The Ideal Woman

Do you ever feel like you just don't measure up? As a wife, a mother, a friend, sometimes I feel like such a failure. What gives me this idea, you ask? Well, have you ever read Proverbs 31? You know, the one chapter in the Bible that tells us about all the characteristics that a woman should strive to be. I read that chapter every single year around Mother's Day. I hear sermons on the topic almost every year around the same time. That one verse that says "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels." That's verse 10 , by the way. Am I an "excellent" wife? Nope! Far from it. Just ask my husband.  I'll be honest, I'm the world's WORST keeper of the home.  My house looks like a tornado came through almost at all times.  The woman described in Proverbs 31 is a remarkable woman who excels in everything.  Or, at least, that is how I see her.  That doesn't describe me.  I'm a failure as a wife in many ways.

Even though I may not measure up to these standards, it does give me something to strive for.  I may never feel worthy, but I do know one thing, God loves me anyway.  So, what does this "Ideal Woman" that is described in Proverbs 31 look like?  Well, let's take a look.

First, this "ideal woman" has FAITH.  See that?  It's right there in verse 26.  It says that when she speaks it is with wisdom and is "teaching kindness".  This woman seeks wisdom.  Isn't that what Soloman asked for, wisdom?

Second, the "ideal woman" RESPECTS her husband. Proverbs 31:11 says that "the heart of her husband trusts in her".  When you show respect your husband and allow him the proper place in the home, then you do him a great service.  Allow your husband to be the head of the household.  Don't be the woman who "has to wear the pants", so to speak.  

Another characteristic of the "ideal woman" is that she is HARDWORKING.  In verse 13, it says that she "works with willing hands" and in verse 17 "she dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong."  Does that mean that I have to be the perfect "Susie Homemaker".  No, at least I hope not.  Does that mean that I need to work hard and help provide for my family?  Yes.

The final characteristic that I want to touch on is located in Proverbs 31:30.  It says "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  Charm means "pleasant".  We can all be "pleasant".  But sometimes, we put on a front.  At least I do.  Don't you?  And beauty, well they say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."  For me beauty comes from within.  It's how you treat people.  When you love Jesus, it's going to show.  And, let me tell you, it's beautiful.  Fear?  What is fearing the Lord?  It's not being afraid if that is what you're thinking.  Fear is recognizing that God is your judge.  Yep, he's going to determine our eternity, whether we like it or not.

So, even though the Proverbs 31 woman is out of reach for me, I can make her a model.  I can set goals based on this "ideal woman."  Her Godly character is what I want to strive for.  What about you?

Esther - A Reminder of God's Promise

Sunday is the beginning.  You know.  The reason I've started this blog.  Blogging through the Bible.  The first book that I'm going to be looking at is Esther.  I've always loved the story of Esther.  I've learned a lot from her.  But, I want to share with you some basic things about Esther that maybe you've overlooked.  I know I have.  Maybe not overlooked, but just didn't know.  

Esther. Her name is derived from a Persian word meaning "star".  Did you know that?  I didn't.  She is also known as Hadassah.  She was the queen of the Persian King Ahaseurus (aka - King Xerxes).  

Who wrote the book of Esther?  Some believe that it was Mordecai.  Mordecai was Esther's cousin, who in more than one way, was like a father to her.  Others believe that Nehemiah could have been the author of the Book of Esther.  Personally, it doesn't really matter who wrote the book, only that it was written and God believed that it was important enough in His Story for it to be included in the Bible.  We'll talk about canonization another time.  

When was Esther written?  Well, a very long time ago.  The estimates place Esther being written around 464-415 B.C.  It is believed to have been written after the death of Xerxes, who was the king of the Persian Achaemenid Empire.  

Esther was instrumental in the preservation of the Jewish people.  I look forward to learning more about this woman, one who can help us strengthen our relationship with our Creator.  She was a woman of faith and courage.  She was someone that we can model our lives after.  Do you think that God only chose queens, kings, princes, and princesses to do His work?  I think not.  He takes the lowly, like you and I, and does great things through us, so that the world will be pointed toward His light.  All He wants is for us to want a relationship with Him.

Before I leave for today, I would like to leave you with one final thought:

Esther is a reminder of God's promise to us as revealed in Romans 8:28:
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."