A Proverbs 31 Woman

Sally, her son Cory, and me in Pine Top, AZ, February of 2017.

"We are all sisters in Christ, and we are all mothers. Whether we are parenting our own children, favorite aunties, teachers, or Godmothers, those who’ve lost children, or prayed for children that never came...
​we all have a mother's heart. "

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      I have been thinking of the women I serve; not only at our Home for Mothers, but also in our community and it brought to mind a conversation that occurred many years ago.  I was Facetiming with my dear friend Sally, who is actually more of a big sister to me. We met when I taught her son Corey at Peridot-Our Savior's Lutheran on the San Carlos Apache Reservation 28 years ago.  I mentioned to her that I had picked out a devotion to read for a Women's Tea at our church, but that I just wasn’t feeling confident in my choice. She asked me if I had prayed about it and just a "tad bit" ashamed I replied that I had not. “RUTH! Ok. We will pray about this together right now.” Her words held such wisdom, and such strength of Faith in her LORD. It was SUCH a comfort to me and afterwards I felt so at peace. Since that day, Sally and I have prayed together several times.  
     Thinking about our conversation and the prayer Sally prayed on my behalf made me think of the incredible relationship she and I have...not just as sisters from another mister, but as sisters in Christ.  This extends to the mothers we serve here, and to women everywhere.  We are all sisters in Christ. Whether we are parenting our own children, the favorite aunty, teachers, or Godmothers, those who’ve lost a child, or prayed for children that never came...we all have a mother's heart.  
     God's word to us in Proverbs 31 comes to mind.  

Sally, Kasheena, Kochise, and me at his baby shower in 2017

"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...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."

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Epilogue: The Woman of Noble Character
10 [b]A woman of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Sally and I with our girls...Ella, Maggie, and Kasheena at the 125 Anniversary celebration of the Apache Mission.

​"Here’s the amazing, grace-filled thing. God sent his Son to die on the cross for every single one of those failures.  We are redeemed, that sharp sting and burning shame replaced with a peace that fills us beyond all understanding."   

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     Reading these words made me realize how I have failed at so many of these characteristics. I have broken trust, been lazy, lost my temper, been a poor steward of my money, and said spiteful things.  I can also guarantee that there have been a few times when my children have called me anything but blessed and my husband has had valid reason not to praise me. Have you felt the sharp sting or burning shame of these failures as well?  Here’s the amazing, grace-filled thing. God sent his Son to die on the cross for every single one of those failures.  We are redeemed, that sharp sting and burning shame replaced with a peace that fills us beyond all understanding.   
    

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
​giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

Sally and I at her home in Peridot, AZ, February, 2025.

God gave us Proverbs 31 to help us navigate the hills and valleys of this hard, yet beautiful life we live.  We may possess one, some, or (gasp) none of the described character traits. When we doubt our worth, when we question who we are and why God even put us on this earth, we need only lean into the words of Proverbs 31.  Here we are reminded that he chose us for his own, and his purpose for us is uniquely special. It’s a wonder really. To think of the love he has for each and every one of us.  When we dig into his Word, we get to know him, and he so very much wants us to. We grow to love him more and more and that love can’t help but be reflected in all that we do.
     We as sisters in Christ have the awesome opportunity to encourage each other to be a Proverbs 31 woman. We can pray with and for each other, support each other, and love each other.  I pray that God will continue to strengthen our faiths, our relationship with him, and with each other. May he help us to use our gifts to the best of our abilities. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

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The Triplets in the Springtime with Poppys blanketing the Sonoran Desert on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.