ummm...excuse my tardiness with this post. I want to say I have been terribily busy with grad school - but I finished that on Tuesday. I want to say it has been with the officer retreat I was conducting with my students after school -but school got cancelled due to inclement weather. It could be I was shopping - but no, I have been done since November. I guess I will just blame it on the snow (like many in VA) and say I was so busy inside enjoying a four day weekend helping spread Christmas spirit and decorations throughout the house. Yes, that sounds good. We'll go with that one...
And now back to the 30 day challenge...
When I first saw this topic, I honestly have to say that a lot of people/characters came to my mind. It seems that one could have a role model in almost every aspect of your life. However, if I had to narrow it down to one person, I would probably choose the Virtuous Woman (aka the Proverbs 31 woman). I admit that sometimes I loathe her as she seems almost unatainable but overall, she is an inspiration to me for these reasons.
#1. "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life (vs 11-12). Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land (vs 23). Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her (vs 28)."Because we have no children, my focus is obviously my husband. Paul's career requires a certain appearance all the time, and this is not just from him. As an officer wife, I can play a tremendous influence in my husband's career and am looked upon all the time. I read once that you loose all rights to go out to the mailbox in your pj's with no makeup. You are to be presentable at all time outside of the home as an officer wife - wow!
#2. "She seeketh woold, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms" (vs. 13-17).This woman is not a dumb or under-educated. Buying a field is no small undertaking people. There are nutrients to assess, type of soil, location of water tables, average wind speed and temperatures, etc. Being a woman is no excuse to be dumb and just because you stay at home does not mean that you lose all rights to your brain. You are a help meet to your husband, not a hinderance. This woman knew finances and how to work hard. She is self sufficient so that "her husband safely trusts in her" (vs. 11). I am on my soap box now (but this is my blog...).
Why is it that many Christian circles think that a woman is to be weak and dependant upon her husband for sustinence. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying women should not marry or be career focused, but what is wrong with being well educated and staying at home after you have children? If the home is the greatest mission field for the woman, shouldn't the woman be prepared to serve in that area? If she cannot handle the finances, what will she do if something happens to her husband. If she has no trade, what will happen when her husband becomes ill and cannot work? I am disgusted with
some homeschool families (remember I was one and am not against doing it the right way) that think math for their girls is going to the grocery store and completing a recipe. Others still say that college is for the MRS. degree. I think some Christians are twisting the Virituous Woman into the dumb, barefoot, and pregnant stereotype (and now I am off my box...).
#3. "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates" (vs. 30-31).Simply put, she feareth the Lord. Becasue she feareth the Lord, she lives to a certain standard with everything that she does. She works her hardest at everything and gives God the glory for it. She does not do it for public praise, but for the glory of her Heavenly Father and family.
