Role Models of America
The Pro31 Woman
Lesson 9
Proverbs 31:24
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
There are real secrets hidden in the verses of this passage that can prove to solve problems for women in their self discovery at every age. Every woman in the different seasons of her life, has to make hard choices about what and who she is in life. And every time period of life has it’s own financial issues to be grappled with.
Many women in this modern world must help to provide the income of the home, as the economics of the age often demands two paychecks to make ends meet. And furthermore all single moms can relate to this as they are numerous times - the sole breadwinner in their house. So no matter the age bracket a woman lives within, the income needs of the family often requires her to work a full time job.
· Young women in their 20’s are often searching their way along in pregnancy, motherhood and having a career too. It is a tough heart tugging experience to leave little ones and go off to work even when you enjoy the work you do. Yet her little one has needs that must be met both physically and financially, requiring her to work.
· Women in their 30’s have become experienced with the juggling act of work and homelife, and they focus on what is important and what is not in their daily workload. Their lifestyle is often very hectic with school age children, and their home work from school, her husband’s needs and the care needed in the house, not to mention the job she works and all that it entails within itself.
· Women in their 40’s are entering the mid-life cycles personally and are learning to adjust to their children’s different stages of life and their changing needs. As well as beginning to think of their own goals left behind in the past when motherhood came into being. Buried talents and forgotten dreams reappear as time passes and they face middle age.
· Women in their 50’s are completing their daily parenting responsibilities and learning to turn their eyes upon other goals as the ‘empty nest’ begins to happen. And often the reality of years spent on someone else’s dream makes her desire to find her own dream. She may go back to school, or change to a different job source completely.
· Women in their 60’s are seasoned, more comfortable with themselves and able to give more of their time and talents to other functions and people. She plans to retire and spend more time with valued relationships.
· Healthy women in their 70’s and above, have the pure joy of going and coming in their families and friends lives and find that others honor them for their lifelong works.
Yet in each life and stage, there can be huge challenges for a woman to provide from her own talents a sustainable income. How can she take care of her family and yet be there physically for them. It is a rare blessing when a mother can work a full time job, and have her children close by.
Women of all ages working outside the home, feel as if they have 2 jobs. One for their daytime hours called ‘Work’ and the other is their night time job called ‘Home’. They work all day at a public job, and then upon arrival at home begin their second job of taking care of family, house, food, cleaning, clothing etc. This is overwhelming and a heavy load to bear on the shoulders of women. At times it feels too much to bear, as the weight of most homes falls upon the woman to care, clean, upkeep, refill, cook, and often repair the home. Women of all ages who work outside the home can relate to this lesson.
But this verse tells us that this woman had found a solution to supply financial aid to her family, while she stays at home. She makes fabric. We have already studied in an earlier lesson, her ability to use the plant called flax and create material from it. She is innovative and industrious, using natural plants to create income from them. And having made the fabric, she has designed garments – beautiful girdles, which is another name for a long winding fabric belt around the waist. Which was a common garment to wear in those days. And having made them, she sold them to merchants.
How brilliant! She made something out of nothing, then created a accessory that all people of that time period would need, then sold them in the retail markets. All the while keeping her children close to her, and her life firmly within her own control.
In today’s world we could call this ‘working from home’. There are plenty of home based businesses that focus on a flexible work schedule that fits well with young children and mothers. The Proverbs woman found a way to stay at home, raise her children, use what she has to help create income for her family.
She trained herself in 3 abilities.
1. Found something to make out of a plant that cost her nothing but air and sunshine and water to grow it. A raw natural product.
2. Created a belt – made something useful that would be in public demand
3. Found a way to market her creation
What secret talent do you possess that you could be using to benefit your family and yourself?
The age of a woman and the stage of life she is at, can help her create solutions not only for herself and the needs of her family, but also for the needs of others. Her experiences in life can bring benefit to many others, by her talents and the application of them.
Older women know the battlefields of the younger women, and their expertise could be invaluable in wisdom and the supportive usage of her talents.
Younger women have the strength and curiosity to try new ways to fix old issues. Again their expertise could be invaluable in wisdom and the supportive usage of her talents for other women.
Finding value and significance in our daily routines is the greatest joy a finite life can have. And a wise woman turns them into financial gain.
Written by Gayla Holley
All Rights Reserved 2007
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