The woman who fears the Lord....

Today is Mother's Day.  I woke up to the sounds of my sweet offspring pounding on her door at 6am this morning.  Did I want to roll over and cover my face with the sheets, yes... but, I know that would be a futile endeavor.  As my heavy eyes opened, I gazed at the ray of sun that peaked through the curtains and I asked God for the strength to endure another day.  Strength because I strive to be a godly woman... a woman who fears the Lord, but I fail endlessly.  I am glad that I can ask such a favor from God...especially on this day.

Mother's day is a joyful occasion, but honestly the only thing I can think about today is Proverbs 31.  Josh read the passage below to me on the day he proposed marriage... and at this moment, I feel overwhelmed with the immensity of how hard I should fight each day to achieve such womanhood.  In fact, before I read this passage today the only thoughts in my head were.....What will Josh get me for Mother's Day? Who will praise me for a "job well done" with Bella?  Will I get to relax?  What Starbucks drink do I deserve today? Me, me, me, me... yada yada yada....

Read Proverbs 31 below... then come back to me....

Ouch.  It hurts.  I fail so greatly....

When I read this, I don't stress about the fact that my knitting skills consist of maybe sowing a button on something.  In fact, if I made clothes from scratch, family would be dressed in bags and appear homeless.  I am also not concerned that my artistic sensibilities amount to spray paint and tape.  I set things on fire often.... lock my child in my house while I'm outside in my bathing suit... kill plants... forget items at the grocery store...I'm clumsy...grouchy at times... sometimes I don't shower as often as I should.... eat frozen yogurt in excess and food off the floor... the list goes on....

What I'm most concerned about is this list:

...her husband trusts her...
...she dresses herself with strength...
...she opens her hands to the poor...
...strength and dignity are her clothing...
...she laughs at the time to come...
...does not eat the bread of idleness...
...charm is deceitful...
...beauty is vain....
...the woman who fears the Lord, is to be praised!

Oh if I could only aspire to achieve even one of these things daily.  I try, I do... by God's grace.  So, on this day... where we celebrate motherhood, I am going to strive to be this woman... the woman who fears the Lord.

Side note: My mother (Kiki) and mother-in-law (Carol) have lived lives that exemplify the woman you read of below.  How did I get so lucky to be within reach of such God fearing woman?  Love you both!

Proverbs 31: 10-31
The Woman Who Fears the Lord
[10]  An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
[11] The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
[12] She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
[13] She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
[14] She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
[15] She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
[16] She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
[17] She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
[18] She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
[19] She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
[20] She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
[21] She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
[22] She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
[23] Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
[24] She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
[25] Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
[26] She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
[27] She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
[28] Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
[29] “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
[30] Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
[31] Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

Thank you Josh for giving me Bells.
Thank you Bells for bringing me closer to God.