Happy Mother’s Day

Proverbs 30:10-31

“A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away.

She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls.

She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong.

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 

She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson.

She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

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

Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her:

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.”

 

This Proverb of “Ode to a Capable Wife” or “Who can find a Virtuous Woman?” says a lot. Today we salute mothers - those who made a way when there was no way. Those who stayed up crying, praying, those who gave us what they had. Those who showed us how to get what we have. The tired, the weary, the steadfast. Those who beamed with pride in our accomplishments. Those who cried with us in our hurts. Those who encouraged, protected, provided, loved on, prayed with, walked with . . .

Yes, the mothers.

We salute the mothers. The new ones, the ones not new. The mothers that God loves. The mothers who love God. The mothers who know where their help comes from, the ones who are learning. 

The last two verses sums it up, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.”  enough for now.