"Matthew Henry, that commentator, said that this (Proverbs 31:10-31) is a looking-glass for ladies that we should desire to look into and to dress ourselves by it. We’ve been reminding each other that, even though this lengthy, detailed description can seem overwhelming and intimidating to those of us who still have feet of clay and are not yet glorified, yet we ought to be encouraged because we know that as women of God, if we’re allowing God to work in our lives, He is sanctifying us.
He is molding us. He’s shaping us. He’s pruning us. He’s making us into this kind of woman who reflects the beauty and the image of the Lord Jesus, for indeed it really is His portrait that we’re looking at here. We’re seeing His heart, His character, His beauty in this picture. "
I will admit that I have been overwhelmed many times by the description of Ms. P31. I've found myself jealous of her and her talents. I've also found myself envious of one possession she has, maidservants (verse 15). I have often thought, Well of course she can do all that she has built in CHILDCARE! And a cook! And a maid! She also probably had lots of extended family and neighbors to help when she had the flu or needed to do her holiday shopping (for the Passover Feast or whatever!). Ms. P31 probably had lots of good friends to sit and pour out her heart as they did their laundry together. I imagine she had women who would hug her when she cried and tell her the truth when she needed to be held accountable. I will admit I have often idealized her life imagining it full to the brim with community. A community of women who were there to help each other no matter what the need. And I have often thought it was not only her relationship with God but the women around her who made her strong. I will admit often I have thought that I can never be Ms. P31 without a community of women to help me.
However, the thought I have this morning is that although living in a tight knit community of women would be ideal in some respects and a gift from God, God is not limited in fashioning my character if I don't have a gaggle of gal pals. Many women, godly P31 women, have been severely isolated from others. I think of the way Laura Ingells Wilder describes her mother in "Little House in the Big Woods". Now there is a P31 woman! She worked hard, was gentle with her family, her husband had everything he needed to be successful and she had a seemingly strong relationship with God. And Mother Ingells was completely isolated in that book! For help and company she had her husband, her very young daughters 24/7/almost 365 and that was it! I think once in the book they go to visit relatives for a couple of days but that was extremely rare. She didn't even have a telephone much less email to reach out an receive at least encouragement from her female friends and relatives. One part of the book always haunts my mind is when the entire family gets deathly ill after eating some watermelon grown with bad water. There's a scene Laura describes where she is barely crawling across the floor, burning with fever, trying to get everyone in the family a drink of water. Mother Ingells couldn't even get out of bed to get a drink of water for her quickly dehydrating family! I believe it was doctor who is going from house to house checking for people who had become sick from the watermelon that saved them. Otherwise the family would have died! Even without a daily community of women around her Mother Ingells was an excellent wife.
Another isolated P31 woman I can think of is Anne Grahm Lotz, Billy and Ruth Grahm's daughter. I heard her speak a few years ago at a conference and she talked about a time when she was a young wife and her husband lived in some very cold, isolated European country (Iceland I think?). I believe her husband was in the military and he would be gone for months at a time leaving her alone with 2 small boys in a tiny apartment. She didn't speak the language and had no woman friends or family close by for years. Yes, YEARS! But at that conference she talked about how close she drew to God in those times and how He drew close to her. I can't say for sure but I imagine she was walking the P31 path during those lonely, isolated years.
This morning as I listened to Dr. De Moss and pondered the things she said I realized that I needed to let go of the idea that having a community of women is necessary for me to walk the P31 path. It would be a fantastic blessing to become a part of a community of women with whom I could share the burden of homemaking. However, God is not limited and can enable me to be an excellent woman today with or without that community. And I am forever grateful for the dear friends and family I have miles away but I can still communicate with in a flash by email, phone or even FB! I do have a community of wonderful, godly women who encourage me and I will not take them for granted! Love you sisters!!!!!!!
In light of these realizations, I confessed my failures and excuses to God this morning and am making a new start. I will stumble many times in my efforts to walk along the P31 path but I trust God to empower and enable me every step of the way!
Here is the version of Proverbs 31:10-31 I read this morning (NIV):
10 c]">[c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
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 dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
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 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Amen.
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