The Proverb's 31 Woman

When I saw Amy's post at In Pursuit of Proverbs 31 about starting a Carnival Blog for Proverbs 31, I got all excited. I thought, “hey, I can write something about these awesome passages of scripture that describe a godly woman”. There are so many of these virtues I desire to possess as a wife and mother in my own life. As women, we have so much influence in our family, and because of that in Proverbs 31, the Lord gives us a perfect example of what we should strive to model in our lives.

In the very last verse of Proverbs 31 it says, "Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate" (Proverbs 31:31).

When I read these words, I can not help but think of my precious mother who is now with Jesus - receiving her rewards. There are so many verses in Proverbs 31 that would describe my mother perfectly. However, I would like to choose just one for now, and how her example has had such a profound effect on my life.

In verse 20 it says, "She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.”

My mother was raised in a large family and when she was a young girl, she lost her father. Her mother could no longer afford to raise all 10 children, so in those days, children were placed in orphanages if there were no relatives to help. My mother was one of the children who were placed in several different orphanages. She never forgot those days, and all she learned growing up.

My mother moved from Virginia, where she was born, down south to New Orleans once she was older and found work at Bellsouth. This is where she met my father and raised her six children, a niece, and three nephews and a grandson. My mom had such a huge and generous heart. She had such compassion for the poor and the needy. I watched my mom sacrifice so much so that others could have what they needed. There was never a day she was not blessing someone with food or clothing, and even taking them in and giving them a place to live during hard times in their lives. Our home always had an open door for the needy, and our home was full of love, generosity, and compassion.

In Proverbs 19:17 it says, "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done."

As part of the bride of Christ, we must ask ourselves, “Do we open our arms to the poor and needy?” I am reminded of a woman in the Bible named Dorcus who was that kind of woman. When she died, the whole town came out to mourn her departure; for she was compassionate to every needy person, she met. She was a blessing to her community, and in Acts 9 the Bible tells us that Peter prayed for her and God raised her from the dead. Wow, what a powerful testimony of how God honors those who care for the needy, the hurting, and the downcast. This is the heart of God. When we die, will anyone grieve over us in that manner? Will we be remembered as a person who was full of compassion and mercy with open arms to those in need?

This is what I desire to model in my life, and I have my mother to thank for giving me an example to follow. I hope it is what you also desire for your life. I would like to end with a prayer for all of us.

“Lord, I thank you for loving us with such a perfect love. When we were poor and needy, you opened your arms to us, and poured out your compassion upon us. Now, please teach us to be more like you, so that our lives will be a reflection of your love, your mercy, and your compassion as we reach out to needy you bring across our path everyday. Amen!”