The Proverbs 31 Woman

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
    but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
 Reward her for all she has done.
    Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. 

–Proverbs 31:30-31 NLT

If you had told me two weeks ago, ‘life is going to be radically different,’ I would never have imagined that I would be facing what I face today. My mother’s stroke has reminded me once again of the frailty of this life and the strength of the one and only Savior we cling to daily. The strength of my mother is amazing. Battling back from this setback will take time, but she has come out of the gate swinging.

There have been times in the past that we, like most mothers and daughters, have had opinions and viewpoints that didn’t agree with one another. However, this I know, we have never disagreed at who should be in charge of our life -Jesus. My parents raised me up in a traditional Southern Baptist church, and my Christian roots run deep because they took the time to rear their children to know the Lord. I promise you, nothing stood in the way of attending church each and every Sunday. Did I stray when I was older? Sure, a little. We all stray from God at different moments in life, but I have returned to that ‘old, rugged cross’ time and time again.

So, as I have watched her over the last two weeks, I have seen a bit of sadness and fear, but I have also seen a spirit of determination. The kind of determination that comes from way down deep, the kind of determination that can only come from someone who fears the Lord and loves Him deeply. My mother is a Proverbs 31 woman. She was a faithful wife, married to my dad for over 52 years. She raised her children to know the Lord. She has conducted herself in an honorable way throughout her life. Does she have faults? Absolutely, we all do. Nevertheless, she is a woman who acknowledges her God and has attempted to walk with Him to the best of her ability. So this week, and every day, I will honor my mother as the Commandments instruct, and help her in her time of need. All her life she has focused on her family and now, we will focus on her.

I strive to be a Proverbs 31 woman. Not everyday do I represent that well, but I am determined to honor God with my life. Godly women are an asset to the Christian faith. True women of faith kindly stand in the background until God sees fit to raise them up. Behind every pastor, that is passionate about his calling, you will most likely find a Proverbs 31 woman. They are also present in homes all across the world, working to carry out God’s will in everything they do. Thank goodness for Proverbs 31 women. 

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. –Romans 14:8 NIV

Blessings!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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