honor

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 10th is Mother’s Day here in the USA. This is a special day to honor the woman who carried you in her womb for 9 months, brought you into this world, and most assuredly, gave of herself sacrificially for you for at least some of your life, even if your family situation was far from ideal.

First, I want to mention two very special mothers in the Bible, who gave sacrificially to their children, and how they dedicated them to the Lord. In Exodus, chapters 1 and 2, we read how the family of baby Moses risked their lives to save him, even after the Pharaoh of Egypt commanded that every baby boy was to be killed during birth, or to be cast into the river after he was  born. Moses ended up being the leader that brought the Israelites out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and to the Promised Land.

Then, in 1 Samuel 1 and 2, we read about Hannah, who had been barren (and provoked by another woman, because she was unable to have a child). Here are some facts about Hannah that ended up making her an ideal mother when she finally did have a son. She realized that being a mother was a beautiful, lofty calling, so she prayed fervently and persistently that God would bless her with a child. She promised God that she would dedicate and give this child to the Lord; She gave her son, Samuel, lots of time, training him in the ways of the Lord;  Then, she kept her promise to God, and I’m sure her prayers followed him throughout his life. At a time in Israel when no one was hearing from God because of rampant sin, God used Samuel as a prophet to bring His message to the people.

Well, the circumstances in my life weren’t as ideal as the above ones, and my siblings and I didn’t often get the time and attention that we needed; but in spite of the many hardships my mother faced in life, she truly was an exceptional mother in many ways, and deserves admiration and respect. I didn’t understand and appreciate how remarkable she was until I got to know her better shortly before she passed away by caring for her and reading her poetry that she had written through her difficult years, but by then it was almost too late. So, I really do love her dearly and wish I could give her a hug, and tell her that, as I wish her a “Happy Mother’s Day!”

Far Above Rubies

In the last chapter in the book of Proverbs, we have a description of what King Lemuel’s mother called “a virtuous woman”. Through the years that I have been a Christian, I have heard many women say that Proverbs 31 discourages them when they read it, because the woman described here seems too perfect and they could never live up to her example, or do all the things that it mentions; other women have just ignored this passage altogether, saying it is not relevant for today. However, since this chapter was included in the Bible, I trust there are some valuable principles that we can learn from it.

First, we can see that she is always faithful and kind to her husband; she also works very hard to help provide food for her family; she sacrificially serves her entire household, even missing some sleep to prepare nutritious food for them; she shows wisdom in her real estate and business dealings; she is physically strong; she grows some of her food, and makes some beautiful clothes for herself and her family; she sells some of them, and probably gives food and clothing to the poor and needy; she is not idle, gossipy, lazy, foolish, or unkind to others; she opens her mouth with wisdom; she is honored, praised, and blessed by her husband, children, and others; but most importantly, she is a woman who fears (honors, respects, and loves) the Lord.

None of that is unattainable for any woman. Even if its not natural or easy for us, there are many different ways to learn some of the skills that the virtuous woman possessed. Many of us were not raised that way in our home or our culture, but we can start with a desire and diligence, and then ask God to help us.

Do you want to be a woman who fears God and is honored by her husband and children, even if this means living a more modest and simple lifestyle; or do you want to wake up someday, and find your husband gone, your children grown (perhaps too busy to spend time with you in your later years), your physical beauty is gone, and all that you have is a big house, a large bank account, and lots of stuff, but you feel lonely and empty? Saddest of all, you may find that you have hardened your heart and have no desire for the things of God. Matthew 16:26, Mark 8:36, and Luke 9:25 all share the same message: What will it profit a person if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul?

I encourage you to take a fresh look at this passage:

Proverbs 31:10-31
Who can find a virtuous woman?
 For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil
  all the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax,
 and willingly works with her hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
 she brings her food from afar.

She also rises while it is yet night,
 and provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.

She considers a field and buys it;
 From her profits she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength,
 and strengthens her arms.

She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.

She extends her hand to the poor,
 yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of snow for her household,
 for all her household is clothed with scarlet.

She makes tapestry for herself;
 her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,
 when he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
 and supplies sashes for the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,
 and on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household,
 and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;
 her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many daughters have done well,
 but you excel them all.”

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,
 and let her own works praise her in the gates.