The Standard Where I Fall Short

Proverbs 31:10 -31
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

These verses seem to be a common thread among Mother's Day sermons over the years. I know it is not Mother's Day and I don't intend on writing about the holiday. These verses, however, come to mind when I think about my duties as a wife and mother. When weighed against this standard, I always fall short. I find myself throwing a pity party on what a failure as a wife and mother I am. I don't cook every meal, sew our clothes, plant a garden, have a business, etc. I can almost not even relate to the passage at all.
As I read, and I think about what my duties entail, I decide to change a few verses. I dare not do this to toot my own horn, but just to acknowledge to myself that I do in fact measure up pretty well if judged in the right context. Let's check out a few verses again (now paraphrased).

She goes school shopping to make sure her children are thoroughly equipped.
She grocery shops to make sure her pantry and fridge are full.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she reminds her children to eat breakfast, pack lunches, and drink water at practices.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She looks for deals and tries to be frugal, and her lamp does not go out at night.
She does what she can to help the less fortunate thru Camp Viola, Pregnancy Center, Mission Work.
When trouble comes, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in in the Blood of the Lamb.
She makes makes the beds; she does her best to take care of herself, and her home.
Her husband is respected at the county, where he takes his seat among the public officials of the area.
She volunteers in the community to give back as a response to the many blessings she has received.
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, keeps track of everyone’s schedules and transportation needs, and does not eat the bread of idleness, and sometimes not even lunch!
Her children arise and call her blessed (in a way); 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.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I will always fall short in some area. That is a given! However, isn't it wonderful that our Lord looks to our heart? I do not do what I do out of obligation, but out of love. My house may not be as clean as another family's, or I may not dress as cool as another mom, but my children and husband will never doubt my love for them. Nor will they ever doubt my love for God. So, I guess after pondering just a little more on these verses, and modernizing just a bit, I seem to be doing A-OK! The job is not done yet though! Back to work! :)