The Proverbs 31 Woman

A couple of weeks ago I started a sermon series on the book of Proverbs. It’s interesting – the older I get, the more I appreciate the proverbs. I remember my dad reading through them with our family when I was a kid and thinking they were pretty redundant. But maybe I handle repetition better, now. Or maybe I realize more how much the truth has to be hammered into my head… blow after blow after blow.

For Mothers’s Day, I preached on Proverbs 31 – it seemed appropriate. The more I thought about the passage, the more I realized that even though it speaks of an ideal, it has direct application to any wife who is truly seeking after God. I decided to write a paraphrase for Karen, my Proverbs 31 woman. (Truthfully, I think it’s something every Christian husband ought to try… our wives deserve more praise than they usually get!)

So here’s my tribute to Karen. I know my last blog was a tribute to Karen, as well. But perhaps there are some things that bear repeating as often as possible.

PROVERBS 31 – A PARAPHRASE FOR KAREN

If I searched the world over, I could never find the likes of you, Babe
I wouldn’t trade you for a 50 carat diamond.

It’s amazing: you accomplish anything you put your mind to,
So actually I could retire early, and wouldn’t have to worry.

You’ve got my back, you’ve got my blind side
And you’ll keep watching out for me for the rest of my life.

You’re amazing with your hands,
Sewing on my buttons, fixing my ripped pants.

You’re like a shopping genie,
Finding wonderful delights to prepare for your family that intrigue both eye and palate.

And you don’t lay around in the morning – you’re always up and at ‘em,
Getting breakfast for the kids and starting us on our day.

You started your own business, built it up, made it profitable
Then sold it for good money – way to go.

You approach life with gusto;
You never shy away from hard work.

You make sure that the projects you undertake are a success,
Even when it means working long into the night.

You love to use your Viking sewing machine,
And you master all those different stitches – how cool is that?

You have an open-door policy when it comes to guests – especially the students,
And always have the nachos or chocolate chip cookies or baked apples coming hot out of the oven for them.

We as your family never had to worry about having the right clothes
Because you’d find the most amazing stuff for us at Salvation Army – like this sweater I’m wearing right now.

Not only that, you know how to doll yourself up pretty nicely
And when you wear those long dark jeans with your black heeled boots, you’re smokin’ hot.

Another thing: You have this wonderful way of making me look good,
And I can’t tell you how much respect I get from my friends because of you.

Your creativity amazes me – your decoration skills are unsurpassed:
Whatever you put your hand to has beauty in its form.

You carry yourself with such class and with such grace,
That we can put our worries about the future to rest – there will always be a sure path to walk.

Others seek you out for your listening ear and your understanding heart,
And the advice you give is sound – it has God’s fingerprints all over it.

You keep a watchful eye on your family, like a Border Collie watching over the flock;
Your diligence is unwavering.

Your kids are truly proud of you – and they’re not afraid to say it;
And I can’t help but sing your praises:

There are a lot of awesome women out there,
But you go way beyond every single one of them.

Some women rely on face lifts and tummy tucks (there’s a lot of fakery in the world right now)
But a woman who really loves God and submits herself fully to him? You just can’t do any better than that!

So I’m going to broadcast to the world the things you’ve done for others and for me,
When someone is as incredible as you are, the word gets around!