A fresh look... (part 3)

This is the final installment of our look at the Proverbs 31 “Description of a Worthy Woman”.  I hope you have been as encouraged as I have been to see that God’s heart for His girls is that we are free to love, nourish, and set healthy boundaries and priorities in life so we truly thrive!  His heart is NOT to weigh us down with unrealistic pressures to live up to standards of perfection (and exhaustion!). We conclude today with a look at Prov. 31:25-31 from the NASB.  Once again, my thoughts are in italics.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

           She walks in confidence and peace, assured she will always be taken care of.  She delights in the future instead of dreading it.  She has unwavering hope and she models this for others.

26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

           She is a wise mentor, teaching the truth in love.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

           She has the right and healthy perspective of her role in her family and she faithfully accomplishes what she is meant to do.  “Not eating the bread of idleness” doesn’t mean working your fingers to the bone and burning out.  It means accepting the right responsibilities.

28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

           She fosters health and happiness in her home that benefits everyone.

29 “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”

           She has the love, affection, and support of her husband who builds her up and encourages her to shine. 

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

           She is a contagious example of one who loves and serves the Lord above all else.  Her relationship with Him fuels her success in character and life and brings a beauty far deeper and more valuable than mere physical beauty. 

31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

           She deserves and gains life-giving results from her efforts.  She will be rewarded.  Praise and encourage, compliment and build up this worthy woman (and women who share any of these qualities)!  Everyone needs words of life spoken to them.

I am inspired by her example in these verses of one who lives in such a way as to make a positive impact on the world around her.  She is setting an example for the onlookers in her life of how to be healthy and content, and to flourish in her relationships.  This kind of life is hard to ignore!  

Do you have women in your life who model this?  Have you seen areas of growth in your own life where others can follow your example to live more freely and confidently?  Are you raising your daughters, nieces, and other girls in your life to throw off unnecessary weights of “perfection”, or are you inadvertently reinforcing a skewed perspective of the standards set by the Proverbs 31 woman?  What are your expectations of yourself?