Candleglow
The next three quilt blocks linger on the final chapter in Proverbs, the infamous chapter 31. I say “infamous” because I myself have a history with this chapter. When I was a young mother, I let Solomon’s words beat me up by pointing out my shortcomings. I was on a journey of self-improvement, with four small kids in tow. I was just starting to get established in my role, and only compared myself unfavorably to this impossible proverbs woman. But then the kids rounded me out, chilled me out, and I realized that I was doing all right. All right is A-okay, good enough. Now I love this chapter because it affirms my worth as a wife and as a mother. My price is far above rubies.
See how many of these things you’ve done over the years:
“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchant’s ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is still night, and giveth meat to her household and a portion to her maidens . . .”
I bet you’ve done them all. I’m glad our “merchant ships” are now our minivans, and our “maidens” are our appliances. It’s much easier to keep a washer and dryer serviceable than to keep a housemaid happy. It’s actually much easier to be a proverbs woman nowadays.
For all the times Solomon warns his son about the many pitfalls regarding women, this time he describes a virtuous woman in great detail. Smart move on Solomon’s part to balance out his instruction, lest he scare his son off of marriage altogether.
Cuts With Scissors 