5/8/13- Hard- working Woman

She seeks wool and flax,
    and works with willing hands.
¹⁴ She is like the ships of the merchant,
    she brings her food from far away.
¹⁵ She rises while it is still night
    and provides food for her household
    and tasks for her servant-girls.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girds herself with strength,
    and makes her arms strong.
¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
    Her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ She puts her hands to the distaff,
    and her hands hold the spindle.
²⁰ She opens her hand to the poor,
    and reaches out her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
    for all her household are clothed in crimson.
²² She makes herself coverings;
    her clothing is fine linen and purple.
²³ (Proverbs 31:13-22)

Thoughts:  Who says working women were not around back then?  This ancient ideal noble wife was a diligent laborer.  She was a merchant, an overseer to her household, a real estate worker, farmer, a textile weaver, and more.  But she was also someone who had compassion on the poor and needy.  She obviously was intelligent, caring, compassionate, diligent, hard-working, and a good manager of her time and household.  
    Perhaps this writer had an ideal image of this woman.  It reminds me of the son who tells his new wife that she was not cooking the stew "as good as how my mama cooked it."  Perhaps he idealized his mother's cooking and under-appreciated his wife's.  Regardless, anyone who reads this would want to stand up and cheer for such a woman.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for those who work hard in their calling.  On this national teacher appreciation day, we especially appreciate teachers.   

(Rosie the Riveter)