Letter Sixteen

Amidst the chaos of packing my life away and entering an entirely new season and adventure in life, I have discovered my long, lost doodle pad. I had scribbled down a passage from the Bible months ago: Proverbs 31: 10-31. I read it most carefully last night and can't help feeling challenged and inspired by the Lord's words.


A wife of noble character who can find?


She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.


She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.


She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.


Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.






I just adore God's confidence in women to completely embrace their strength, purpose, and value in and through Him. The woman described in this passage is absolutely amazing and would most definitely be as Elizabeth Bennet would say "a fearsome thing to behold" only because of the amount of awe that would accompany any man or woman in her presence. I read this and was not only inspired as a woman, but as a Christ follower in general. I feel the Lord wants his children and kingdom to thrive off of the humility, generosity, and strength described in this passage. Happening upon this passage last night planted yet another seed of contentment in my heart that is watered by the challenge of rising up and pursuing the Lord fully as I embrace my identity as His daughter. "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." My heart pounds and my skin gets chills and my face blushes at the thought of such an omnipotent God entrusting me with this powerful identity as His daughter. "She laughs at the days to come"...what a beautiful image of a woman surrendered completely to the Lord and allowing joy to overflow from her through her steadfast trust in God. What an encouragement to know our Abba Father has such faith in us! Praise God for giving us hope and valuing us unconditionally.
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