If we have the courage to take an open-hearted, honest look at the portrait the Bible paints of a truly fulfilled biblical woman, we will find some startling, long-neglected truths. Don't color verses from Scripture with our American culture brush, but let the following verses speak for themselves. A praiseworthy biblical woman looked like the following according to Psalm 128:3, Proverbs 14:1, Proverbs 31, I Timothy 5:9,10, and Titus 2:5 ~
Gives her husband children if she is able and makes her home a pleasant place.
Puts her time and energy into the betterment of her own household.
Takes joy in her daily tasks, as doing them unto the Lord; working with her hands to enhance her home and family.
Puts a lot of thought and planning into how she can provide the healthiest food to her family for the best price, even if it means going some distance to obtain it.
Takes extra time and care to prepare good, nutritious food for her household.
Finds a "bit of earth" where she can grow good things for her household
and others around her.
Enjoys being creative and making beautiful things.
Always keeps in mind those who are in need, sharing what she can
with them. Is concerned for her neighbors.
Does what she can with her own two hands instead of depending on others to provide.
Finds creative ways to work from home to bring in a little extra income.
Takes the management of her household seriously, trying her best to be
prepared for the unexpected and makes sure her family will not be in need.
Watchful over her children, concerned with every aspect of their well-being.
Opens her home to visitors.
Welcomes believers into her home for fellowship.
Available when someone might need her.
Is the guardian, watcher and gatekeeper of her home.
This is a home-centered lady who does what she does every day first and foremost for the benefit of her husband, her children and her home. She works with her hands, grows a garden, prepares good food...this is how it has been for the majority of women for thousands of years. It is only within the relatively recent past that there has even been a choice regarding whether or not a woman would do these things. They were necessary for the very existence of her family. {Is society any better for having women leave their homes and working away from their families?}
Well reported of for good works;
if she have brought up children,
if she have lodged strangers,
if she have washed the saints' feet,
if she have relieved the afflicted,
if she have diligently followed every good work.
I Timothy 5:10
