The opening of the garage door stirred me from my sleep. At first, I thought I was still dreaming but after repeatedly groping for my alarm clock, I discovered the time was 4:15 AM. Was my wife returning home from her office at this hour? I crept downstairs and found her in our home office, busy at the computer and oblivious to my presence. “Good morning! Did you have a nice sleep?”
She looked up and forced a weak smile, “I’ve been working all night on this application for the SBA loan. I had to get all the paperwork ready at my office before I could return home. There are only a finite number of loans available and I need to get mine in as soon as possible.”
I nodded and hugged my wife. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a cataclysmic financial disaster for nearly every business in our country. As a pediatric dentist, my wife was forced to close her practice since it was declared to be at high risk for spreading the virus. The resulting disruption was devastating for her practice, her employees, and her patients. The most recent government financial aid package provides employers with an unprecedented opportunity to apply for an SBA loan so that employers can be completely compensated for the salaries they still needed to pay their employees, even if their business was shut down. My wife was frantically working to support her practice and employees all while taking care of her family who always needs her.
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
Proverbs 31:15 (ESV)
Proverbs 31 is sometimes held as the godly standard for a virtuous woman and wife. While laudable, some feel it sets unrealistic expectations for women, particularly professional working women. As my wife labors to complete her many tasks, she does it all without complaining because she knows she is serving God through her roles as a professional woman, wife, and mother. I marvel at her fortitude and resilience for I lack her patience and strength. My faith in God is diminutive compared to hers. It is painfully evident to me that Proverbs 31 should also be the godly standard for all men and husbands.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:30-31 (ESV)
I praise my wife and all godly women who fear God and place Him first in their lives. I pray that God will continue to give my wife and all women the strength and wisdom to navigate the unique demands of the modern godly woman.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 