Ideal mother

Proverbs 31:28-31 (NLT)

Her children stand and bless her.  Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done.  Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

On any given day, especially Mother’s Day, the greatest feeling a mother can have is to know that her children praise her.  Praise for who she is and what she has done.  Think about it-----isn’t it the most wonderful feeling to hear and witness praises and blessings from those who know you best?  What mother would not long to hear these words from Proverbs 31 from her children and her husband?  Yet, realize that to hear these words, a mother must invest her life in her children and husband and indeed this always involves self-sacrifice.  In this modern world where more and more women are competing with men for workplace achievement and/or working to bring home more money, self-sacrifice for the family often takes a back seat.  Some women have no problem with this: others feel guilty and frustrated.  

To bless someone is to make that person happy.  Not only do children bless a mother who they know has sacrificed for them, but note that the children “stand”.  To stand has the imagery of utmost respect.  You stand when you meet someone for the first time.  You stand when someone of authority comes into your presence.  You stand to greet someone you respect.  So children stand figuratively when they bless their mother. 

Wives---has your husband ever said words to you like the husband said in this passage?  Maybe not these exact words, but words that let you know that in his mind and eyes, you surpass all other women?  Husbands, have you ever spoken words like these to your wife?  Good for you if you have and shame on you if you have not.  If you have not, why not?  Is it because she frankly doesn’t deserve hearing such words or is it because you are too proud?

Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last.  Both refer to the external features of a person.  Charm means to find favor in the eyes of someone, to be graceful and elegant.  Charm can be deceptive; what you see is not necessarily what you get.  Beauty does not last; it is vain.  Yet, it takes a lifetime and, often, excessive time and money, to see the truth in this.  The sooner that you learn that charm and beauty come from within, the happier in life you will be.     

Proverbs 31 concludes with the most important attribute a woman can have-- reverence for the Lord and such reverence will be rewarded.  Inner beauty is a natural result of a right relationship with the Lord.  It is so unfortunate that so many women value outer beauty more than inner beauty.  Is this true with you?  Why?  Do you fear what other people think of you more than you fear what God thinks of you?  Don’t let this be true of you.  Look to the eternal, not the temporal.  Look to eternal rewards, not to earthly rewards that are so fleeting and ultimately meaningless.  Read passages like I Corinthians 15:58, Ephesians 6:8, and  Hebrews 11:6.

“As women, we have the wonderful opportunity to let our lives sparkle with God's love--if we let Him.  Almighty God is our guide and shepherd and will give us the spirit of godliness to complete our search for who am I and why am I here" -- Emilie Barnes, You Are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence, Harvest House Publishers, 2009, p. 62.