Proverbs 31 - Words from a Mother to Her Son Lemuel

Who is this Lemuel?
Hebrew - Back to it's roots
"Belongings to God"
"Devoted to God"

Words from a mother to a son
a son belonging to God
a son devoted to God

Look for this woman she says-
a woman to Trust
a Knitter, a Merchant, a Cook
an Early Riser, a Night Owl

She's a Gardner,
a Seamstress
a Buyer, a Seller
a Humanitarian

She is witty
She is kind
She's well dressed
She's respected

Is there really a woman like this out there?
Who is this woman?
Who can she be?

She is you
Shis is me
She is a daughter of THE KING

Back to our roots
daughter belonging to God
daughter devoted to God

HE in us makes us worth more then rubies
HE in us makes us worth more then diamonds
HE in us makes us HEr

So tell your daughters
Tell your sons
Tell those in your life this advice-

"Go back to your roots
Look for that man, Look for that woman
Be that man, Be that woman
Belonging to God, Devoted to God"

-kartini r. maxson

Being a Proverbs 31 Woman

I have read Proverbs 31 many times before, and it sounds like an impossible feat to be that type of woman.   I could never live up to that.  It seemed like a daunting task.  How could I be this perfect woman? How in the world are we supposed to be everything to everyone?

“The Proverbs 31 Woman…isn’t so much a lesson on getting up early, sewing clothes, buying a field, or achieving perfection.  The heart of the matter is that she was dedicated to walking in virtue…My guess is, she wasn’t perfect—none of us are.  But she was ready and willing to be perfected by God.” – Darlene Schacht

After reading Darlene Schact’s take on the Proverbs 31 woman, suddenly, I was looking at the verse in a different aspect.  I am the Proverbs 31 woman.  Those of us that are ready and willing to be perfected by God and having Him lead in our lives, are Proverbs 31 women.  It is not a destination.  It is a journey.

This month we are praying that God will make us Proverbs 31 women.  We cannot change anyone else. We can’t even change ourselves, really.  So, as we pray that God will make us into the women He wants us to be, while remembering that it is a lifelong journey.

 “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25

This month has already started out for me with the devil trying its best to turn my eyes away from God.  Those virtues that God wants us to have, has been tested. Then I read the verse 25 and I can laugh without fear for the future.  God is still in control, if I allow him.  I then make the adjustments where necessary.

As a single woman, I look at Proverbs 31, and could easily say that it is not for me.  I don’t have children, or a husband.   Yet, I have family, and friends who need me to be a Godly woman.  My view as a single woman, is worded so well by a lady named Janette Ikz. 

“…You will know me and you will find me where the boldness of Esther meets the warm, closeness of Ruth.  Where the hospitality of Lydia is in line with the submission of Mary, which is engulfing the tears and praying of Hannah. I will be the one drenched in Proverbs 31 waiting for you.” Janette Ikz

I happened on a YouTube video where she was talking about waiting for her husband.  Then in the middle of the poem that she spoke was the above section.  I like the line about being drenched in Proverbs 31.  She goes on in that same poem, “…and I pray that I am always found on a mission about my Father’s business.”

So, whether single, or married, we need to be our Father’s business.  That is what Proverbs 31 means to me.  It isn’t an impossible dream.  It is living life for God and with God.  This month and every month, we must live our lives this way.

Dear Lord,

Lord, I want to be drenched in Proverbs 31 and always found on mission about Your business.

Laura Maxson

June Prayer Topic: Proverbs 31:10-31

This month we will be starting a new quarterly segment. Praying about, through, and claiming scripture for ourselves and each other.

Proverbs 31:10-31English Standard Version (ESV)

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10 [a] An excellent wife who can find?
    She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
    and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
    and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
    she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
    and provides food for her household
    and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself[b] with strength
    and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
    Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
    and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
    and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
    for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[c]
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
    her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
    when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
    she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
    and let her works praise her in the gates.