"In Search of Virtue"

“Who can find a virtuous woman?” Proverbs 31:10a

Every time I read Proverbs 31 I desire anew to be like this amazing priceless woman.  The desire to pattern my life after this example sends me on a journey in search of the full meaning virtue.  What is virtue?

With some research, using my large "American Dictionary of the English Language" written by Noah Webster in 1828, I find the word "VIRTUE." The first defining word is "Strength"!  More specifically it is actually speaking of physical strength.  The second defining word is "bravery" or "valor".  I find this very interesting.  For, as a woman, we are not usually considered the "strong one" yet here we are given a Biblical example of a woman of strength and valor!  These two defining words are followed by more; Moral goodness, Moral excellence, Acting power, Excellence, Efficacy power, and Authority!  Now, I know that my husband is the head of my home.  He is my authority head.  Yet as a woman I have been given authority over those below me.  Those whom I daily care for and train- my children.  Authority in my line of duty.  I then must have Strength, physical and mental strength are absolutely necessary for my job.   Bravery, now this I understand!  It is amazing how much bravery it takes to tackle a mountain of clean laundry that needs to be folded and put away, or more seriously to take on the challenge of being my husbands faithful support, or training and teaching the children that God has placed in my home.  At times children do not always train and learn easily.  At times husbands make choices we do not understand. Yet, as a mother and wife, I must stand brave, knowing that God is in control.   Moral goodness, the ability to allow goodness and right living to dominate our lives by allowing God to control or heart, our tongue, and our actions.  Moral excellence comes from maintaining a right relationship with God over years and time, building a habit of striving for right.  Acting power is the ability to do right even when we do not feel like it.  When we are out of energy, when life seems to be crashing in, when husbands make decisions we do not understand, when our children are sick and we are tired.  Excellence,...wow!  I think of this meaning excellence in all we do.  In all areas of our "job description, as a woman of God, a wife, a mother, a homemaker.  Efficacy... once again I tear through the pages of my dictionary and find this word, which essentially means efficiency!  The ability to produce effects, further more, the intended effect.  (That is important for we can all produce an effect but is it the intended effect?  To produce an intended effect takes learning and practice.  The last defining word for Virtue is "authority".  As the home maker/ house keeper/ mother/ wife/ I have an authority.  I can use my authority wisely to delegate jobs and responcibilty to those precious lives that God has placed in my home to train for His use.  The children he has blessed my home with.  A Mother who does not use her God given place of authority is not being wise.  We need to keep our homes with the authority that God has placed in our hands.  Training, teaching, delegating, discipling, disiplining, and loving.  All of this equals virtue!  What a challenge... I have so much to do... 
Note:
This blog will follow my journey as a woman and the lessons that God is using in my life to make me more like HIM.  As you can see, the pattern for a godly woman is very complex and yet simply beautiful.  ~Colleen  

"The Virtuous Woman" -Striving for Excellence in Womanhood

"Who can find a virtuous woman?
For her price is far above rubies.

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.

She seeketh wool and flax,
and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants' ships;
she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night,

and giveth to her household,
and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it:

with the fruit if her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength,
and strengtheneth her arms.

She percieveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow
for her household is clothed in scarlet.

She maketh herself converings of tapestry;
her clothing is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen and selleth it;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her houshold,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.

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.

Favor 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."

~Proverbs 31:10-31

Welcome Friends!

This blog is currently under construction and I hope to begin posting soon.  Thank you for stopping by!