as you said, offer them up....
If someone had told me 25 years (ugh) ago that you and I would be blogging about God, I would have laughed and laughed and then said "what's a blog." What a gift to meet old friends and celebrate shared wisdom. Thanks for the important reminder to be patient with myself and remember what all that Valor is really about. ***Laurie
Post a Comment