A Virtuous Woman

Proverbs 31 speaks of the characteristics of a virtuous woman.  Beginning in verse 10 we read, "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."  The following verses speak of her relationship with her husband, her work ethic, her generosity, her wisdom and her strength.  It tells how she runs her household smoothly and cares for her children.  She is a woman to be praised, a woman to be honored, a woman to look up to and a woman to strive to be like.  She is my mother.

I've watched for 40 years as my mother has served my father, our family, our church, her employer, her friends, her community, and anyone else around her who had a need.  She's been wife, daughter, daughter-in-law, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, leader, and friend.  She's been Sunday School teacher, church pianist, church treasurer, junior choir director, ladies auxiliary president, GA state ladies auxiliary treasurer, and has served in countless other ways through various committees and groups. She's involved in civic organizations, serves as secretary in the women's guild, and is constantly involved in projects that give back to our community.  She visits the sick and hurting and has cooked innumerable meals for families in need or who have lost loved ones.

She opens her home every Thanksgiving to her family, never knowing exactly how many to expect.  There's been anywhere from 35 to 85 people show up every year for as long as I can remember.  She never knows how many are coming, but they are all always invited.  The youngest of a family of 9, she calls and visits her siblings and drives her older siblings to visit each other.  She sat vigil at my grandparents' bedsides during their final days, and was a pillar of strength for the rest of us when they passed away.

She prays over her children and grandchildren and is the best mother and Mimi any child could ask for.  Verse 28 in Proverbs 31 says that " Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."  How true this is, but how true it is also that we don't do it enough.  I am blessed beyond measure with wonderful, loving, Christian parents.  I'm blessed to have been brought up in a loving home by parents who were and still are incredible examples of what a Christian should be.  I was told very recently that my parents have hearts of servants.  I had never thought of it in those terms before, but what an accurate statement!  And what a privilege to be their daughter! 

Today is my mother's birthday and as we celebrate her today, I'm reminded of how blessed I truly am to have such an incredible woman as my mother and am also reminded that I don't often enough arise up and call her blessed.  But she is, indeed.  And her price is far above rubies!  Verse 30 reads, "A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  Today I praise my mother and thank God for the wonderful Christian example she is and for the privilege of being her daughter!