A Virtuous Woman

Okay, so I've got soo much time on my hands waiting for the cable company to get here and install the distractor box (which I've actually gotten used to living without now...blessings come in strange disguises sometimes), so I figured I'd go back to the "work in progress" list that I'm still working on. However, I'd like to address the topic of a virtuous woman first, because I think that we are first called to become the woman of God that He created us to be. Only then should we seek to find a companion, and only in a way that glorifies God and involves prayerful consideration and the involvement of your Christian community.

The qualities attributed to the "ultimate" woman are listed succinctly in Proverbs 31, where the sayings of King Lemuel are repeated by Solomon, who says,
"Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies! Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant's ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household, and plans the day's work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well-known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her, her husband praises her, "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!"
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise."

Proverbs 31:10-31

This passage is such a great illustration of what a Godly woman looks like. She has many qualities that bring praise and admiration to her character and her household, but that which guides her is her fear of the Lord. She keeps His Word close to her heart, and serves her family and her community as she serves her God. By doing so, she remains close to God and is a blessing to those around her, and a reflection of God and His love and compassion. She works on her own, and does not wait around for God's will to reveal itself in every situation, because she is such an avid believer that she knows His word and is careful to act as to point others to Him.

Becoming a virtuous woman is something we all should strive for. Who would not want to be so close to the Lord, such a blessing and honor to Him? It takes discipline and diligence though, and following our own inclinations often leads us away from these in our frivolous pursuit of man-made idols. It takes spending time with Him each day, seeking His presence continually. I once saw a bumper sticker on Facebook that said, "Let my heart be so close to the Lord's that any man seeking me must first seek Him."

So give Him your heart, and He will bless you in all your days, with His presence, His love, and His forgiveness.