My Role Model

Today I was thinking about the woman spoken of in Proverbs 31...the wife of noble character...and after reading the passage 4 different times in 4 different translations I was more inspired than ever to become a woman just as noble...

¹⁰ A wife 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 women 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.

(Proverbs 31:10-31, Today's New International Version)

I want to be this woman, and although getting up "while it is still night" hasn't become a habit quite yet, I want to continue to try to pattern my life after this woman of virtue. She seems to have it all---an awesome husband, children who bless her, a household that she loves looking after, kindness for people and wisdom to go with it, a home business and she gardens too! Most importantly, after all of the jobs that she has and the projects that she completes, you can tell that her real identity lies in the fact that she loves the Lord. It's because of that she is able to be honored and successful.

Today I've been continuing my designing endeavor, but in my frenzy of creativity I've pushed aside what's most important---cultivating my relationship with the One who designed me! In becoming the woman of virtue I need to remember to give God my time too. If I don't do that it won't matter how many amazing things I create, because I'll be denying myself what I truly need---time with The Creator of everything.