We’ve all heard about the Proverbs 31 wife. She is an amazing specimen of a woman! I sometimes get lost in the misconception that today’s mom has the most pressure of any with all she is expected to do. Then I read Proverbs 31. Women have always had a lot of responsibility on their plate. The Proverbs 31 woman handled it with confidence. You should never mess with a Proverbs 31 mom!
Take a moment today to consider what Proverbs 31 specifically says about mothers. You could argue that all of Proverbs 31 applies to moms. However, there is a point in every woman’s life before she becomes a mom. Even during the pre-baby years, most women have some sort of mothering instinct, someone they look out for and help nurture in some big or small way. That should be applauded as well. Today, however, I want to take a look at what a mother is asked to do for the children in her household. Never mess with a proverbs 31 mom…
What Does the Proverbs 31 Mom Do?
Provides in the Early Morning
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.” Proverbs 31:15 ESV
Many moms have lately sung the praises of rising early. We thought this was a new concept! Perhaps the reason I can’t sleep late anymore doesn’t have so much to do with bad sleeping patterns, but a deeper heart knowledge and the urging of the Holy Spirit. Maybe the guilt I feel over defaulting to cereal way too often is actually God trying to tell me to make my family a healthy breakfast? I must admit that on the days I get up and actually cook a healthy breakfast for everyone, I feel accomplished and more prepared to tackle the day–even if it means I still have a sink full of dirty dishes when I have to leave the house or start our homeschool day.
Maybe my guilt over defaulting to cereal is God telling me to make my family a healthy breakfast. Click To TweetClothes With Scarlet
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.” Proverbs 31:21 ESV
Our children don’t have to be fashion models, but they are prepared with what they need. If you want to do that in a stylish way, even better! The Proverbs 31 mom’s kids were clothed in scarlet. That means they could find joy in being fashionable. They could feel good about themselves when they looked in the mirror. So what if your “scarlet” comes from a consignment sale? You don’t have to spend a mint on clothes. All my little girl cares about is that there is some kind of ruffle, that she can spin around in her skirt, or that something on her body is pink. You don’t have to win any fashion contests. As long your kids have what they need and a few things they enjoy wearing too, you are doing your job.
That Means You Too, Mom!
I need to point out that the Proverbs 31 mom was also clothed in scarlet. She is part of her household. The next verse even says,
…her clothing is fine linen and purple.” Proverbs 31:22 ESV
As a child I watched my mom buy me nice clothes and neglect herself. I said I would never do the same thing. Yet here I sit in clothes I have worn for years. This verse is permission to go shopping!
Proverbs 31:22 =permission to go shopping! Click To TweetStays Busy
She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27 ESV
We are all busy and like to play that “I’m busier than you” game. We wear it like a badge of honor. Notice, however, that the verse doesn’t say that the Proverbs 31 mom was so busy she went insane and fell down exhausted. It just says that she wasn’t idle. There is a big difference.
Is Called Blessed
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28 ESV
She “looks well to the ways of her household.” She takes care of her family’s needs. Because of this, they call her blessed. You can’t control what your family says about you. Nevertheless, you can control that your actions are praiseworthy. When we grumble about everything we have to do for our family, it takes the praiseworthiness right out of it.
When we grumble about everything, it takes the praiseworthiness right out of it. Click To TweetWhat Does This Mean for the Modern Mom?
No Guilt Trips
I’m not trying to guilt trip anyone. All the things mentioned are my own convictions. They may or may not be your own. I’m sure there are areas where you are already doing much better than me.
God Planned the Work of Motherhood for Us
There are definitely areas where I need improvement. When I take a moment to consider that all the things I tend to grumble about on a daily basis are actually designed by God to be part of my job, that gives me a new perspective.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV
I can no longer complain, “It’s not suppose to be this way! I’m too overworked and too overwhelmed!” I am not to do something for my family one time and be done. I have to WALK in those good works day after day. Sure it’s hard, but if God prepared this work for me, He knew I could do it. I can smile in the face of adversity and rely on God for strength.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.” Proverbs 31:25 ESV
We Have a Cheerleading Section
Don’t let Proverbs 31 be a source of stress in your life. Embrace it with the camaraderie of motherhood, knowing that others have gone before you. They are now cheering you on.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Don’t Believe Satan’s Lies!
I hear people talk about how we believe Satan’s lies. My first instinct it to think, “Not me! I know the truth!” But do I? I’ve been buying into the lie that my life is somehow harder than others and I should feel sorry for myself. I’ve been believing that it’s okay to wear frumpy clothes because looks don’t really matter. No more! Satan, never mess with a Proverbs 31 mom!
Satan, never mess with a Proverbs 31 mom! Click To TweetDid any of these convictions ring a bell with you?
Susan Evans says
“Notice, however, that the verse doesn’t say that the Proverbs 31 mom was so busy she went insane and fell down exhausted. It just says that she wasn’t idle. There is a big difference.” Hahahaha! I think most Christian homeschool moms fall into the “went insane and fell down exhausted” state…
Alice Mills says
I also believe that the verse doesn’t mean that she did all these things at once, but over her lifetime. I love the validation of no guilt. I always tell myself, “Unshame on you!”
admin says
That is a really great point. I hadn’t really thought about it, but there is no way any human could do all of that at once! Thanks for pointing that out!
Andrea says
I look at the image in your post – and I think of Josephine the Comet Lady 🙂
Scott LaPierre says
Tara,
As soon as I saw the post, I was going to say, “What do you say to the mom who reads Proverbs 31 and instead of being encouraged and challenged, she feels discouraged and defeated?” Then I read your “No Guilt Trips” section. I appreciated that, because as a pastor I’ve seen some moms who feel like a failure if they aren’t like this woman…even though she actually doesn’t exist :).
Scott LaPierre recently posted…Embrace marriage struggles!
Aileen says
“Permission to go shopping” Haha! I had to laugh at that. But I know I’m guilty of wearing clothes from years ago. You make a good point … taking care of our households includes not neglecting ourselves.
Aileen recently posted…7 Amazing Powers of a SuperMom
Lo Tanner | lotanner.com says
I love how you were able to relate this chapter to motherhood and still end it on a good note. So often people look at the Prov. 21 women and her abilities and feel inadequate. This left me feeling encouraged.
admin says
Great! That’s what I was hoping. Thank you!
Kristi says
Great post! I especially love the part about not being so busy that we fall over exhausted. I’ve felt God calling me to slow down and I’m trying to live up to it. I’ve had to cut many things out of my life that were good things just so I could focus on the great things!
It seems like the proverbs 31 woman tried to focus her efforts too.
Kristi recently posted…Raising Children is not a Waste of Time
Tiffany says
Great post for mothers day weekend. I’m not a mom yet but I really love how you took a very popular passage and gave us an entirely new way to look it. Very creative and super insightful. Thank you <3
Tiffany recently posted…The “Doing” Phase
admin says
Thank you!
LauraOinAK says
I was in a women’s group that did a book study which was based on the Proverbs 31 woman.
At first, you think it is impossible to live like that. Until you realize all the ways the culture has developed ways to ‘waste’ your time. With a cross country move looming, I’ve been more aware of things that rob me of my time and resources. And how my boys have so MUCH that they see no need to take care of any of it.
LauraOinAK recently posted…Healthy Living Link Party #112