I have heard of women who are of the view that the Proverbs 31 woman is an imagination of the author and never existed and can never exist. Such claims are based on the fact that this Proverbs 31 woman seems to have everything under control, extremely multifaceted, very busy at work, at home and seems to be a community champion in whatever she does. The argument further claims that this Proverbs 31 woman is just too busy to even have a life of her own. Some people also believe that since the Proverbs 31 woman was literally doing everything, it is possible that she was married to a lazy man who does nothing but sit at the city gates to receive compliments. The truth is, I have personally witnessed women who have transformed their families, homes, societies, workplaces/businesses, and still have enough quality time with their families. Such women are married to virtuous men who have also transformed their families, homes, societies, workplaces/businesses and still spend quality time with their families. The average 21 century woman does everyday multitasking. She takes care of the home (husband and kids if she has), works full or part-time (or is a stay-home mother who busies herself each day to make her home clean and comfy), engaged in church or other community organisations, and does other things to keep her home running.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. (Proverbs 31:21)
The desire of most women is to ensure that their homes are homely for their families, friends and anyone who pays them a visit. She provides weather appropriate clothing for her children. For example, "when it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet (Proverbs 31:21). Her home making skills extend to even the poor and needy: "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy" (Proverbs 31:20). Her interior decor is on point: "She makes coverings for her bed" (Proverbs 31: 22a). The 21st century woman does not necessarily create the bedding or other interior decor. She gets them from the shop and decorates her house well. The Proverbs 31 woman has a sense of good fashion: "she is clothed in fine linen and purple" (Proverbs 31:22b). She doesn't wear shabby clothes and her focus is to be modest. She knows how to blend colors and she is not excessive. In fact, this woman is inwardly "clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come" (Proverbs 31:25).
Other than making her home, we also considered the industrious nature of this woman: "She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes" (Proverbs 31:24). Definitely any man married to a virtuous woman receives compliments from others: "Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land" (Proverbs 31:23). The Proverbs 31 woman "speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue" (Proverbs 31:26). She is so diligent in making her home: "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness" (Proverbs 31:27). She doesn't spend time in worthless lifestyles. She doesn't leave her home unattended to and engage in baseless gossip. Her home is her priority. Her husband and children boast about her commitment to them. She is intentional about her home ministry and doesn't consider her managing of her home as a horrible chore. She is selfless and yet makes time to take care of herself.
We can learn these home making lessons from the Proverbs 31 woman:
Be realistic: Don't try to turn your home into a Palace lifestyle when your financial conditions do not allow. Make your own decorations. Go to the shops and get Do-it-yourself (DIY) things and give your home a beautiful look based on your budget.
Be intentional: Get your home weather appropriate clothing. Your children should not be too cold and neither should they be too hot.
Be romantic: Don't turn your bedroom into a clothing store! Make your bed everyday. Put some extra effort to make your bedroom extra comfy and extra ready… you know what I mean!
Be lovable: Make it a point to make yourself lovable to your husband and children. Let them delight in coming back home. Speak with wisdom, love, affection. Don't be a nagging woman!
Be beautiful: Looking beautiful for your husband should be your everyday desire. Get some affordable clothes and dress well. Don't leave your hair looking messed up, your dresses ripped and looking worn out.
Be busy: Don't sleep all day! Be active and busy with your life. Even if you are a stay-home mother, be active in doing what makes your home better. Go for a walk, get a treadmill, walk your dog, go for a run. Don't just waste your body with excess fat. A healthy lifestyle is your living sacrifice. I recommend my book on A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.
Be ready to carry yourself up: Life is not a bed of roses. If things don't work the way it is expected, don't spend weeks, months, years and decades mourning. Clothed yourself with strength and dignity so you can laugh at the days to come (Proverbs 31:25)
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