Some of the Other Things in Proverbs 31 (Video 26)

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Dear Ladies,

Those of us who remember the way the worthy wife in Proverbs 31 used to be taught have noticed the trend to present it as a working woman who sells land and makes money in the market--full time or part time on a regular basis.

But in this video I suggest you have another look at the other things in Proverbs 31.  Today the big emphasis is on the worth of a woman being the money she brings in to the home, where as in days gone by--yes, even in the day Proverbs 31 was written, she had value just for being someone's wife. That alone was a treasure, more valuable than rubies.

The Proverbs 31 model has become a reason to send women to work for a living, and to labor at things other than her own home.  There is not one preacher who will not say, "Oh but even the Proverbs 31 woman went to work!" and yet there are only a few verses that mention money, merchants, profit and selling.

Let us have a look at what it really says, and what the other things Proverbs 31 teaches.

I briefly covered verse 26: "The teaching of kindness is on her tongue," which I will address in this text.

What if, instead of instantly parroting the belief that has been so programmed into us in this era: "The Proverbs 31 woman was a working woman!"  the teachers and preachers promoted verse 26?

The teaching of kindness is on her tongue.  Yes, let us promote that verse and see the effect: Women and girls who are kind and not so harsh with their brothers and sisters, their children, their fathers and mothers and grandparents, and even with their very own selves. Would that not result in a better home, a better church, a better world and a calmer, more contented woman, self-controlled and free of the memory of rash moments of unkind words?

When people promote only the selling part of Proverbs 31 they are only putting value on money-making.  This money will "make itself wings and fly away" in almost no time but the teaching of kindness will make a woman beautiful inside and out, and go on into the next generation. Older women need to teach younger women how to be kind.

I hope you enjoy this little talk and will send all your great comments.

Also, the dress I am wearing (for the home) is made from a lovely soft cotton that feels so dreamy, called Waverly Inspirations from Walmart.  It is a perfect autumn pink and I already have the multi-generational dresses (for church and home) in the works! The print looks like pink honeycomb!  I enjoy the feel of the fabric on my fingers  when I sew it.

I used this pattern for my dress, with sleeves from another pattern.

I guarantee this is the most comfortable fabric I have ever worn.

I like the pink piping that sets off the print so nicely, and piping on dresses has almost become  my personal  trademark. It's on the sleeves, also.

I got this pretty scarf at Goodwill; it was brand new from their selection of new things, which I think they call "salvage", often still in the original packages from stores.

I want to introduce you to this new coach, made from a domed garden trellis and wire wreaths for wheels.  I am scouting around all the thrift shops for a horse!

There is one of the pink porcelain doll pumpkins from the garden, 

...and here is the coach from the side. It does not really go anywhere or move. It is purely decorative.

This is how the coach looked as it progressed, before the wheels were covered and the vines were draped. This horse was the only thing I could find for the coach (one of my children's old toys). It is not very convincing but it may make you smile.

I made a new friend in Russia via Skype and today she told me she thought it was a good horse becaise it would not go very far away. I do worry about horse thieves out here in the country so I bring the horse in to the house at night :-)

Below: a table top Cinderella carriage plant holder

Here is the one I really wanted, from Pinterest.

I found these lanterns at Goodwill and placed them on the side of the coach, along with a real lightweight plastic hanging light from the center.  The whole structure is very thin and lightweight ....a bit wobbly, so I have to be careful not to put anything too heavy on or around it.

A solar plastic bead chandelier hanging from the top:

Already, a few people have stopped by after seeing it from the road and asked if it is a wedding coach and if there was going to be a wedding. Hmmmm. Guess I will have to make a Victorian wedding dress to "go with".