Most women I know want to be a “Proverbs 31” woman with all of the qualities that are so eloquently described in Proverbs 31.
This woman is a fruitful woman! Her fruitfulness stems from all of the virtues that are pointed out: Good judgment. Uses her talents and skills. Hard worker. Planful. Strong. Charitable. God-fearing. Resourceful. Dignified. Wise. Classy in style. Cares for her household and the needy in her midst. Savvy. Plants from her harvest. Keeps busy and not idle.
Who can find a woman of worth? Far beyond jewels is her value. Her husband trusts her judgment; he does not lack income. She brings him profit, not loss, all the days of her life. She seeks out wool and flax and weaves with skillful hands. Like a merchant fleet, she secures her provisions from afar. She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household, a portion to her maidservants. She picks out a field and acquires it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength; she exerts her arms with vigor. She enjoys the profit from her dealings; her lamp is never extinguished at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. She is not concerned for her household when it snows—all her charges are doubly clothed. She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing. Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land. She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth in wisdom; kindly instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, too, praises her: “Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all.” Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Acclaim her for the work of her hands, and let her deeds praise her at the city gates.
How do we grow into being this woman? Keep our eyes on this passage! Print it out. Look back on it often.
It has things to teach us women about what it takes to be beautifully fruitful in what matters to our Lord. In our waiting times, we can reflect on these characteristics and practice them so that we too are eventually molded into this kind of woman who is worthy to be praised and blessed!