Worthy Woman

An excellent wife, who can find?

For her worth is far above jewels.



The heart of her husband trusts in her,

And he will have no lack of gain.



She does him good and not evil,

All the days of her life.



She looks for wool and flax

And works with her hands in delight.



She is like merchant ships;

She brings her food from afar.



She rises also while it is still night

And gives food to her household

And portions to her maidens.



She considers a field and buys it;

From her earnings she plants a vineyard.



She girds herself with strength

And makes her arms strong.



She senses that her gain is good;

Her lamp does not go out at night.



She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hands grasp the spindle.



She extends her hand to the poor,

And she stretches out her hands to the needy.



She is not afraid of the snow for her household,

For all her household are clothed with scarlet.



She makes coverings for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.



Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.



She makes linen garments and sells them;

And supplies belts to the tradesmen.



Strength and dignity are her clothing,

And she smiles at the future.



She opens her mouth in wisdom,

And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.



She looks well to the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.



Her children rise up and bless her;

Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:



"Many daughters have done nobly,

But you excel them all."



Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.



Give her the product of her hands,

And let her works praise her in the gates.



Proverbs 31 Woman



Proverbs 31: 10-31



WOW, how do you feel after reading that. Usually after ever time I read that I feel like I need to go plant a garden or get out my sewing machine and get to work, right? One thing that is so awesome about the passage is that it never mentions what this woman looks like. In our society where we put so much stress on how attractive we are, it is interesting that this woman described is so very attractive not by her physical appearance, but by her character. I love that! Wouldn't we be such better moms if we took away the importance of what we look like and exchanged if for focusing on the importance of our character. Who we are toward our husbands, children, and who we are as a representation of Christ.

Think about it...

Maybe even take up a challenge: Give up something that benefits your physical appearance and instead replace it with something to boost your character.

Example:
Don't go buy that cute shirt you saw last week, instead pray for an opportunity to give the money to someone who is in need.