A Working Woman

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For Mother’s day, two kids gave a plant as a gift to their mother. They even broke their piggy banks to have enough money to buy that plant. However, the mother noticed the sad faces of her kids.

When she asked why, one of them answered, “There was a bouquet that we wanted to give you at the flower shop. It was really pretty but it was too expensive. It had a ribbon on it that said, ‘Rest In Peace.’ We thought it would be just perfect since you are always asking for a little peace so that you can rest.” [1]

Seriously, a mother’s work really requires a lot of energy.

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The most creative job in the world involves fashion, decorating, recreation, education, transportation, psychology, romance, cuisine, literature, art, economics, government, pediatrics, geriatrics, entertainment, maintenance, purchasing, law, religion, energy and management. Anyone who can handle all those has to be somebody special. She is. She’s a homemaker. [2]

Because Titus 2 commands older women to train younger woman to be “working at home” (or “homemakers” in the NKJV), there are Bible teachers who taught that it’s wrong for women to work outside the home. 

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But the Proverbs 31 woman was a working woman. For example,

She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. … She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. (vv. 16, 24)

Here we find a woman who worked so hard not only at home but outside of it. Maybe we need to redefine what a homemaker really is. We should not restrict it to stay-at-home mothers. 

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She’s a woman who isn’t afraid to work (Prov. 31:13–22, 24). Whether it’s going to the market for food (vv. 14–15), buying real estate (v. 16a), or planting a vineyard (v. 16b), she’s up early and busy with her chores. You get the impression that the night before she makes a list of “things to do” and doesn’t waste a minute in idleness. “She sets about her work vigorously” (v. 17, NIV), whether spinning thread, helping the poor, or providing a wardrobe for her children. She prepares the very best for her family and they have no reason to be ashamed. [3]

As long as she makes sure her house is in order, even if she is working outside, a woman is a homemaker.

“Wise” Step

Take the time to appreciate your mother (and, for husbands, your wife.) Thank her for all her hard work. A dinner treat for her would be great.

NOTE: This is Day Four of the devotional guide (Volume 1, Issue 10) of our church, Filinvest Community Christian Fellowship, for the message on “Becoming a Woman of Impact” last May 10.  In view of the recent Mother's Day celebration, I opted to post this series of devotional guide. Issue 9 will be posted afterwards.

[1] Adapted from Rest in Peace. 2009. In Biblical Studies Foundation. Retrieved May 8, 2015, from https://bible.org/illustration/rest-peace. 

[2] Homemaker. 2009. In Biblical Studies Foundation. Retrieved May 8, 2015, from https://bible.org/illustration/homemaker.

[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Skillful (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1995), 99. Italics his.