Call Her Blessed: A Proverbs 31 Tribute to My Mother
By Mrs. Crystal Paine
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”
Virtuous women are few and far between, but Dad is so blessed to have found one! Matthew Henry writes about this verse in his commentary, “A virtuous woman is a woman…who has the command of her own spirit and knows how to manage other people’s, one that is pious and industrious, and a help meet for a man. A virtuous woman is a woman of resolution, who, having espoused good principles, is firm and steady to them, and will not be frightened with winds and clouds from any part of her duty.” You exemplify that to me every day of my life.
“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
I know Dad trusts you in everything. You always make him second only to the Lord in your life. Even if you disagree with him, I rarely can ever tell. You are always supporting him and building him up. You are always available to meet his needs, listen to him, and encourage him.
“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.”
You have instilled in us the value of hard work by your example. You are never one to shirk difficulty.
“She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.”
How many times you have gone out of your way to make sure we ate wholesome food? From trips to the meat locker an hour away to buy farm-fresh beef, to drives out of town to tiny food co-ops to purchase organic products, you always did your best to see that we were healthfully well-fed. Maybe at the time I did not appreciate it, but now I am thankful that I would much prefer a fresh green salad over a greasy hamburger any day!
“She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.”
Many mornings I would awake to find you had already been up for quite awhile. Not only did you often prepare “meat” for our physical bodies in those early morning hours, but, more importantly, you would be preparing to spiritually feed us. Thank you for the many hours of sleep you sacrificed on our behalf.
“She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.”
Our gardens would never be so beautiful without your constant care and upkeep of them. You taught us, through your love of nature, that the heavens and earth declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-4).
“She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”
Rain or shine, sun or snow, you have always been consistent with physical exercise and you have encouraged us to also discipline our physical bodies in this manner. But you have constantly reminded us that, though bodily exercise will profit us some in this life, godliness is much more important, for it will profit us for eternity (1 Timothy 4:8).
“She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.”
Thank you for teaching me to look for the best buy and not spend money frivolously. By applying these principles in our budget since we have been married, we have literally saved hundreds of dollars and been able to stay out of debt.
“She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.”
Thank you for sewing clothes for me when I was little and helping me with sewing projects when I was a little older. I’ll never forget the special quilt class we took together.
“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”
You have always set forth an example of serving others. I cannot even begin to try to count the meals we took to needy families. You encouraged us to work together as a family to reach out and bless others. In doing so, we were blessed as well for, “…It is more blessed to give, than to receive” (Acts. 20:35).
“She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself
coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.”
Thank you for the time you invested to see that we were properly clothed. This might seem like a small thing, but now that I have my own daughter to care for, I am realizing it takes thought, preparation, and effort.
“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.”
I truly believe Dad is the strong spiritual leader he is today because of you. You believed in him and reverenced him, and now God has honored him with the position of elder in the church and executive vice president of the company he works for.
“She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.”
Thank you for being wise in your management of the home and the financial aspects Dad has given you jurisdiction over. You always seek to save money so that you can have more money to give to others. You also raised us to have marketable skills, which we can use to serve others and earn an income in a God-honoring manner at the same time.
“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”
Your reward in heaven will be great. As the years go by, I pray you are also able to see on this earth some of the fruits of your many labors, prayers, and tears as your children follow God’s leading in their lives and are instruments used for the glory of God.
“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
All of my friends wonder if you ever raised your voice, because you have such a meek and quiet spirit. I am so thankful I was brought up in a home where love, not anger, was all-pervading.
“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”
You are constantly seeking to make the best use of your time. Growing up, I never saw you doing things for your own pleasure and enjoyment; you were always seeking how you could use every hour to glorify the Lord.
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”
You truly have been and are the best mother anyone could ever hope for. Now that I am a new mother, not a day goes by where I do not think how much I appreciate your many sacrifices on my behalf. I praise the Lord for you and for the example and testimony of a Godly wife and mother you have set for me. I know you are not perfect, but if I am half as good of a wife and mother as you, I will be happy. I love you, Mom!
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