Unexpected Revelations about the Woman of Valor

My Scripture focus in 2013 has been Proverbs 31:10-31. And I’ve been surprised by the impact this passage about the woman of valor has had on me so far.

For one thing, I expected that these verses would have no impact on my appearance. My initial thoughts were that it’s all about what the excellent woman does, not how she looks. I was surprised to find that the woman of valor is a classy lady in every way. I couldn’t help but think that a classy lady might care something about how she comes across to other people in her appearance.

This was a wake-up call I needed because I’d pretty much let myself go physically. People, I’ve been hanging on to maternity clothes, and my youngest is 16-months-old. Sad, right? I just hated that I’m not the size I was before I had kids, so have avoided shopping. I also hadn’t had my hair cut since before my youngest was born. And in case you weren’t aware, that’s plenty of time for split-ends to take over.

I’m happy to say that I’ve done something about both of those issues. I’ve made a few clothing purchases to help me look less like little orphan Annie. I still have a long way to go in that department, but I’m not so embarrassed to walk out of the house anymore.

And the big news is that I finally got my hair did!

Wow, I’ve been wanting to say that for so long.

It feels good.

Another way that I’ve been surprised by the passage about the excellent woman is that I thought it would be all about me. Instead, I’ve spent an awful lot of time thinking about my husband. And of myself in relation to my husband.

Proverbs 31:11-12 states,

“The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.”

What this says to me is that the valorous woman’s husband had complete trust in her. He trusted her with his strengths, weaknesses, feelings, hopes, past experiences, future plans. He had no need to go elsewhere for this type of deep connection and respect.

Ummm, yeah.

I won’t elaborate on this other than to say I HAVE SOME WORK TO DO. And I honestly don’t even know where to begin.

I will say that it’s a bit scary to think of the responsibility a wife has in caring for her husband’s heart. Again, SOME WORK MUST BE DONE.

Although I’ve been surprised by what God is showing me through this passage, I love it. LOVE IT. Unexpected revelations remind me that God is working in my heart and life, even when I can’t always feel it. And I definitely don’t always feel it. So keep teaching me, Abba. It’s just what I need.