If you're familiar with Proverbs 31, then you know the character of a noble woman. (If not, then please read it quickly at the bottom of this blog entry.) Now many women I know have said that the woman as described here does not apply today and that these are ridiculous expectations to have for one woman. Some would even say that it's not fair that the woman is being asked to cook, clean, work, raise the kids, make her man look good, be up before everyone in the house and likely the last to lay down also. And honestly, I would agree with them. BUT that was until I gave it a little more thought and realized that we should be proud to have such high expectations bestowed upon us by God himself.
***DISCLAIMER***
I am NOT basing men in the following section...simply identifying why God could expect so much of a woman. Moving on...
Let's think about women throughout history and even in today's society. We all can hunamimously agree that women have been the backbone of every nation and especially of these men. We have the natural ability to "just do it". It doesn't matter what obstacles we face or what our situations look like we as women have this attitude that we are going to get through it. Now taking it a step further...We are unselfish and have the ability to humble ourselves (at least some of the time). Women can and usually will put others before themselves, meaning their family, and women will put aside their own desires for the benefit of the household. I've witnessed that in my mother and countless other "noble" women. Lastly, think about howmany men leave their families - and not necessarily after a divorce and a custody battle, but men that just leave their families because, perhaps, they can't take the pressure. You don't hear many stories about women doing that, BUT what you do hear is the story of women that step up to the plate and head their households, playing mom and dad, working 2 or 3 jobs, while getting kids through school and up for church. I say that not any woman, only a noble woman can do all that whether or not she's alone to do it. So what am I saying ladies? I'm saying that though we don't even realize it we have the exact characteristics as the biblical noble woman in us naturally so we might as well embrace the title and carry it proudly. Afterall, the scripture does end with, "Give her the reward she has earned..."
Proverbs 31:10 - 31 (NIV)
10 [a] 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.
December 31st doesn’t give you a new year; January 1st doesn’t give you a new year. It’s not the changing of a calendar that gets you a new year. It’s the changing of a mindset; it’s the changing of an attitude; it’s the changing of your spirit; It’s the changing of your heart. You could have a new year in the middle of the year. Whenever you you’ve got a new mind, you’ve got a new year--T.D. Jakes
