More Than Rubies

 A wife of noble character who can find. She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10

Proverbs says “a wife of noble character is worth far more than rubies”, a statement that intimidates most women. It makes me think of my mom. She made her family her entire world. She loved my dad with a love that’s still single-hearted twenty-two years after his death, and we knew she loved us. That sacrificial love that dominated her life reminds me of the Proverbs 31 woman. My lullaby was often the sound of her sewing machine as she made our clothes.

The woman described in Proverbs 31 intimidates us because we believe she was some kind of super-woman, impossible to emulate. However, I think we’re seeing a glimpse of her entire lifetime, not one single day. She provides an example of the attitude all women should have toward the importance of serving as a wife and mother. This outlook is worth more than rubies to the Lord.

This interpretation is rare in our world today. However, we must undertake our task with eager hands, seeing it as important above all but our relationship to God. Her arms were strong and her lamp burned late into the night as she cared, not only for her own family, but those who suffered need.

This woman’s husband was well respected and she behaved in manner that honored him. The influence she made through service to others gave her the reputation of possessing strength and dignity. Rather than eating the bread of idleness, she prepared for her family’s needs far ahead of time. She undertook her God-given task as a wife and mother with a seriousness we are to emulate.

Her husband called her blessed, not only for her abilities as a homemaker, but for a spiritual life and commitment that served as an example. To make the Lord our highest priority, spend time in His word, seek His wisdom, pray for our family, and serve them with joy causes us to become the woman God created us to be.

There is winsomeness about a woman who puts her husband and family first. Nothing is wrong with having a career. Today’s economy often requires that women work outside the home. The key lies in what we see as our ultimate purpose, and that key is found in scripture.

If we first bless our families, the Lord will bless us in every area of life. Then we will be seen as more valuable than rubies, for our commitment, example, and the blessing we bring to others.

© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, 2011 and January 19, 2018

Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 41 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, you’re to follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon. 

Affliction

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. Psalm 102:25-27 

I feel afflicted and weak from time to time, in body, but also in my spirit and soul. What struggles frighten you and make you feel inadequate? We tend to act the way we feel, and allowing inadequacy and fear to take hold makes us weak.

A weekend trip to Colorado reminded me of just how small and insignificant I am. The mountains stand strong, robed in majesty, as they have for centuries, a testament to the power of the God who “laid the foundations of the earth.” God is so much greater than I am.

 Recently, I experienced a setback in my plans, a rejection of years of work. I felt weak, insignificant, inadequate, doubtful, and uncertain of the future. It reminded me of how small I am and how many people are better and more capable than I am. Surrounded by successful, confidant people who won awards for their work, the rejection of my own efforts was even harder.

The part of Psalm 102 that struck me almost as much as the word of the psalmist himself was the note my NIV Bible placed at the beginning. “A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord.” I was allowing myself to feel afflicted when, in spite of rejection, I received another opportunity and an unexpected blessing. God never leaves us at a dead end. He always has something else waiting up ahead.

Just as those mountains showed me how small I am in the scheme of things, they reminded me of how great my God is all of the time. The mountains will not stand forever. An earthquake could destroy them in seconds and God will someday bring them crashing down to be replaced with something better. However, the psalmist goes on to say that God remains the same forever, no matter what happens to His creation.

If you struggle against fear, inadequacies, and insignificance, look to your Creator. He has a plan for you, and He will see it carried through to completion. All that is required from us is to take the opportunities offered and do our best, seeking God’s help. He will never let us down when we are trusting in Him. He will offer another path. Look for it and go forward in His strength. I may feel afflicted, but God never fails.

© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, June 23, 2017

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About the author:

Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 41 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with me, I invite you to follow my blog, join me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.