31 days. Wow.
I’m as surprised as you that I’ve finished it. More so, actually.
And, if that thought isn’t overwhelming enough today, we have to look at Proverbs 31, which might just be the most intimidating chapter of the Bible for moms like me.
Because this woman rocked.
Let me just remind you what God’s word says about her:
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings, she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted just reading about her, much less trying to be her.
Truly, if this were a checklist, I wouldn’t get past item 1.
But all of these things, these characteristics that belong to the wife of noble character, these actions and activities….the things that sometimes intimidate me and make me feel inadequate as a wife and mother…..they are not what I’m taking away from Proverbs 31 today.
This is:
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)
When I was young and single and never dreamed I would have four kids, I was blessed by the friendship of a young mom with four of her own. She invited me into the daily life of her family and was humble enough to let me see her weaknesses as well as her strengths.
Watching her day by day as she mothered her children taught me something I’ll never forget.
She didn’t have to be like someone else. She didn’t have to act like someone else.
She didn’t have to tick all the boxes off a to-do list of perfection.
She just had to be herself and love God.
Her love for God spilled over to her family, to her friends, to me.
And, because of her, I began to think I might be able to be a mom after all.
Because when it’s all said and done, my children will not remember all the details of our day-to-day, but they will remember the love.
They will remember my love for God, my love for their father, and my love for them.
Or my lack of it.
Because even if I can do all the things the woman in Proverbs 31 did “but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2)
—————————————-
I’m so glad I took part in the 31 Day Challenge! If you missed any of this month’s posts, you can find them here.