WOMAN OF WORTH

"A woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised" (Proverbs 31:30).

My identity is important to my self-image. In this culture, when everyone’s label is tied to what they do, even in the church, it can be hard to see your value when you're a full-time homemaker. When I was younger, that meant giving myself to raising my children for God. It was a full-time commitment--loving them, being their teacher, and discipling them for the kingdom of God.

But now that I have adult children, homemaking has taken on a different slant. My contribution is one of a home manager and care-giver, providing services that my husband and son depend on because they are away from home so much. I am a deaconess in my home, a Proverbs 31 woman.

She is a woman who loves others by being a Woman of Health, “girding herself with strength, and strengthen[ing] her arms” (vs. 17). She is a Woman of Industry—feeding her family, providing clothes for them, and working with her hands. She “watches over the ways of her household” (vs. 27). She is also a Woman of Care, who “extends her hand to the poor” (vs. 20). She respects her husband and his position in the church and the community. And though he is the leader, she is a Woman of Wisdom, and her words reflect her wisdom and kindness (vs. 26). 

Be a Godly Woman

All of the charm and beauty and beauty a woman may have

Amounts to nothing if her ambitions

are self-centered.

But if she reflects Christ

and assumes the posture of a graceful servant,

she cannot help

but command high respect and favor.

The Proverbs 31 woman (or the virtuous wife) is praised for her works. But the work is only the fruit of her relationship with God. For “a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” (vs. 30). Just as our relationship with Jesus leads us to help others and share our faith, the virtuous wife reflects this in her home. It's her primary mission field—to care first for the needs of her family. 

In either case, I am God’s servant. I can serve Him at home just as much as I could in a hospital room, classroom or office. And when I see myself as a servant of the King, that makes me realize I have worth. 

In a way, I also step into the shoes of My Master. For my ministry embraces giving myself more fully to my family. I invest time in them and meeting their needs. Which is what Jesus does for us. He gives Himself to us each day, listening to our prayers, caring for us, being there when we need Him most. So while the needs may change as our children grow, the essentials of our ministry as a homemaker never does. We are still giving ourselves fully to our families.

But great as this ministry is, my true value still isn’t in what I do—in the amount of time and labor I have invested in my family. It’s what God has invested in me (and still does). His love is what gives me my sense of identity—I am the King’s daughter and He gave His life for me!

My culture may not see me this way, but if I do, it makes all the difference in the world.