Oh to be a godly woman
Over the past month it has taken me a while to get from: “God comfort me” to “God teach me.” I think I am finally at that point where I can begin to learn and grow and through Christ, become more like Him. I was reading Proverbs 31 today. It is a little discouraging to see how much I fail at being a potential “excellent wife” (31:10). But I have made a list of all the qualities that should be in a wife based on Proverbs 31. Although I will often fail as an “excellent wife,” at least I can strive to be one.
A woman/wife should:
1. Be trustworthy and faithful to her husband. (Not full of lies, not inappropriate with other men, flirts only with her husband, can be trusted to take care of the children and household while he is away).
2. be good to her husband and not evil. (Treats him like a prince, does not lash out in anger, is selfless, submits to her husbands authority, i.e does not demand control of every decision and situation, takes care of the household for his benifit).
3. Work in delight (Has a servants heart, does not complain, works for the Lord and not for men).
4. Be enterprising. (Always willing to take on something new, creative, willing to learn).
5. Rise in the night. (Willing to do whatever it takes in an emergency or crises, is not lazy, takes care of the needs of her household not matter what the cost).
6. Use sound judgement. (Buys only based on need and through sound judgement on what will be most profitable, works to make earnings for her household).
7. Be strong. (Does not let emotions get in the way of reason, has the ability to take on more tasks when needed).
8. Help pay the bills. (Works within the household to help make ends meet, keeps up the appearance of the home).
9. Be hospitable. (Welcomes friends and strangers into her house. Takes care of the needy, gives with sound judgement).
10. Have dignity. (Worthy of respect, known for her hospitality and kindness).
11. Smile on the future. (Is free from worry, trusts in the Lord).
12. Be a good teacher. (Is wise with her words, teaches kindness to others, teaches Christ to her children).
13. Be praiseworthy. (Is praised by her family because she has excelled in her role as a wife. mother, and woman of God).
14. Fear the Lord. (Reveres God, submits to God’s authority, walks in God’s path of righteousness).
This list is a little overwhelming. In fact, when I begin to look inside myself at every sin I deal with, omission included, I get overwhelmed. But I know that God is working in me. He is doing a good work in me, making me into a “Little Christ”, a “Christ Child.”
15. Cook food and clean the house.
You said it! It is so much easier to know all of these things than to actually do them! It takes persistence, faith, and focus on God consistently on a daily basis to get us going where we need to be going and to develop the right character, which defines a Godly woman.