Divine Nature #2

As a young woman you are blessed with divine feminine qualities. Increase your understanding of and appreciation for womanhood. Read Proverbs 31:10–31 and two talks on womanhood from a conference issue of the Church magazines. Review what “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (see page 101) says about being a wife and a mother. Then ask your mother or another mother you admire what she thinks are important attributes for being a mother. List the attributes in your journal. Then choose one of those attributes and strive to develop it. After two weeks report your success to a parent or leader.

I'll start with Proverbs, because there is so much good stuff in there!

10¶Who can find a ^avirtuous ^bwoman? for her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband doth safely ^atrust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. (She is trustworthy.)

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (She doesn't engage in gossiping about him, as some wives do!)

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her ^ahands. (She works hard, and is industrious, careful, and creative)

14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. (She will go to the ends of the earth for the good of her family.)

15She ^ariseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. (She works hard and unselfishly for her family and those around her.)

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (She is smart and frugal, and again, works hard,)

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. (She is healthy and fit to have the strength she needs to do all that is required of her.)

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. (She is prepared for emergencies.)

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the ^adistaff.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the ^apoor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (She has charity and serves those in need.)

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. (She has prepared her family)

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her ^aclothing is silk and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her ^aclothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. (She is a strong and honest)

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of ^akindness. (She watches what she says, does not gossip, and is able to teach and discipline with love)

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of ^aidleness. (That one is pretty obvious!)

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (She is the kind of woman that her family want to be like.)

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30Favour is deceitful, and ^abeauty is vain: but a woman that ^bfeareth the Lord, she shall be praised. (She has a firm testimony.)

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

This last verse made me think of something that one of my sisters sent me recently.

The Special Mother
by Erma Bombeck

Did you ever wonder how mothers of disabled children were chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over the earth selecting his instruments of propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"This one gets a daughter. The Patron saint will be Cecelia"
"This one gets twins. The Patron saint will be Matthew"
"This one gets a son. The Patron saint.....give her Gerard. He's used to profanity"
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a disabled child".
The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy"
"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a disabled child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel!"
"But has she patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of sorrow and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today, she has that feeling of self and independence that is so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make him live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you"
God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness"
The angel gasps - "Selfishness? is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally she won't survive. Yes here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider any 'step' ordinary. When her child says "Momma" for the first time she will be present at a miracle and will know it. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty and prejudice...and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as if she is here by my side"
"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid air.
God smiles "A mirror will suffice"

Now I don't think this only applies to mothers of disabled children at all. I think this is every mother. Or can be. We had a Young Women activity a while ago, and heard from several mothers, in various stages of life. One was a grandmother who had raised all of her children, and is now raising a grandchild. One was a new mother who had recently had twins, and one was a mother who was pregnant with her first child. Each of them had a different perspective on what was important to be a mother, but one thing that they all agreed on was patience. Patience to wait for the child to be born, Patience when they couldn't figure out why the baby was crying. Patience for older children who are learning right from wrong, and patience with older children who may make wrong choices despite what you have taught them.

This is the attribute that I chose to work on, and Work on it I have. There are lots and lots and LOTS of opportunities to practice having patience when you are a mommy. I haven't learned it yet, I'm still working on it, but I have found that when I overcome my human nature and take a deep breath, and act instead of reacting, I am pleased with myself, and really can feel myself growing. It does get easier each time!