I always smile when I read Proverbs 31 because I'm quite sure God must have had my Momma in mind when He inspired this passage of Scripture. The following verses are from The Message:
10 A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
11 Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
12 Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
My Momma has always set the best example for me in how to treat my husband. I don't always live up to it but I'm paying attention!
13 She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
I don't know about the knitting part but my Momma is the most frugal shopper I know and an excellent seamstress. I didn't fully appreciate how lucky I was as a kid that I had a mother that could sew. She spent countless hours on clothing and costumes when I was growing up and even made my wedding veil!
14 She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
My Momma puts so much thought into gifts that she gives. She seems to delight in finding just the perfect thing that she knows I will love.
15 She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
As long as I can remember my mother has gotten up before anyone else in the family. When I was little, she got up and made sure my breakfast was ready before I got up. In the winter she would get up and turn up the heat so it would be warm when I got up. Even now, when my Mom and Dad are at my house for the holidays she volunteers to get up and put the turkey in the oven at dark o'thirty because she knows I'm not a morning person!
16 She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
17 First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
18 She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
19 She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
I have never known anyone that worked harder than my Momma. Whether it was at home or at the workplace, she has always lived out Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." Momma truly has a servant's heart. She always selflessly puts other's needs ahead of her own without complaint.
20 She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
21 She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
Like a good Boy Scout, Momma is always prepared for any situation. I still find myself, when I'm with her, asking "Momma, do you have....?" And she always does.
22 She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
23 Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
24 She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
25 Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
While she doesn't make her own clothes anymore, she used to. Now my Dad keeps her in style and she always looks beautiful!
26 When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
Momma is full of wisdom and mercy. We nicknamed her "The Public Defender" because she can always find redeemable qualities in the most hopeless people. She has always been my greatest cheerleader and source of encouragement.
27 She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
I may not be in her household anymore and she certainly doesn't have to keep me busy since I now have children of my own, but Momma still keeps an eye on me!
28 Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
29 "Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
30 Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
31 Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
The most important thing I can tell you about my Momma is that she loves the Lord with all her heart, mind, soul and strength.
10 A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
11 Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
12 Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
My Momma has always set the best example for me in how to treat my husband. I don't always live up to it but I'm paying attention!
13 She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
I don't know about the knitting part but my Momma is the most frugal shopper I know and an excellent seamstress. I didn't fully appreciate how lucky I was as a kid that I had a mother that could sew. She spent countless hours on clothing and costumes when I was growing up and even made my wedding veil!
14 She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
My Momma puts so much thought into gifts that she gives. She seems to delight in finding just the perfect thing that she knows I will love.
15 She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
As long as I can remember my mother has gotten up before anyone else in the family. When I was little, she got up and made sure my breakfast was ready before I got up. In the winter she would get up and turn up the heat so it would be warm when I got up. Even now, when my Mom and Dad are at my house for the holidays she volunteers to get up and put the turkey in the oven at dark o'thirty because she knows I'm not a morning person!
16 She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
17 First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
18 She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
19 She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
I have never known anyone that worked harder than my Momma. Whether it was at home or at the workplace, she has always lived out Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." Momma truly has a servant's heart. She always selflessly puts other's needs ahead of her own without complaint.
20 She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
21 She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
Like a good Boy Scout, Momma is always prepared for any situation. I still find myself, when I'm with her, asking "Momma, do you have....?" And she always does.
22 She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
23 Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
24 She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
25 Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
While she doesn't make her own clothes anymore, she used to. Now my Dad keeps her in style and she always looks beautiful!
26 When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
Momma is full of wisdom and mercy. We nicknamed her "The Public Defender" because she can always find redeemable qualities in the most hopeless people. She has always been my greatest cheerleader and source of encouragement.
27 She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
I may not be in her household anymore and she certainly doesn't have to keep me busy since I now have children of my own, but Momma still keeps an eye on me!
28 Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
29 "Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
30 Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
31 Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
The most important thing I can tell you about my Momma is that she loves the Lord with all her heart, mind, soul and strength.
Momma, this is me, rising up and calling you blessed!
Happy Mother's Day.
Happy Mother's Day.
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6 comments:
What a beautiful tribute. I am amazed at my mother's ability to get up before everyone. I just cannot do it. I aspire to.
Happy Mother's Day to you!
You are one lucky gal. Your mom and dad are two of our favorite people! She is one Godly woman!
Tell her I said Happy Mother's Day!
Aaw, my mama made my wedding veil, too. I'm trying to be a P 31 woman, too. Your mama should be blessed by the sweet things you said about her!
My favorite line in this whole tribute?
Even now, when my Mom and Dad are at my house for the holidays she volunteers to get up and put the turkey in the oven at dark o'thirty because she knows I'm not a morning person!You know, I always liked your mom, Lisa. Your dad was in seminary when we were at Second. Where did they end up???
That is one of the sweetest things I have ever read! Just beautiful!!
And love that your family pulled one over on you...gotta love when that happens!!! Hope you had a blessed Mother's Day!!
Happy Mother's Day to Mrs. Lisa's Mom and to you, too, Lis!
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