Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Daunting, right?? A virtuous woman has an adoring husband (whom she is never cross with), she crafts, she cooks gourmet international fare, she wakes up before the sun to cook a hearty breakfast for her family. She is a real estate expert, and master gardener. She works out. She runs a bustling home-based business (an etsy shop, of course). She does charity work, she has her food storage. She sews clothing for herself and her family. Her husband is bishop. She is always honest and forthright. She always knows the right thing to say, and is NEVER cross with her children. Her home is always clean, laundry done, and scriptures read. Her children and husband love and appreciate and acknowledge everything that she does.
That is how this scripture has always read to me before. BUT. Towards the end of last year, I had the thought that this passage of scripture should be the basis for our activities in Relief Society this year. Not because we all need to be all of these things, but because we all are already some of these things. I have a favorite quote from President Hinckley:
"I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass."
This quote encompasses what I feel about this scripture. We all have the potential to be great. Divine even. But all too often we allow thoughts of discouragement because of our weaknesses to become paralyzing, and we cease moving forward. I have found this to be true in my own life, and it is a difficult thing to overcome. We all have room to improve, and to grow, but don't let the things that you perceive as weakness or failure in yourself negate the amazing qualities that are already yours. My hope is that we can be a source of strength to each other. That we can appreciate all of the many different ways that there are of being virtuous women.
This year, I hope that by using Proverbs 31:10-31 as a theme, we can focus not on having to be ALL of these things to be considered virtuous, but that by being some of these things, we already are virtuous.
