To The Virtuous Woman

HFL

MOTHERS DAY, MAY 9, 2010 (ORIGINALLY PREACHED MARCH 2010)

PROVERBS 31:9-31

A good woman is hard to find,

and worth far more than diamonds.

Her husband trusts her without reserve,

and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously

all her life long.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,

and enjoys knitting and sewing.

She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places

and brings back exotic surprises.

She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast

for her family and organizing her day.

She looks over a field and buys it,

then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,

rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

She senses the worth of her work,

is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,

diligent in homemaking.

She’s quick to assist anyone in need,

reaches out to help the poor.

She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;

their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

She makes her own clothing,

and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected

when he deliberates with the city fathers.

She designs gowns and sells them,

brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant,

and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,

and she always says it kindly.

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,

and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her;

her husband joins in with words of praise:

“Many women have done wonderful things,

but you’ve outclassed them all!”

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.

The woman to be admired and praised

is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD.

Give her everything she deserves!

Festoon her life with praises!

WE BOTH HAVE JOBS TO DO TODAY, MINE IS TO SPEAK, AND YOURS IS TO LISTEN. LET’S PRAY THAT WE BOTH FINISH AT THE SAME TIME.

IN MARCH, WE MADE THE TRIP TO FLORIDA TO CELEBRATE MY MOTHERS 100 BIRTHDAY. HER MINISTER WAS NOT GOING TO BE THERE THAT SUNDAY, SO THEY ASKED ME TO PREACH. WHEN SHE LEARNED I WAS GOING TO PREACH, SHE ASKED ME WHAT. I SAID, SOME PLACE IN MATTHEW, AND SHE SAID, I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD PREACH ABOUT THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN IN PROVERBS. MY MOTHER GOT HER WISH. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH ALL YOU MOM’S THAT SAME MESSAGE.

THERE ARE 12 THINGS IN THESE VERSES. THEY HAVE APPLICATION TO EVERY WOMAN. SO WHILE THIS IS FOR MY MOM, THE REST OF YOU CAN LISTEN IN. AND MEN, B/C IT’S FOR THE WOMEN, THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN TURN YOUR HEARING AIDS OFF.

NUMBER ONE. HER HUSBAND TRUSTS HER. TRUST MEANS YOU NEVER HAVE TO QUESTION. WHEN I WAS A TEEN, ALL MY FRIENDS HAD CURFEWS. I DIDN’T. THEY WOULD SAY, WHY DON’T YOU HAVE ONE, AND I WOULD SAY, MY PARENTS TRUST ME. I WOULD TELL THEM WHERE I WAS GOING, AND WHAT TIME IT WOULD END, AND THEY TRUSTED THAT I WOULD GET HOME AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. LET ME ADD, I DIDN’T VIOLATE THAT TRUST VERY OFTEN.

NUMBER TWO. SHE BRINGS HIM GOOD, ALL HER LIFE. MOM AND DAD WERE MARRIED ONLY TO EACH OTHER FOR 78 YEARS. MOM BROUGHT DAD A LOT OF GOOD IN THOSE YEARS. THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS; SHE DIDN’T BRING HIM BAD. I DON’T KNOW HOW THEY DID IT, BUT THEY WERE ALWAYS ON THE SAME PAGE TOGETHER, WORKING FOR THE SAME THINGS. ONE OF THE WAYS YOU BRING GOOD IS BY BUILDING UP AND NOT TEARING DOWN. MY MOTHER HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY NUMBER ONE CHEERLEADER.

NUMBER THREE. SHE WORKS WITH HER HANDS. I WAS BLESSED, MY MOTHER WORKED, BUT SHE WORKED AT HOME. LET ME ADD, MY WIFE ANNE WORKS, SHE DOESN’T GET A PAY CHECK FOR IT, BUT SHE COMES ALONGSIDE ME IN MINISTRY. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A NON WORKING MOTHER.

NUMBER FOUR. SHE’S UP BEFORE DAWN.

NUMBER FIVE. SHE LOOKS AT A FIELD AND BUYS IT. WHEN I WAS IN 7TH GRADE, MOM AND DAD WANTED TO BUY LAND UP NORTH. WE FOUND 120 ACRES, THE PRICE WAS RIGHT. DAD AND I COULD ALMOST TASTE IT. MOM SAID NO. WE ENDED UP BUYING A SMALLER PIECE, AND THIS BECAME THEIR RETIREMENT HOME. MOM WAS WISE IN THIS, AND FOR ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY THAT PLACE UP NORTH WAS THE HOME OF MANY HAPPY MEMORIES.

BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO HAS A WIFE WHO IS WISE WITH MONEY.

She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. I WILL WALK INTO MOM’S KITCHEN, LOOK IN THE FRIDGE, AND WONDER WHAT WE WILL EAT. MOM LOOKS IN THE SAME EMPTY FRIDGE AND COMES UP WITH A FEAST FIT FOR A KING.