My friend lived in an ancient stone house down by the river Wye in South Wales. Over the front door and all along the upper windows grew this beautiful wisteria, producing gorgeous purple flowers that drew the eye and created the perfect adornment for the old stone cottage.
At my home, I had English ivy that grew and covered the neighbor's wall beside my back deck. I enjoyed the beauty of this hearty vine, even without purpling flowers like my friend's wisteria.
Did you know that the Bible describes the wife as a vine? Psalm 128 says she is a "fruitful vine by the sides of thine house."
As we begin thinking of Mother's Day, let's take that description and consider two qualities of the mother: beauty and fruitfulness.
Our homes reflect who we are. Some mothers love to decorate their homes for each season, while others prefer consistency. Some love a variety of colors, while others maintain a defined palette. Some homes are known for the smells from the kitchen, while others are full of crafting materials. Every home is different because it reflects the preference and personality of the occupants, most certainly the mother.
My husband likes to tease me about nesting. Since we often travel and stay in different places, I find myself trying to make a little home in each place. Even when living out of a suitcase, I tend to nest. This is how a woman reveals her heart, by decorating her home and creating a loving atmosphere.
The mother often leads in this nesting, which is precisely what Titus 2 instructs for the younger women: that they love their husbands and children and be keepers at home. 1 Timothy uses the word guide; they are to guide their house, make it beautiful and fruitful.
When we look at the woman in Proverbs 31, we see her beauty and fruitfulness encircling her home like my friend's wisteria. She was known in the gates for the beautiful fruit she produced. Her fruitfulness, and ours, stemmed from how she managed her home and cared for her family. She was indeed a fruitful vine to her husband, producing not only children and a side income but also a good testimony, an example of wisdom, and a reputation of godliness. She was a living testament to the power of beauty and fruitfulness. Her impact on her family and community was profound, inspiring us all to strive for the same.
When I reflect on the qualities of the woman in Proverbs 31, and I compare them to the beauty and fruitfulness of a wisteria enveloping a home, I am challenged. Am I, like her, an attractive and loving adornment to my husband and children? Am I producing excellent and beautiful fruit in my life? Do others see the fruit of my home and life as a blessing? These are the questions that resonate with me as I consider the impact of my role as a mother and homemaker.
The family and community's reaction to the woman in Proverbs 31 was praise, and I love that final verse: "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Let's be mothers and grandmothers whose lives create beauty and bring praise not only from our family but also to the Lord.
Happy Mother's Day.
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