Women

Yesterday I got invited to go to a show at the Michigan Theater titled Menopause, the Musical.  It was a "no holds barred" romp that had the ladies on stage singing about everything from night sweats to weight gain...foggy brain to granny panties - and it got me thinking about women.

As women we are often the care takers, the cooks, the housekeepers, the chauffeurs, the laundresses, the teachers, the story tellers, the pet care people, the social coordinators - and the ones who STILL manage to love up on our husbands once in a while (even if we also hold another full time job.)

Being a woman takes A LOT of work!!!

The Bible is full of stories of awesome women.  Here are just a few:

• Sarah - who supports her husband and leaves EVERYTHING to follow him when he says he's heard from God.  And then who at the ripe old age of 90 becomes a mother and raises a boy. (Genesis 12-21)
• Ruth the Moabite - who shows unwavering faith and bravery after being widowed early in life.  Despite being told by her mother in law that she could return to her own family, she opted to stay with her - and believe that God would provide for her. (Ruth)
• Hannah - whose faithfulness meant that after desperately praying for a son and promising that she would dedicate his life to God, meant that when she bore a son Samuel, she delivered him to the temple where he became an amazing prophet. (1 Samuel 1-2)
• Deborah - the only female judge mentioned in the Bible and an exceptional leader..  She  worked to purge the nation of those who kept Israel spiritually complacent and under the slavery to the Canaanites - returning to worship the one true God.(Judges 4:14-16)
• Esther - whose courage managed to save her people from anhelation (Esther)
• Mary - the mother of Jesus whose character makes her stand out even as a teenager, so that God favors above all other women to be the one who bears and raises HIS son.
• PLUS Abigail, Hagar, Miriam, Mary Magdeline, Rahab, Elizabeth, Priscilla, Mary of Bethany, Martha, Jehosheba, Jochebed, and Bathsheba - women who show exceptional bravery, faith, courage, devotion, godliness, and wisdom.

Proverbs 31:10-31 says good women are hard to find.  I do not think so, I believe good women are all around me, and when their focus is on GOD, they go from being good to GREAT!

"A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.  Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.  Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.  She shops around for the best yarns and cottons and enjoys knitting and sewing.  She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.  She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.  She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money put aside, plants a garden.  First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves eager to get started.  She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.  She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.  She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.  She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothing are all mended and ready to wear.  She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.  Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.  She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.  Her clothes are well made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.  When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.  She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.  Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise, 'Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!'  Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.  The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD.  Give her everything she deserves!  Adorn her life with praises!"