Here’s a quick reminder that I am still doing a GoRings fundraiser until July 31st! They have a lot of incredible, handmade jewelry and they are created by a former World Racer. Go to gorings.com and select “Emma Williams” at checkout for a percent of the profits to go towards my Race!
A few weeks ago, during women’s ministry at my church, they encouraged us to rewrite Proverbs 31 as a proverb about ourselves. At first, I was really excited to do this exercise! I thought it would be a good way for us to see ourselves as capable, Godly women. But, as I sat down to actually start writing, I froze. How can I measure up to the Proverbs 31 woman? Isn’t it boastful for me to say all these things about myself?
I felt squeamish as I read the chapter and tried to think of ways I fit into the “perfect Biblical woman” example. This “Wife of Noble Character” seemed like an impossible standard to live up to. I’m nowhere near married and I have no children. I pretty much never wake up before sunrise, in fact I sleep through most of my alarms. I don’t make clothing or run a household or purchase fields.
But, is that really what the Proverbs 31 woman is all about? Do I have to do every single one of these things to be a woman of God? As I read the verses again, I realized that none of these things were dependant on whether she had a husband or kids. In fact, the core of this chapter in Proverbs is the values this woman displays. She is trustworthy, loyal, wise, and kind.
At the same time, the Proverbs 31 example is not a prescription for us as women to fulfill. Just look at all the women in the Bible, and I dare you to find one that is perfect. Rahab was a prostitute living in a pagan city, Ruth came from a city born out of incest and idol worship, Esther married a pagan king, Sarah laughed at God, Martha was too busy, Mary mother of Jesus was too young, Elizabeth too old. All these women had things that would seem to disqualify them from the Proverbs 31 standard, but who is to say that the Proverbs 31 woman didn’t have her downfalls? Her sin struggles, her hidden hurts? Ultimately, this passage in Proverbs is an example of the abundance we can have when we truly fear the Lord. But what does that mean? Fearing the Lord is feeling the weight of both His holiness (that is, His set-apart-ness) and His love for us and, in turn, obeying Him because of that.
I think placing ourselves into these verses of Proverbs 31 can be really beneficial. What does it say about my heart when I found it difficult to claim the good things I exemplify because of the good God I serve? Is my unwillingness to display all the ways He’s changed me and made me more like Him coming from fear of how others will react? Is it a degradation of His power? Is it a lack of joy in the way He made me? As women (and as people in general) we need to proudly proclaim the ways God shows through us, so here’s me, shouting those things from the rooftops in the style of Mrs. Proverbs 31 (with a few not-so-serious proclamations as well!)
Who can say that Emma is capable?
Jesus says she is far more precious than a sunset.
Her friends and family trust her,
and they know they can call her for a good time or for a heart-to-heart.
She gives them encouragement, with a dash of sass,
all the days of her life.
She makes selects as she sifts through photoshoots
and works while watching Netflix.
She might as well get paid to promote Trader Joe’s
with how much she talks about it.
She rolls out of bed after her alarm has been blaring for way too long
and watches at least one vegan cooking video a day.
She buys almost everything online;
she uses her money to explore the world God made.
She is strong-willed, strong-spirited
and dependent on her Lord.
She struggles with time-management,
but she is persistent when working on something she loves.
She is a creative problem-solver,
and a curious learner.
Her heart reaches out to the poor,
and she may feel uncomfortable,
but she pushes past that comfort zone to touch the needy like Jesus did.
She cares for those around her deeply and with empathy,
and drops the world to sit with those she loves.
She tries to consume consciously,
and Jesus clothes her in wisdom and songs of joy.
She rejoices at the success of those around her,
and she does everything she can to build them up.
She creates in the digital space;
she gives people a way to remember.
Strength and honesty are her clothing,
and she patiently leans on God about the times to come.
She opens her mouth often
and fights against the urges to bring others down, opting instead for loving instruction.
She is organized and detail-oriented,
and puts way too much on her to-do list.
Those who know her call her an optimist.
They praise the Lord saying:
“Holy Spirit has filled her and is overflowing from her!”
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
So, that’s it! My Proverbs 31. I’d encourage any woman to take the verses of Proverbs 31 and really meditate on how those same qualities are shown in their life. Doing this made me really think about how I fit into these qualities and I found it to be helpful in seeing myself more how God sees me as His daughter and owning the things I do well.
grace + peace
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