She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. (Proverbs 31:21-25 NLT)
Another day, another list? As we learned on Day 2, this passage isn't necessarily a checklist that we need to add to our daily routine. Of course she makes her own bedspreads....the woman makes her own cloth for goodness sake! But remember, she didn't have a Stein-Mart or Dillard's right down the block. So what is this section of scripture really saying?
1. She takes care of herself and her household.
Most of us have at least half of this down. You make sure that your loved ones have what they need. You take care to turn your houses into homes by stewarding your resources to the best of your abilities. The most difficult part of this seems to be the part where we are supposed to take care of ourselves. Our Proverbs 31 lady is dressing in fine linen and purple gowns--this is the stuff of royalty. She is taking care to take care of herself. Here's what's great: it's not to the exclusion of her family--she isn't selfish. She is simply doing what she does in every aspect of her life; she is being a good steward and manager of what she has been given (including her body), and treating all aspects of her life with care.
2. Her family has a leadership lifestyle.
Our Proverbs 31 woman is an upstanding lady, and her husband is also apparently well-respected. Based on our previous verses, it seems that she helps bring out the best in him. I believe it would also be safe to say that he helps bring out the best in her. They are involved in civics and business. Perhaps we could say they are simply good model citizens.
3. Her clothing isn't the covering that people notice about her.
Our woman is obviously dressed well, but that isn't the most important thing she wears. She is clothed in strength & dignity...what could that really mean? Clothing functions as our covering, and it's what people often notice immediately about us. It also serves as protection from the elements or our environment.
By being clothed in strength and dignity, it is noticeable to the people that encounter her. She doesn't have to point it out to anyone, just like you don't have to point out the fact that you (hopefully) remembered to put on a dress or pants today! It's obvious in her interactions, in the way she carries herself. You know women like this--they just have this aura around them. You can see these traits as easily as you could a new outfit.
Her dignity and strength of character are also things that help shield and insulate her from things that could be going on around her. She is able to face the future with joy. There is no caveat for circumstance. When we live with character and integrity with our dependence upon God, we know that regardless of what we face, we will be able to face it head on. Imagine: Laughing with no fear of the future. It sounds a whole lot like peace and joy to me. I don't know about you, but that is something that I crave.
"Live in such a way that if anyone were to speak badly of you, no one would believe it."~Unknown
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)
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