It freed me from the bondage of perfection.
Have you read Proverbs 31 in the Message?
"A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!"
We have all read about this Proverbs 31 woman... the superhero? The granola mom with the orderly home, the cutest crafts, and the husband that is smitten by her. The kids that "rise up and call her blessed".
She is the impossible ideal.
She is never spiteful.
She is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She is diligent.
She is quick to assist anyone in need.
She always faces tomorrow with a smile.
She always speaks kindly.
I am often spiteful. I frequently wish for the day to end. I am lazy. I regularly pass up opportunities to help those in need. I often groan when my alarm sounds in the morning. I have been known to speak with malice.
This woman and I? We are exceedingly different. I strive to be like her and yet I always fall short. She is everything I want to be but cannot achieve.
Wife. Mother. Philanthropist. Gardener. Seamstress. Businesswoman. Crafter. Homemaker. Chef. Designer. Encourager.
But what if we read through that scripture again with a different approach?
We aren't called to be these things.
We are free to be these things.
Revolutionized. Inspired. Encouraged.
It was like a weight had been lifted from me.
I know that the Lord desires for me to be like this woman. He wants me to be kind, attentive, generous, joyful, and gracious.
But the freedom comes when I realize that he is not counting my short-comings. He is not keeping tabs of my failures. Instead, he has given me a goal to realize. An example to follow.
He has given me the freedom to strive for this ideal, without fear of punishment.
And that is freedom.
-Lauren
And so I tearfully respond. This scripture has always made me feel like such a failure as a wife, mother, teacher, ...
ReplyDeleteThank you, my dear daughter, for enlightening me. Jesus has never demanded anything of me as a woman. He's always been the one to free me to be me. Thank you for the reminder of who I love and why I love Him so!