Devotional 9-22-12

Ode to a Virtuous Woman

Please read Proverbs 31:10-31

There are two kinds of people in the world:  those who love the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31, and those who don’t.

Some people hear the description of the virtuous woman and think of a virtuous woman who has had an impact on their lives.  Others complain that the description of the virtuous woman (ostensibly written by a man) sets up a standard that is unattainable and unrealistic.

Count me among those who like it.  Consider my re-write, in honor of another virtuous woman, Jerry Taylor:

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

The hearts of her children trust in her, and they will have no lack of gain because of her.

She does them good, and not harm, all the days of her life.  There were a few times when she may have threatened harm, but she never followed through with it.

She seeks cotton and polyester blends and, with the help of McCall patterns, works with willing hands to make formal dresses.  With wool yarn and needles she knits sweaters and even ascots like Mike Nesmith from the Monkees used to wear.

She shops on Thursdays, bringing her food from the A&P, dividing the candy into four equal portions.

She rises while it is still night and provides food for the bake sale her youngest son forgot to tell her about.

She considers a field and decides to play golf on it.

She girds herself with a 3-wood, and makes her arms strong.

She puts her hands to the grip, and knocks it straight down the middle.

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

Although she hates snow days, she is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are wrapped in hand-made Afghans. 

Her husband is known all over town, taking a leadership role in the community.

Strength and compassion are her clothing, but she loves to laugh.

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, but loves a good board game.

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.”

Mom is not made virtuous by what she does; her actions are the fruit of her virtue.  Thanks, Mom.  And my apologies to Solomon.

Jeff Taylor