When I think about my Grandma a certain passage of scripture comes to mind. In the passage she isn’t a specific character with a name in the Bible, but a virtuous woman of character that King Solomon chose to close his book of exceptional wisdom, the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. King Solomon was the son of Israel’s most beloved king, king David. Because of Solomon’s character when he succeeded his father, he didn’t ask the Lord for anything but wisdom to lead His people. In return, God blessed him with riches beyond what any kingdom on earth possessed and he became Israel’s most wise king and built the Lord His temple as well as a palace of splendor.

In all of Solomon’s wreath and splendor his idea of a woman of great worth is one who fears the Lord. The legacy Grandma leaves for us is one of a patriarch. She loved and respected her husband with submission but was also incredibly secure in the gifts and abilities God gave her. She loved her children and raised them in the ways of the Lord and served God and others. She was compassionate and one of the most generous people I’ve ever known. While other women were fighting for their equal rights, she knew that in the eyes of the Lord, her worth was just as great as any man and she didn’t let anyone else tell her otherwise. She instinctively used her resources, her creativity and her wisdom to be her husbands valuable helper and enjoyed life while doing it. Grandpa is the head of our family, but I thin all who know her would agree that Grandma was the heart.

Grandma taught me so much. So much of who I am is because of her loving and gracious influence in my life. I am not here by birthright but because of the compassionate love of adoption, a reflection of God’s unconditional love and acceptance of me, just for who I am. Grandma demonstrated Gods love and taught me that as a woman of God I have a unique and special purpose that only I can do.

The woman that Solomon chooses to close the books of Proverbs with is an icon in the Christian world of women today. She has been studied, commentaries and Books have been written about her, ministries have been founded upon her character – and as I look back Grandma was the Proverbs 31 woman. She set an example of what it means to be a woman of virtue who fears the Lord. As You read this passage, my prayer is that you will remember the beauty of this woman of God that we honor today the and the extraordinary legacy she has left for us.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;

    she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.