There have been many things that I've not met eye to eye with when it comes to the current leadership in our country, but none has ever struck me so personally as the statement above. Because of this, I would like to respond, in a more personal way.
Mr. President, I would like to do a bible study with you this morning, in Proverbs 31. In case you are not familiar with the chapter, it is what most of us who leave the workplace to stay at home use to aspire to in our seemingly insignificant roles.
31:10
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.
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.
By providing her husband with the respect and comfort that only she can, he is free to work hard with less stress, able to be the provider that God intended him to be for his family.
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 female servants.
There is no economist on your staff that could out-pinch a penny from a frugal Mom. By working hard for her family, harder than she ever would in the corporate workplace, she keeps the economy flowing and the comfort coming to her loved ones, without a second thought to being laid off or her salary being cut.
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.
Do these verses mean she has gone out to work and left her family behind? To the contrary, she draws her family closer by using her spiritual gifts from the Lord to create extra income for her family. all while being ever present when she is needed by them.
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.
She has a heart like the God she serves, and willingly helps those less fortunate than she is. She denies no one, but works harder to make sure there is always enough to go around.
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.
She always finds a way to keep her family warm and safe, relying not on her own virtues, but in the promises that her God has given her, and there is no comfort like His.
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.
There is no wage on earth that will compare to those earned by her as she works from her heart to provide everything she can to those that mean the most to her.
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.
No matter how hard she is working, there seems to always be this stigma that makes what she does seems so insignificant. I am just ever thankful that there are no insignificant people in my Savior's eyes.
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.
Her job is so much
more than a full time job, is it a career and lifestyle that she is
blessed to have. It will earn her far more than a mere paycheck, She
will be responsible for shaping the future citizens of our country,
setting the tone for her husband's success in the workplace, and
allowing the lost in her life to see Jesus shine each and every day.
It is my prayer each morning that I emulate the Proverbs 31 Woman, and now, that more young women growing up listen to their hearts and find this path as well, despite your belief that this is not the direction we want to take as a country, because I truly feel that if we don't, the country that was built on these values is quickly coming to an end.
Good day, Mr. President.
Love and Prayers,
Pam
