Mama Monday: Proverbs 31 Woman Verses 1-3

While the politicians and commentators in our country have put the SAHM front and center over a battle of women who work and those who do not, (If you have no idea what I'm talking about do a quick Google search of Mitt Romney's wife and Hillary Rosen.) it reminded me of a personal devotional I did many years ago. While the world and politics may have a certain definition of what it means to be a "working" wife and mother, God defined that role as well. In probably the most famous chapter about being a woman: Proverbs 31 (ESV).

After I had been married a couple of years, I went throught this chapter verse by verse and wrote my thoughts down. I have decided for the next few Mama Monday posts to let everyone into my private thoughts and journal and share my ideas on what being a true "working" wife and mother is all about. Please be kind as you read these. Remember these are my thoughts and convictions (aka you don't have to agree!), but it would be a worthwhile exercise for any Christian mother to do.

The words of King Lemuel, An oracle that his mother taught him:

      What power a woman has! She instructs kings in their youth and the lowliest servant as well. The true glory of a woman is to know that God has blessed her with an insight to form the future of the world. The children who sit at a mother's feet and listen to her words will one day be the people in power and the people under their rule. How blessed is the mother whose children have heeded her words. How awesome is the responsibility of women to shape the future of the world. What confidence God has in us to undertake such a task! My only amazement is how any woman attempts to be a mother without God's direct leadership and assistance. I believe that many problems in the world today are the result of mothers doing just that. God gave us the responsibility; we must give Him the power to work through us.

What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?

     Mothers are not only instructors to their children but also provide discipline. Some of the best lessons learned in life are those where discipline occurred. It is a mother's duty to call her children on inappropriate behaviors. If they have not heeded her advice, then she will force them to listen. Children who have learned right from wrong will be able to go out into the world and tackle any and all problems. Those are the times when they will stand up in front of a group and say, "Thanks, Mom." Equal amounts of advice and discipline that is a mother's legacy.

Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.

     Unfortunately along with the power to create and build up, comes the power to destroy. Men are powerful, but when it comes to women, men can become weak. It is important for men to keep their wits about them and make wise choices when it comes to women. The wrong one will ruin their life. It is important for all women to take an inventory of themselves and see if they are building men up or pulling them down. Not only can a woman destroy a king, but inversely, she can make one. Women must check their thoughts, actions, and motives when it comes to men to make sure that they are creating a king for God not destroying one. There is a reason for the saying, "Behind every good man is a great woman."


Married to a king and raising a prince in the treehouse,

Chelli