A Proverbs 31 Conversion
Posted by Briana Meade on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
If you've been a Christian woman for any length of time, you've probably heard the Proverbs 31 spiel. In ladies' bible studies, Proverbs 31 is like the ubiquitous chapter that never fails to make an appearance. Whether you are becoming a woman of "character" or a woman of "value" or just, in general, attending a woman's bible study on anything, you are bound to hear "What can we learn about being a woman from Proverbs 31?"
Now, my purpose is not to demean any chapter of the bible. It's just that, whenever I open to Proverbs 31 in my Bible, I always think "Oh.....that ''woman' chapter again." I also guiltily think about how I may not be the "noble" woman of Proverbs 31--that sweet and amazing woman.
If I am having a rough day I skip Proverbs 31 altogether.
However, recently I have been thinking that maybe God knew what was up when he put in Proverbs 31. When I read it again, I had this epiphany that God thinks an awesome woman is.....
An insane multitasker
For example, let's make a list of what this woman does:
She makes clothes (sews eagerly)
Brings tons of food home from the grocery store (like a giant ship or Yukon or minivan)
Gets up at 2 am to feed her starving baby or stays up late to do homework with her procrastinating 16 year-old
Cooks awesome lasagnas
Runs errands (i.e. gives portions to the servants)
Looks up reviews on new washing machines and buys the BEST one at the cheapest price (Considers a field...)
Runs a small business or does part time work to provide for her family (out of her earnings....)
Stays up all night when her kids are sick (her lamp doesn't go out at night)
She volunteers and gives money to charity (opens her arms to the poor...)
Buys warm winter clothes for her family and goes shopping to get the best deals.
Changes the sheets (because who else will? Seriously.)
Provides wisdom and guidance for her kids (Long late night talks...that's mom!)
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
(biblegateway.com) NIV
Holy Cow. Now, you can go two ways with this: all the things this woman does can make you feel guilty (it seems like women of every age struggle with the g-word), or it can make you feel like , hey, we were made to do this. We are awesome at this.
There is no "one" role that women play---in fact, we've always played a million roles. We end up standing in the gap for our kids, for our husband, and for others who are less fortunate. I don't know about you, but I think a lot of women can resonate with the multiple roles they play. It's pretty amazing, huh?
Now, my purpose is not to demean any chapter of the bible. It's just that, whenever I open to Proverbs 31 in my Bible, I always think "Oh.....that ''woman' chapter again." I also guiltily think about how I may not be the "noble" woman of Proverbs 31--that sweet and amazing woman.
If I am having a rough day I skip Proverbs 31 altogether.
However, recently I have been thinking that maybe God knew what was up when he put in Proverbs 31. When I read it again, I had this epiphany that God thinks an awesome woman is.....
An insane multitasker
For example, let's make a list of what this woman does:
She makes clothes (sews eagerly)
Brings tons of food home from the grocery store (like a giant ship or Yukon or minivan)
Gets up at 2 am to feed her starving baby or stays up late to do homework with her procrastinating 16 year-old
Cooks awesome lasagnas
Runs errands (i.e. gives portions to the servants)
Looks up reviews on new washing machines and buys the BEST one at the cheapest price (Considers a field...)
Runs a small business or does part time work to provide for her family (out of her earnings....)
Stays up all night when her kids are sick (her lamp doesn't go out at night)
She volunteers and gives money to charity (opens her arms to the poor...)
Buys warm winter clothes for her family and goes shopping to get the best deals.
Changes the sheets (because who else will? Seriously.)
Provides wisdom and guidance for her kids (Long late night talks...that's mom!)
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
(biblegateway.com) NIV
Holy Cow. Now, you can go two ways with this: all the things this woman does can make you feel guilty (it seems like women of every age struggle with the g-word), or it can make you feel like , hey, we were made to do this. We are awesome at this.
There is no "one" role that women play---in fact, we've always played a million roles. We end up standing in the gap for our kids, for our husband, and for others who are less fortunate. I don't know about you, but I think a lot of women can resonate with the multiple roles they play. It's pretty amazing, huh?