One of the reasons that I feel like I can work towards being a Proverbs 31 Woman is because I was raised by one! My mom, Jody White, is as close to fitting the description of this woman of virtuous character as I will ever find. My mother is a loving, hard-working ranch wife, mother & grandmother who has taught me so many valuable things, the most important of which is how to prioritize my life: the Lord first and foremost, my husband second, children third & everyone else after that. She's taught me how to enjoy the simple things in life & how to appreciate and learn from the really difficult things. She's a living example of love in action, loving her husband, children, grandchildren and friends fiercely & tenderly at the same time. She always puts our needs above her own, showing Jesus' love to us each time that she chooses love & humility over her own rights.
I owe who I am as a wife, mother, daughter, friend and woman to the almost 40 years of life lessons that my mother has taken the time to teach me:
Make the choice to respond to those who do & say mean things to you by "killing them with kindness".
Honey will always get you further than vinegar!
Fresh air and sunshine is the cure-all for everything from tummy aches & headaches to heartaches.
Life may not be fair, but it'll all come out in the wash!
Always remember that it is more valuable to be beautiful on the inside than on the outside.
Your talents are God's gift to you, what you do with those talents is your gift to God!
Attitude may not change difficult situations, but it sure can make them easier to handle!
I can remember that awkward time of my life when I felt ugly, unloved & unimportant. I felt that way for a very short period because my mom had the gift of turning it around & making me feel loved, beautiful, and accepted. She has always been my biggest cheerleader and encourager when it came to working towards my dreams and goals. We both share a love for writing and I know that she will never allow me to let that dream lie dormant. One of my favorite parts of going back home is spending time with my mom in the corral! Doing chores, discussing life & dreams and getting dirty, I love it and so does she! My mom is also my "Titus Woman" as she is the driving force in my decision to give my life to Jesus. Her love and desire to serve Him was a beautiful thing that I desired for myself. Our relationship with the Lord is one of the greatest gifts that we share.
I owe so much of who I am and what I have been able to accomplish, as well as the dangers I was able to avoid, to the prayers of my mother. She is committed to praying for her husband, her children, grandchildren, & friends. I know that someday when I am in heaven, God will have a storeroom full of all of my mothers prayers and I will be amazed. The Proverbs 31 Woman describes my mother far better than I can. This is from The Message. I love the wording of it :
A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you wonderful moms out there; whether you be stay-at-home moms, working moms, mothers of young children, teenagers, or adult children. To you grandmothers who have such a role in the lives of our kids, and for those mothers who may have never had a child in your womb but are a blessing to countless children of your heart. God loves you all!!!