One of My Favorite Ladies

“A woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.”  Proverbs 31:30
One of my daily practices is to read a chapter of Proverbs each day.  I read the chapter which correlates to the date.  Today is the 31st so I read Proverbs 31.  Months that have only 30 days in them make me miss one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible.
The Proverbs 31 woman who is described in verses 10-31 has always been who I aspire to be.  When I was single, I had these verses framed, hanging beside my bed.  I remember lying in bed, I would look over and read them.  My prayer was one day I would get to be that kind of wife, that kind of mom:
^[a]A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I have heard many a messages about the Proverbs 31 woman.  I’ve seen spoofs on how impossible it is to be her.  None of us can live up to her standards.
It’s true, none of us can.   I don’t think we are supposed to be exactly like her.  I fall short in so many ways, but it is in my shortcomings where I grow.  It’s where I learn.
I won’t ever be all She is, but God did answer my prayer.  I do have a wonderful husband.  He gave me the chance to try.