As much as I’d like to think I’m living a Proverbs 31 lifestyle, I fall short. Waaayyyy short. My childhood was filled with Proverbs 31 women; you know the kind — waking up with praises on their lips to Lord, a kind face, gentle, soft answers to all the irritations around them, seamstresses, fabulous cooks, tidy homes, perfect hostess, ladylike. Hah. Well, we’ve come a looonnng way baby and send me someone who can present 5 women between the ages of 25-35ish who can attribute most of those characteristics to herself.
*crickets*
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
Exactly. It’s a lost, dying art. Unbelievable. A Proverbs 31 woman should not be a rarity; we should have them in excess (in my opinion)!
So, over the last year I really took Proverbs 31 personally–really personally. I read and re-read it, dissected it and started applying it to my life, actively.
It just made so much sense to me.
Like I said, I really fall short, but because I’ve read the guidelines and know what is expected of me. I’m confident I’ll grow into each characteristic over time.
13 She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
Part of my commitment to live as closely to these principles as possible includes saving money. Doing what I can to pinch valuable pennies here and there so our family can live comfortably — it’s a lot of fun.
16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.
This noble woman was savvy. She knew how to find a good deal, she took care of herself, she knew how to make money right along with spending it wisely. My kind of woman, I tell ya.
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm[c] clothes.
Who wouldn’t want to be like her? So, I set to work. I scoured the internet and found recipes for making homemade supplies.
Household cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, fragrances, facial care products — I just became enthralled with all the possibilities and since then I will never buy these particular supplies from the store again:
Bleach for my clothing
Fabric Softener
Laundry Detergent
Multipurpose cleaning spray
Air Fresheners
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Dish-washing Detergent
Liquid Dish Soap
Ointment (for cuts, scrapes, burns, scarring etc…)
There are so many other recipes I will be showcasing soon, so stay tuned. (you can click HERE for all the recipes, or you can click on the item above for the individual recipe on my blog)
22 She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.
Most of these recipes take all of 5 minutes or less to make. The longest one will take you 20 minutes. With the economy playing dirty, saving $12 on laundry soap, $3 on dish soap, $7 on ointment, $5 on air fresheners, $6 on softener can go a long, long way.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
My goodness, I really pray that one day my children WILL –
28 Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”
Ohhh, mija, you have read my mail today! As a young teen I scoffed at the idea of being a Proverbs 31 woman because it was “too hard”. Fast forward some odd years later and my entire mindset has taken a 180 degree turn. I know I can’t avoid Proverbs 31. I know that I will be held accountable for what I read in God’s Word. I know that a Godly home must have a Proverbs 31 woman. It’s funny; I know Pentecostal Apostolic folks will preach the rules and regulations of modesty and Acts 2:38, but RARELY do you have people shouting and Amening Proverbs 31 (uh-oh. I might get myself into trouble with that one). So, yeah. I’ve got some growing today. I’ve got some studying of Proverbs 31 to do. With ladies like you as examples the bar is set pretty high! Nevertheless, I’m gonna keep striving!
Yeah, the only time I ever heard it was in Ladies’ prayer on Tuesday mornings as a child, a pre-teen and then a young adult. When they stopped Ladies’ prayer….it was just supposed to be something we knew, I guess.
So I see in your pic castile soap, curious if you ever tried the “no poo” (natural shampoo movement)? If so… Any success?
Actually, my dear, that’s my next venture! I really want to tackle reasonable products and make *the switch*. I know how fun it is to make this stuff and how proud I feel after. So, it becomes a fun little challenge for me. I’ll keep you all posted with my progress! Have you ever tried anything like that? Maybe you haven’t made it but a friend did and gave you sample? How was it, if so…
I love Proverbs 31, because it is so loaded with spiritual (and practical) principles related to biblical womanhood.
I often wonder if this is a snapshot of a holy woman’s life or a full length feature? Like, is it possible to get up before dawn (verse 15) and burn your lamp late into the night (verse 18). Or sew and sell to the merchants when you have a nursing baby and a toddler? Let me tell you, I’m yawning right now just thinking about it =) Which leads me to believe we are reading about seasons of her life…not her weekly to-do list. This makes it feel more obtainable– more like an outline of principles rather than a checklist. This passage outlines the importance of taking care of yourself, loving your husband and children, keeping your home, using your unique talents (not limited to sewing) for God’s glory, as well as all the things Misha described above.
And Chandra, you’re RIGHT, rarely do we hear this taught and preached (other than Mother’s day maybe) in a way that will encourage us to place the proper value on the role of a wife and mother. But posts and blogs like this highlight the beauty of biblical womanhood.
Tiffany, you’re right, using your talents to make your house a home. And I firmly believe this passage is all about how a woman can add to her life to make it well rounded in all parts. It’s just a beautiful map and love song for us to follow and sing to our families. Sometimes I feel guilty because I am not everything in that list, but I work on what I can.
Ohhhh, good point, Tiffany. Oddly enough, I never really though of it that way. When I think about Proverbs 31 as a road map (thanks for that, Misha), it definitely seems obtainable.
Really enjoyed this post! This has been on my heart as of late…I’m 23 and nowhere near being married (gasp, from all the Apostolic Pentecostal ladies that were married at 18 lol) but God has been speaking to me hard about how the time to prepare to be a good wife is not when I’m married but it’s now in the single season before I ever get there! I am so bookmarking this post as it seems the perfect place to start
Oh, my dear, you are one of the smart ones in my book! I was married at 22…a bit of a late bloomer myself
Take your time, and be proud that you are. Glad this spoke to you!
I liked this post, but why does it make it seem like we absolutely MUST have children? & there is always emphasis on what women must do but hardly any instruction for men.
Hmm, I never felt that I HAD to have children, but I see your point. I think it’s because our bodies were made to have children as a natural function, that it’s sort of goes without saying. It doesn’t mean you MUST have children, but if you do, it’s very natural. As far as the men go there are very specific instructions for them as well, 1 Timothy 3:1-16 admonishes men as leaders and deacons as to how they should conduct themselves, and what qualifies them as good leaders. Hope that helps. The men are definitely not exempt.
Misha- Oh girl you are preaching ever so sweetly… your words are right on the money (no pun intended)
There is no greater blessing in life than being a wife and mother. I pray every day that my heart grows to give my family the neccessities– love, support, comfort, happiness and the warmth of “home”. Proverbs 31 speaks it so sweetly. And I’m always SO humbled in the moments I fall short. Hard work and grace is an art. And- Practice makes perfect….
I’m thankful God gave me the opportunity to love Him, my husband and the precious children I someday hope to have. There is nothing like the love a good woman. God please make me one of the “few”. Misha thank you for being such an amazing example and sweet spirit. I love you dearly!
Finally someone else who believes what I do. I had begun to think I was the only one interested in modest fashionable clothing. I can’t wait to look at the skirt patterns I have been trying for years to find an appropriate skirts. The stores don’t sell them, and no one else seems to care. The department stores have skirts ( yes above the knee) I don’t want that, I want below the knee. I have given up finding skirts for a lady. Thanks so much