Proverbs 31 Revisited

Women, how we can compete and compare and criticize: but today, on this Sabbath, we celebrate!
O woman of valour, where do we find her?
We find her here.
We find you here.
You are precious and so very cherished.

A Woman of Valour, who can find? She is more precious than corals.

Woman of integrity, I see you! You are trustworthy, looking for the good in others and building them up. You believe the best in those around you. Others grow and blossom because of your influence in their lives. We draw close to you because you know the one who created each one of us and, miraculously, you too see us as he does. You champion your sister, your husband, your friend, your coworker.

Her husband places his trust in her and profits only thereby. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

Woman, you work so hard. I see you. We find you at work, at school, at the office, at home, in the shop. On the Mondays and the everydays. We want to work with you, beside you, for you, because your kindness and wisdom flavour all you do. You consider the whole picture, the whole person. Whether raised in prayer or busy with work, your hands do it as an expression of worship.

She seeks out wool and flax and cheerfully does the work of her hands. She is like the trading ships, bringing food from afar. She gets up while it is still night to provide food for her household, and a fair share for her staff.
She opens her mouth with wisdom and a lesson of kindness is on her tongue.

Woman of compassion. You are full of heart, love, and passion. Moved by the Holy Spirit, you take the van, go to the street, serve in your home: delivering, preparing, feeding the sick, the family, the small, the elderly. You cradle a hand in yours: small, strong, withered. Your hands stroke the needs of the heart.

She opens her hands to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

Woman of creativity, ingenuity, and provision, I see you. You make the most of the opportunities around you, listening for his guidance and direction. You are an entrepreneur: your hands stretch for your computer, your broom, your tools, a child.   You create, you provide, you make beautiful.

She considers a field and purchases it, and plants a vineyard with the fruit of her labours.
She senses that her trade is profitable; her light does not go out at night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and her palms hold the spindle.
She makes and sells linens; she supplies the merchants with sashes.

Warrior: woman of strength and fortitude. I know you question this. I see you. You are strong. You are determined. You draw strength from the giver and creator of all things. When giving in, when giving up would be understandable, explainable, forgivable:  you are powerful.

She invests herself with strength and makes her arms powerful.

Your home is a ready expression of His love, felt in the creak of the floorboards, the envelopment of the walls, the safety and belonging permeating your space. Your love is understated and foundational, rich and personal: unmistakable and identifiable to all who have eyes to see.

She has no fear of the snow for her household, for all her household is dressed in fine clothing. She makes her own bedspreads; her clothing is of fine linen and luxurious cloth.
She looks after the conduct of her household and never tastes the bread of laziness.

Your character is known in the city, we see you, but your loves know it first and best. Your husband’s confidence boasts in who you are; your children call you Mama, Mother, Mom. Your friends call you true, your neighbours, a blessing.

Her husband is known at the gates, where he sits with the elders of the land.
Her children rise up and make her happy; her husband praises her.

You stand out in the crowd because of your trust and dependence on God in all that you do, in all that you are. You know He holds your future. You know He holds you. And you smile.

She is robed in strength and dignity, and she smiles at the future.
Many women have excelled, but you excel them all!

O Women of Valour, we don’t compete or compare or criticize, we celebrate your kindness and generosity, your moxie and spunk, your creativity and dauntless nerve. But more than all this is your dependency on God, rather than on yourself.

Grace is elusive and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears God — she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

“eshet chayil” 
O woman of valour!