Today's Devotional

May 9, 2005

Subject:  Give The Lady Her Due

Proverbs 31:31 - "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

Yesterday was our annual remembrance of our mothers.  It is known as Mother's Day.  While God created man before He created woman, I find it hard to see how man could've made it without the amazing industry and utility of the woman.  The Proverbs 31 passage is one of the most outstanding displays of what mothers do every day.  Of course Satan has attempted to convince women in our world today that being a virtuous woman leaves them wanting and feeling empty, but that's simply not true.  If you read verses 10-21, you will find a woman who has little time to focus on self.  She is busy doing much for others both within and outside of her household.  She is selfless in her efforts and marvelous in her works.  

While many of the methods of women have changed over the years, the heart of the virtuous woman remains the same.  While she may not be sitting at the sewing machine making clothes for her family, she still ensures that they are clothed, dressed and always looking good.  While she may not have "maidens" to feed and take care of, she does take the time to "hunt" for food to ensure that her family is fed everyday while family members seldom even think about where the next meal is coming from.  And in one of the most startling statements in the passage, "her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land."  Is it possible that this woman is so bent on taking care of her family that she has empowered her husband to be the best that he could possibly be?  What a lady!!!

Today and every day, we should honor the efforts of  our mothers.  They do more than we could ever imagine in sacrifice for us.  We need to show them that they are appreciated.  I pray you honored your mother on yesterday, but if not, it's never too late.  Today she's back at it so take the time to give the lady her due.  

Carlen