WHAT WILL BE REMEMBERED?

Our family has needed to attend a lot of funerals lately- three in the past few months.

At the most recent one, I was struck with something. The lady who had passed into eternity had what seemed to be an endless stream of people desiring to eulogize her life. In fact, the pastor had to finally stop the praises so the service could finally come to an end.

And in the longest funeral service we had witnessed yet, each person who spoke said basically the same thing.

They praised this woman for making them feel loved by baking cookies, for keeping her home in a way that brought honor to their family and for making them meals.

I think in her earlier years she did have some career success. But that wasn't the focus on that day. The focus was on how her sacrifices made them feel loved and cherished. They missed the way she made them all feel like better people because she cared for them in these practical, homemaking ways.

We have been taught that we should spend our time campaigning for women's rights; that we should look for our successes outside the home and that we should look out for number one- even if that means leaving behind the husband and children of our youth.

Lies.

I came home and baked cookies for my kids.

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is
profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds
the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms
to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has
no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among
the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and
dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs
of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children
arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive,
and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her
praise at the city gate.

~Proverbs 31:10-31

Blessings as you strive for the beauty that does not fade.