The Proverbs 31 Woman

Ever heard about this amazing woman? You can read about her in most of chapter 31 in book of Proverbs in the Bible. There we read incredible character traits to aim for. They are pretty lofty, but inspiring. I love the one about her being a prudent business woman in addition to nobley nurturing her family. Check out a few verses:

10 [b]Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar.

And

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.

And

22 She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.

I wanted to teach my little girl these wonderful attributes. How a woman can be both a leader and a supporter, wise and trusting. How central she is to her family, and how far-reaching her influence was. One of the things I found to help me teach this was a lovely children's book called When I'm a Mommy, by Ginger Fulton. It was charmingly illustrated and communicated the Proverbs examples in contemporary language with simple language perfect for a preschooler.

We nestled together on the couch to read our new book. She eagerly listened and absorbed each illustration with wide eyes. I loved reading with her in my arms when I could look at her profile and see those sweet cheeks and rosebud lips focused on the pages. Soon we came to the part paraphrasing verse 15: "She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls."

Somberly, my four-year-old turned and looked up into my eyes. "Well, you're not a Proverbs 31 Mommy because you don't get up that early."

Okay, so I like to sleep in. These verses are still worth some refreshed inspiration!