UPDATED: Proverbs 31 Mom

I introduced my mom to my blog last year and hope that you enjoy reading about her again this year.  Mother's Day will be a very difficult day for me.  I can barely stand to pass by anything labeled Mother's Day.  I attempt to tune out all advertisements.  I am so proud that she burned the midnight oil praying for her family.  I am so blessed to be able to have her example to strive to be like.  She loved  unconditionally.  She was a treasure to me and to many others.  Missing her this year. 

So proud that my children were able to know and love her. 

Praying that you love and cherish your mom this Mother's Day. 

Diane

UPDATE:

Mom made her journey home to be with Jesus on July 30, 2010. She was ready to see Jesus. Praise God for a godly mother. I love her dearly and she will be missed. Praise God for her reunion with my dad. I am blessed to be her daughter.



ORIGINAL POST:



Mother's Day is fast approaching and I don't want the week to pass without honoring my mom. My Proverbs 31 Mom. Growing up I thought she was shy and quiet to a fault. I wanted her to be vocal and bold. I wanted her to be different. What I didn't know (because of my lack of spiritual maturity) was that she was exactly what God wanted her to to be. And that she possessed the qualities of a Proverbs 31 woman. It was much later in life (you know when you have your own children) that I realized that my mom was a great example and one that I should strive to be like. Not one that I should have spent time trying to Not be like.

She was the wife of noble character. 10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. My dad spoke highly of her and had full confidence in her. He adored her. He was proud to be her husband. He cared for her until his death. He made certain that she would be cared for when he was gone from this earth. 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. My mom worked hard her entire life. She was able to be a stay at home mom her entire life. But that most certainly did not mean she didn't work. She sewed clothes for us. She prepared three meals a day. She kept our home clean (even our bedrooms). We never had to wonder if dinner would be ready at 5. We never went to the cupboard and found it bare. She made enough food to share with others. She was up long before our family was each morning. My dad never woke to a morning that coffee was not prepared. She didn't HAVE to do that. She WANTED to do that. She took pride in caring for her husband and 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 dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. My dad would plant a garden and she was the one that would get out with the hoe and take care of the weeds. She loved to cut the grass. My dad worked long days, but my mom worked equally as hard. 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. There was a song that I thought must have been written for her. "Midnight Oil". It is about mom's who burn the midnight oil down on their knees in prayer. My mom never rests without praying for her children and the needs of others. She has prayed me through some tough times. I never have to wonder if my mom is praying for me or my children. I KNOW she does. She faithfully prays for my siblings and their families. She is a prayer warrior. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable,and her lamp does not go out at night. 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. 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. 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.

My mom has strength that is unmatched. She is suffering from many life threatening illnesses. Most people suffer from one disease. She suffers from multiple diseases. She has been sent home to "live out her days" time and time again. Yet - God has a plan for her. He sustains her time and time again. Recently her blood pressure was so low at her doctor's appointment that two nurses took it to be sure - then the Doctor walked in to take it. He asked if she was really alive. She politely said "Yes - The Lord keeps me going for some reason". And He does. Medically she should have gone home to be with Jesus a very long time ago. I am thankful for the time that He has given me with her. Her days are difficult - filled with pain and suffering, yet she continues to get up each day and worship Jesus for each day. She knows where her strength comes from. 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. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: My mom has no degree. She has no awards here on earth. But she is faithful and she loves The Lord. She is not vain. Her true beauty lies in her heart. She has a heart for Jesus. She may not be able to get out and serve others physically but she serves through prayer. She does not sit idle. She studies scripture. She prays and she worships as she is able. She could have given up years ago and she has plenty of reasons to say I am not able, but she does not. She is still faithful to attend church. She will be praised at the City Gate. She is worthy to be praised. 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 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I pray that this Mother's Day you are blessed with a mother here on earth and I pray that she is a Proverbs 31 woman. If your mom has gone on to be with Jesus - I pray that you have the fondest memories of her. More importantly, I also pray that you and I strive to be more like a Proverbs 31 woman. It took me many years to understand that I was the one that needed to change and not my mom. How do we stack up to Proverbs 31?

Please share your mom stories with me. Introduce others to your Proverbs 31 mom. I hope you have a blessed Mother's Day this weekend and that you are a blessing to others.

Love you all,

Diane