“There are many fine women, but you are better than all of them.”
Proverbs 31:29
A teacher had just given her class a lesson on magnets. So children she asked the class, “My name starts with an M and I pick up things. What am I?”. A little boy shot up his hand and said, “A mother!”.
How I remember those days when the above was so true. Mum did just about everything, Today if we were to list some of the jobs mothers do, I wonder if these would be a part of them?
- Chauffeur
- Gardener
- Family counsellor
- Maintenance worker
- Cleaning woman
- Housekeeper/chef
- Errand runner
- Bookkeeper
- Interior decorator
- Caterer
- Dietician
- Secretary
- Hostess
So how do women become ideal in this 21st century? Believe it or not, we are given some advice that is 3,000 years old. Proverbs 31:10-31 tells us what a woman and in particular a wife and mother was like.
Many outstanding godly women appear throughout the Bible, but the virtuous woman described here merits special praise.
For centuries women have been amazed and challenged by her life. You see we are not told who she was but what she was.
What was this woman? Proverbs 31:10-31 emphasises a different quality about this excellent woman that should help us understand her.
What are these qualities?
- One who desires a pleasant appearance (v. 22),
- Has a godly character (vv. 10–12, 17, 25, 30, 31),
- Is an efficient homemaker (vv. 13–15, 21, 27),
- A loving helper to her husband (vv. 11, 23, 28),
- A wise mother (v. 28),
- A compassionate community leader (vv. 20, 26) with talents and abilities (vv. 16, 18, 19, 24),
- A woman worthy of honour and commendation (vv. 28–31)
Something more is told about this woman in that these qualities are put into action. This woman used her hands, mouth, eyes and heart. These ordinary things God had given her were the secret or not so secret of her success.
As we head towards Mothers Day let us give thanks for the role that ladies perform every day of their lives.
Stay safe and Blessed.