I read not so long ago on the blog of another Christian homemaker an article about the Proverbs 31 woman. It wasn't horrible, but made a big point that "the Proverbs 31 Woman had help". At first, I thought about it and realized that was true. Women back then, especially women of wealth that Soloman would have known, usually had many servants. They also had extended families around.
This made me think two things:
1) we are missing out as a culture not having extended families around and involved
and 2) that "had help" statement is bull crap.
We are modern women in a modern society. We have help- they just happen to be appliances. We have running water, toilets, diapers, dishwashers for our dishes, laundry machines for our clothes, fridges to keep our food cold, stores to buy ready-made food, ovens and microwaves to cook our food, even schools we send our kids to.
The problem is women are no longer proud of who we should be. Feminists are so obsessed with being equal that they forget that the difference is what is most important. Plus, we have the best role. We don't have to be stuck working away from those we love. We get to be with our children and raise them up (a mighty task), we get to serve others in all we do (a very Christ-like role), support and encourage our spouses and family and friends. What joy we should be taking! What hope for the future we should have! How sad is it that so many miss out by being discontent!
I am thankful I get to strive to be the Proverbs 31 woman and with help, support and love fromthe Lord and my family I will get closer to it everyday.
Proverbs 31:10- (ESV)
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than v jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She a opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
