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Show Volume XX Issue VII The Ogden Valley news Page 7 May 1, 2012 The Proverbs 31 Woman: She shall be called blessed and honored woman ultimately trusts in the Lord for her By Pastor Greg Baker, Fellowship Bible Church It was eight years ago this spring and I was a month away from marriage. Those sacred vows were becoming a daunting reality; “till death do us part” doesn’t leave much room for error. It’s probably too strong to say I had cold feet—I just wanted to be sure. So I went to my apartment and opened a Bible to Proverbs 31, which I knew paints the picture of God’s ideal wife and mother. I asked the question, “Is Danielle this type of person?” The answer was “Yes,” and we were married a month later. Best decision I ever made! On Mother’s Day, I suppose I could tell all the husbands to buy their wives flowers and chocolate, and to treat them like queens for the day. But I hope they already know to do that. Instead, I turn to Proverbs 31 and allow it to inspire our mothers to even greater heights while simultaneously encouraging our husbands to appreciate the love, sacrifice, and fortitude of a Proverbs 31 woman. The very first verse of the Proverb is insightful, “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.” Mothers do so many things to make the house a home, but one of their greatest responsibilities is to teach their sons whom to seek for a wife; and their daughters, what type of women they ought to be. King Lemuel’s mother put aside her insecurities and failures, surrendered her life to examination, eschewed personal excuses, and exhorted her son to seek a certain type of wife. What type of woman is that? Let’s keep studying. The Proverb highlights several qualities that describe the character of the virtuous woman. The first to stand out is her work ethic. Her cheerful labor (31:13) certainly makes for some late nights and early mornings, but her family eats well (31:14), stays warm in the winter (31:21), and trusts her wise choices (31:11). Although the virtuous Photos by Craig Chastain of Eden. provision, her hard work allows her to rest easy at night; she knows she’s prepared to tackle life’s challenges (31:21, 25). Second, The Proverbs 31 woman behavior tends to be in opposition to that of what our popular culture tends to reward—she’s not stuck in the endless drama of perpetual adolescence, and her children are not accessories for her own attention gathering, but pupils to whom she has a limited time to teach the life-changing truths of the gospel. The virtuous mother leads by example; she’s generous with people less fortunate than she (31:20). She’s dignified and lovely (31:25), yet always ready with a kind word (31:26). Her wisdom skillfully guides the family through the maze of life (31:26), which is why her husband is admired by his peers. They say, “You, sir, married well” (31:23). I think verse 30 best summarizes the stark contrast between what American culture typically encourages and what God values, “Favour (charm) is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Last, Proverbs 31 speaks to the inestimable value of a virtuous woman. Whenever I sense that a mom is growing weary with her day-today responsibilities, I encourage her to read all the wonderful things this Proverb says about her. A virtuous mother’s value surpasses even fine jewelry (31:10). Both her husband and her children rise to call her blessed (31:28). The term “blessed” can refer to happiness, but typically means so much more. The word connotes unique esteem; she’s in an enviable position. In other words, her children acknowledge that other woman ought look to their mother on account of her exemplary goodness. I suppose it’s no wonder the book of Proverbs also describes the excellent wife as her husband’s crowning glory (12:4). Mothers have a tough job. Let’s honor them for their sacrifice and praise them for their goodness. Flowers and chocolate are always a good start! A Mother’s Day Tribute to Grandmother Ruth Viola King & a By-Gone Way of Life tinued to help support the family financially. By John W. Reynolds As Ruth tuned her guitar, she lifted the strap Ruth Viola King sat in a straight-back over her head and smiled at her two grandchilwooden chair, its only concession to comfort was a seat cushion stuffed with cotton. She dren, Shirley, just ten and John eight. The children adored Grandma King and enjoyed had finished her evening meal, supper, the treat of listening to her sing. Ruth’s which consisted of a “jonnie cake” favorite music was a mix of Church and with dark corn syrup, a couple of slices Bluegrass. She asked the children to of “streak-o- lean” and a cup of coffee. sing with her a favorite, “You Are My She had learned to subsist on a very Sunshine.” They made the song sound frugal diet. The cakes were made from joyful and hopeful. Ruth had given corn meal fried in lard on her little them cookies and lemonade as a reward two-burner electric hot plate. She sat for helping with the chores. Shirley had here in the living room, its windows washed the sheets and made grandma’s trimmed with lacy curtains, her small, bed, John had mowed weeds using a white-clapboard, wood-framed house was on Barrington Drive. She lifted Ruth Viola King hand sling blade, and raked up the yard. Grandma King sang more songs, her well-preserved guitar from its black leather case and waited for her grandchildren to the children listened intently. When she finished singing “The Old Rugged Cross,” John visit after they ate supper. She had lived there for about three years, asked, “Grandma sing the ‘Father’ song please.” directly across from her daughter Winifred Ruth asked, “What song is that Johnny?” “You know; the one about Father Long.” (Winnie) Reynolds. The dirt road ran about “Oh, I know the one you mean, ‘cept it’s Farther one hundred yards before it dead ended. There not Father. The song is about us understanding were a dozen houses; half of them were backed up to the railroad track side. Passengers and God’s love later on in life or, farther along.” “Yes grandma, it says ‘all bye and bye’ so that freight trains ran regularly and rattled windows means later?” Shirley spoke up. “Grandma, I knew and dishes as they passed. Ruth was born near Dothan, Alabama in that, it’s kinda sad though when it says “when death a one-room log cabin that her father built. has come and taken our loved ones . . . .” “Yes Shirley, it is kinda sad. I felt that way Benjamin Emmit Napier added more rooms as the family grew to 13 children. Napier (called when I lost my Henry, your grandpa that you Naper by the locals) had also donated land for never got to see, ‘cept for that picture yonder a school house, which he and neighbors built, on the wall. It was a terrible thing with him and he was the teacher as well. He would later being so young and our children being just little marry a former student when she reached the ones.” Ruth paused for a moment. She didn’t spend much time grieving anymore. Henry had age of 14—not yet an old maid. Mrs. King, as she was called (it sounded been dead more than twenty-five years now. “But I don’t sing it to feel sad, I sing more like Kang when folks said it), was a widow. Her husband William Henry died in because God promises that I’ll understand, later 1920, leaving her a young widow with three on, and I do. The song also says ‘cheer up my children under 6 years of age; Ernest (“Son”) brother, walk in the sunshine’ and that’s what I was almost 6, Winifred 3, and Jeanette 1. Ruth think about, that makes me feel good.” The children understood. Ruth sang, had to move in with Henry’s folks after his death but soon moved back to Dothan to the Napier “Farther along we’ll know all about it. Father home. Her children experienced the life she had along we’ll understand why . . . .” Ruth thought of William Henry King and the grown up with, and greatly enjoyed all the family and farm life. Most Saturdays their grandfa- day they were married, Christmas Eve of 1912, ther would drive his Buick sedan; loaded with and their eight years together. She was a strong boys and men, into Dothan and after dutifully woman, a devoutly religious woman who would “chewing the fat” with other men in town, would live on until 1982 when she died at her daughter load up their goodies and head home. The chil- Jeanette’s home in Calimesa, California at the dren and women at home looked forward to his age of 86. Son, Winifred, and Jeanette and their return because there would be candy, bananas, families were there to say good bye. Ruth would and cheese slivers from a round of cheddar. exchange her “old rugged cross,” that she had dutiEventually, Ruth would move one hundred fully carried, finally, for a crown. The world took miles north to Columbus, Georgia where there little notice of her passing; just another one of the were cotton mills, and jobs. They arrived just in millions of her generation who did what they had to time for the Great Depression, but found nothing do—persevere and keep the world turning. Once in a while, a generation gets lost and for“Great” about the hard times. They managed to scrape by with help from family, neighbors, and gets what life is all about. They become victims occasional jobs for Ruth and Son. He would of bad habits, bad advice, and poor role models. soon work for the CCC, Civilian Conservation Believing that the world owes us something Corps, on construction projects in the area. more than an opportunity to succeed creates false When old enough, he joined the Army and con- expectations. Ruth wasn’t one of them. |