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| Momma, ca. 1995 |
She was never too tired, too busy or too frustrated to listen to us, take care of us and nurture us. She had many health issues during my years at home, but I never remember a time when those issues kept her from her responsibilities to her family. Our clothes were always clean, our house was always kept and meals were hot and home cooked. She made sure my sisters and I were in church with her every Sunday even though it caused no small about of displeasure in Daddy when we went to church.
As I grew into adulthood, I found her more wise than I had originally thought her to be. She never gave unsolicited advice but always made sure she was direct in her response if asked for advice. Beginning very early in life, she taught me how to think for myself by never giving me answers, but by offering options and allowing me to choose my path and then being there to put me back together when my decisions were bad ones. Her love and approval were always readily available and words of encouragement were always on her tongue. From very early, she told me I could do anything I wanted to do if I was willing to work hard, learn from my mistakes and keep the Lord first in my life.
Momma was right, of course; she was an incredibly wise woman.
10 A truly good wife
is the most precious treasure
a man can find!
11 Her husband depends on her,
and she never
lets him down.
12 She is good to him
every day of her life,
13 and with her own hands
she gladly makes clothes.
is the most precious treasure
a man can find!
11 Her husband depends on her,
and she never
lets him down.
12 She is good to him
every day of her life,
13 and with her own hands
she gladly makes clothes.
14 She is like a sailing ship
that brings food
from across the sea.
15 She gets up before daylight
to prepare food
for her family
and for her servants.
16 She knows how to buy land
and how to plant a vineyard,
17 and she always works hard.
18 She knows when to buy or sell,
and she stays busy
until late at night.
19 She spins her own cloth,
20 and she helps the poor
and the needy.
21 Her family has warm clothing,
and so she doesn’t worry
when it snows.
22 She does her own sewing,
and everything she wears
is beautiful.
that brings food
from across the sea.
15 She gets up before daylight
to prepare food
for her family
and for her servants.
16 She knows how to buy land
and how to plant a vineyard,
17 and she always works hard.
18 She knows when to buy or sell,
and she stays busy
until late at night.
19 She spins her own cloth,
20 and she helps the poor
and the needy.
21 Her family has warm clothing,
and so she doesn’t worry
when it snows.
22 She does her own sewing,
and everything she wears
is beautiful.
23 Her husband is a well-known
and respected leader
in the city.
24 She makes clothes to sell
to the shop owners.
25 She is strong and graceful,
as well as cheerful
about the future.
26 Her words are sensible,
and her advice
is thoughtful.
27 She takes good care
of her family
and is never lazy.
28 Her children praise her,
and with great pride
her husband says,
29 “There are many good women,
but you are the best!”
and respected leader
in the city.
24 She makes clothes to sell
to the shop owners.
25 She is strong and graceful,
as well as cheerful
about the future.
26 Her words are sensible,
and her advice
is thoughtful.
27 She takes good care
of her family
and is never lazy.
28 Her children praise her,
and with great pride
her husband says,
29 “There are many good women,
but you are the best!”
30 Charm can be deceiving,
and beauty fades away,
but a woman
who honors the Lord
deserves to be praised.
31 Show her respect—
praise her in public
for what she has done.
and beauty fades away,
but a woman
who honors the Lord
deserves to be praised.
31 Show her respect—
praise her in public
for what she has done.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (CEV)
