Great overview!

Gotta love the way Matthew Henry puts the Proverbs 31 woman in his commentary:

This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women's business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not. 3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter. 4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her. 5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully. 6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world. 7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever. 8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise her. Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.

Who can trust you?

"The heart of her husband safely trusts in her..." (Proverbs 31:11)

I'm not married yet (so I obviously don't have a husband :P), but this verse still hits me hard.  Just from a glance, I think that my favorite (and most challenging) characteristic of this amazing woman is summed up by just that: others have no reason to doubt that she is 100% worthy of trust.  No small print, no terms and conditions - trust, at all times, at all costs.  Trustworthiness is so rare, but so necessary!  You know, that friend you can go to and tell anything and everything to, knowing that he/she is not going to condemn you or rat you out; that person that you know you can count on no matter what.  Actually, when I think of TRUST, a few characteristics come to mind:
1)  Transparency.  It's hard for me to trust someone when I feel like they're hiding something.  As a Christian, we shouldn't have anything to hide anyway, but sometimes it's painful to live in the light, with even our failures and weaknesses out in the open for all to see.  Those close to us need to know that we're real with them, that what they see is what they get.
2) Honesty.  There is something so refreshing about a friend whose advice and input you can trust.  It's easy to go along with what everybody else says, but a true friend will tell you like it is (in love- Ephesians 4:15).  Can others come to you if they need sound, constructive criticism?
3) Reliability. Keep the promises you make; only make promises you can keep. But it's not just that... the Bible talks about making your "Yes, yes, and your no, no" (Matthew 5:37) meaning that people should be able to take us for our word without having to make us swear or promise in the first place.
4) A closed mouth.  Can others come talk to you, knowing that your conversation begins, ends and stays with the two of you?  The best way to destroy confidence and hurt others is to gossip and spill out the secrets and hearts of others that don't belong to you in the first place.
5) Stability.  Are you constant with your attitudes and actions, or are you constantly on an emotional roller coaster?  Do you control your emotions or do your emotions control you?
6) Faithfulness.  Does the way you conduct yourself leave room to any inmorality?  Are you concerned about being faithful?  If you're married (or ever plan to be), your husband has to know that you aren't going anywhere, that you are faithful to him and him alone, that you won't go around flirting with other men.  How else is he going to be able to trust you with all his heart?! <3

Perfect Match!

  The Proverbs 31 woman and the Psalm 112 man were made for each other!  <3

"Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,     (Prov 31:30)
  and delights greatly in His commandments. 
His seed shall be mighty upon earth:
  the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house:        (Prov 31:22)
  and his righteousness endures forever.
Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness:
  he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man shows favor, and lends:
  he will guide his affairs with discretion.       (Prov 31:16)
Surely he shall not be moved forever:
  the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:           (Prov 31:21,25)
  his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,
  until he sees his desire upon his enemies.
He has dispersed, he has given to the poor;  (Prov 31:20)
  his righteousness endures forever;
  his horn shall be exalted with honor..."        (Prov 31:25)

Proverbs 32

Soooo... one thing that bothers me about the Proverbs 31 description, is that it's not near complete! I mean the "Martha" is all there- going, doing, having... but what about her "Mary" counterpart? Any woman who wants to be virtuous has GOT to go first to the Giver of her virtue, the Author of her very life, and sit   and delight   in her Savior. Virtue starts on the inside and finds it's way out; it does not depend on external things, nor will the external enhance it. Unless Christ is the One cultivating virtue in you, there's a long, disappointing road ahead of you. Unless He is the motive behind all your efforts, they're all in vain. Only He can provide that strength needed for the busyness of every day life. Thus, I think Proverbs needs yet another chapter! =)

Why virtue? (¿Por qué virtud?)

Reading through Proverbs 31 the other day made me stop and think. While I wondered why on earth planting a vineyard or seeking wool and flax is supposed to appeal to me (or anyone for that matter!), I couldn't help but try to figure out why virtue is so precious and why I would want it. How is a young woman even supposed to become virtuous? What even does a virtuous woman look like in our modern society?! I know that today, "virtuous" is not likely to make it onto a young woman's ambition list; not because she wouldn't want to outstrip rubies in worth (who wouldn't?), but simply because it's a lost concept in our generation. The author of this last chapter of Proverbs asks: "Who can find a virtuous woman...?" But what if by asking the same thing, we start at the wrong end of the equation? Why not ask, "Who can BE a virtuous woman?" (Virtue: carry it with you or find it not!)  So, I've decided to dive right in start a blog with any ideas and findings that come to light.  =)  Feel free to join me in my quest, and please don't hesitate to contribute to any thoughts or entries!  God bless!

Al leer Proverbios 31 el otro día me tuve que parar a pensar.  Mientras me pregunté qué gracia se supone que me tendría que hacer eso de plantar una viña o buscar lana y lino (a mí o a cualquiera, ¡vaya!), no pude resistir esas ganas de intentar averiguar por qué la virtud es tan preciosa, y por qué la querría.  ¿Cómo se supone que una mujer joven puede llegar a ser virtuosa?  ¿¡Y cómo sería una mujer virtuosa en nuestra sociedad moderna!?  Sé que hoy día, no es muy probable que 'ser virtuosa' aparezca en la lista de ambiciones de una joven; no porque no querría tener un valor que sobrepase el de piedras preciosas (¿quién no?), pero simplemente porque el concepto se ha perdido en nuestra generación.  El autor de este último capítulo de Proverbios pregunta: 'Mujer virtuosa, ¿quién la hallará?...'  Pero ¿y si por preguntar lo mismo nos equivocamos de énfasis?  Por qué no preguntar, '¿Mujer virtuosa, ¿quién la puede SER?' (Virtud: llévala contigo o no la encontrarás).  Así que, he decidido tirarme sin reservas y empezar un blog con las ideas y los resultados que salgan a luz .  =)  Estás invitada a acompañarme en mi búsqueda, y ¡por favor no dudes en contribuir a cualquier idea o entrada!  ¡Qué Dios te bendiga!