Hello my friends,
I pray this week’s grace note finds you all well and blessed! As Sunday is Mother’s Day, I am dedicating this week’s post to all of the amazing women that God in His wisdom, has sovereignly and lovingly placed in our lives for His purpose and our benefit. I am specifically referring to the women who have been instrumental in our lives helping to shape, disciple, encourage, inspire, instruct, challenge and love us. Whether this woman is your mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, mentor, friend or a beautiful combination of many women who have impacted your life, each of these women is a blessing from God, and they are deserving of honor and praise!
Before I dive into today’s topic, I need to be completely transparent in sharing that I wrestled with whether or not to include any portion of the verses that include the daunting woman of noble character described in the 31st chapter of the book of Proverbs. My reservations were twofold. First, this passage is regularly quoted, potentially overly familiar and usually included in Mother’s Day sermons in some form or another. Not to mention that it is also a common theme for yearly women’s conferences, and is additionally a featured passage included in periodicals and devotionals each May. And secondly, this idyllic woman doesn’t even actually exist! In reality, the Proverbs 31 woman, is a representation of a diversity of wonderful women who are each uniquely skilled, gifted and wonderfully distinct in a variety of ways. I share all of this to say that although I was initially reluctant to include any portion of the Proverbs 31 wonder woman in this post, against my better judgment, I decided to read through the chapter once again for inspiration and direction, and as I did, I found myself drawn to four specific words…she shall be praised.
What I specifically love about this phrase is that it is in no way tied to a deed or physical action, but rather to an inward conviction and a faith. While there are many beautiful, descriptive words used throughout this passage in portrayal of the prototype virtuous woman, the truth is, the foundation for everything she does is the result of what she believes to be true, not simply about herself, but far more significantly about her God. The summation of all this woman is able to achieve on the outside, (her actions) is simply a byproduct of who she is on the inside, a worshiper of Yahweh. Clearly the most outstanding and distinguishing feature of the woman described in Proverbs 31 is simply, and notably this, she fears, that is, reveres, respects and honors the Lord.
“…a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30 NASB2020
To be clear, The fear of the Lord is not exclusive to the Proverbs 31 passage, or to women in general for that matter. Rather The fear of the Lord is a foundational biblical teaching and a repeated principle throughout scripture. Additionally, it’s critical to understand that the fear included in this phrase is not the same word we would equate with dread, terror or panic, rather it implies awe, wonder and reverence. It is the acknowledgement that God alone is all wise, all powerful, all knowing, and all good. He is God Almighty, and He is to be respected, honored and revered.
“The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.”
Proverbs 9:10 AMP
So now that I’ve addressed, at least in part, what the fear of the Lord actually is, l will now move forward in my attempts of describing just a few of the many amazing attributes that help to define these extraordinary women of godly character. To assist me in my efforts, and in keeping with the topic at hand, I’ve been inspired to illustrate these portrayals by way of the acronym, W. O. M. A. N.… Here goes….
Wise
“She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26 NASB2020
I love the strong connection between wisdom and kindness displayed in this verse. What is apparent through these words is that what makes this woman wise is not what she knows, but rather how she speaks. She is kind in her speech and I would imagine in her tone. And this also reveals her compassionate heart. True wisdom is much less about sharing knowledge, advice or opinions, and much more about actively listening and compassionately responding. And honestly, there are times, probably more than we realize, when the best response is best left unsaid. Sometimes no words are required and the grace of silence is sufficient in conveying the mutually understood, unspoken messages of the heart. And a woman who fears the Lord understands this truth.
Optimistic
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future”
Proverbs 31:25 NASB2020
Optimism projects confident hope into an unknown future. Optimistic people are categorized as those individuals who always seem to see, think and speak the best. These are people that continually exude an inner peace, a calmness and a resiliency that allow them to positively navigate through daily challenges, trials and difficult circumstances. Optimistic people speak words that encourage and empower others, and they continually radiate true joy. They face each new day with expectancy, and yes, like the wise woman pictured in this verse, a woman who fears the Lord assuredly smiles at the days to come…
Meditates
“Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, And on His Law he meditates day and night.”
Psalms 1:1-2 NASB2020
It’s no big secret that our thought life has a direct impact on our physical and spiritual well being. Medical doctors and biblical scholars alike will attest to this truth. What we continually think about, that is, the narratives that regularly play and replay in our minds have the potential to affect us, either negatively or positively. This theological concept is recorded throughout scripture, and all who desire to journey on the path of the righteous will heed this counsel. And a woman who fears the Lord makes God’s Word a priority in her life by continually meditating on the precepts, principles and promises contained in scripture.
Below I’ve included a few additional compelling verses regarding the wonderful and positive results of intentionally directing our thoughts towards scripture…
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8 NASB2020
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success.”
Joshua 1:8 NASB2020
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NASB2020
Acknowledge
“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”
Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP
To acknowledge God is to look to Him as the sole authority over every area of our lives. He is God and He not only knows best, but He also desires the best for us. He is a loving, perfect and all wise Father. He is trustworthy, dependable, faithful, gracious and consistently good. As we continuously look to Him and actively seek Him by leaning on, relying upon and trusting in Him for everything we need and in everything we do, in exchange we receive direction, counsel and wisdom. And a woman who fears the Lord understands this to be true and acknowledges God in all her ways.
Never gives up
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NLT
And finally, a woman who fears the Lord never gives up. She doesn’t quit. She doesn’t turn back. She doesn’t stop believing. She is persistent and consistent in her faith. She’s certain God can be trusted. She believes His Words are true and she believes what God has promised, that He will do, and so she never gives up. She never gives up praying. She never gives up hoping or loving. She never gives up doing the right thing, and one day her life of faith will be richly rewarded. She is a virtuous woman of noble character. She is clothed in dignity, honor and strength. She is deserving of gratitude, and worthy of respect. She is a woman who fears the Lord, and she shall be praised!
Charm is deceitful…beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord,
She Shall Be Praised.
Proverbs 31:30 NASB2020
God bless you my friends. I pray you enjoy this weekend with family and friends. I pray you feel valued and loved. I pray you experience the presence of God in a very real and tangible way. And finally, I pray you find rest in the knowledge of God’s amazing love for you and the women you hold dear!
For Reflection…
Take some time this weekend in quiet thought considering the wonderful, wise and loving women God has sovereignly placed in your life, both in the past and in the present, as a source of personal blessing.
Journal fond memories you hold dear, and next to each one record your thanks to God for His goodness towards you.
Use your words and release your praise by intentionally expressing gratitude and appreciation to the women in your life.
Beautiful! Thank you Carol. You are one of those women for me, in my life. Love you and Happy Mothers Day!!
And you are one of those women for me as well!