“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 hence no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Who 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 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 planet a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength and stretheneth 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 honor 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 of 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. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:1–31
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“I’ll never meet anyone!” Kyra bellowed into her large cup of frozen yogurt.
This conversation was the same one she always seemed determined to have every time we met up.
“Yes. I’m quite aware of that.” I giggle at her melodramatic ways. Kyra’s talents were sadly wasted on our little get-togethers. This girl was born for theater.
“Ugh. What do you care? You have John.” She shoved a large spoonful of yogurt haphazardly into her frown.
“I was single for a long time, you know.” My words didn’t seem to phase her.
Kyra’s eyes widen from her self-induced brain freeze. She squirmed in her seat, beating the table with her stack of paper napkins. We both laughed at the sight of her reflection in the shop window.
“What am I doing? This is nuts. Why am I so miserable without a boyfriend?” Her smile faded slightly.
“Maybe you’re just not ready yet. Do you even know what you want?” Kyra stared blankly back at me, her long lashes fluttering.
Fishing a pen from my purse, I grabbed a napkin and slid them both in front of Kyra. “Start listing the kind of qualities that you want in the man you want to marry.”
“Marry? Who said anything about marriage? I just want a boyfriend.” She dismissed my idea by swiping me with her plastic spoon.
“Why waste your time falling in love with the wrong type of guy?” I watched Kyra’s wheels spinning, albeit her slight annoyance.
Today, I was over being the ‘sympathetic ear’ she had grown accustomed venting to. I left her alone with her thoughts as I drifted into my own. I began recalling the days when I once carefully wrote the qualities I wanted in my future husband. It always warmed my heart to reminisce of how God answered my requests.
Throughout my youth, I kept that precious list hidden safely at the bottom of my Hope chest. And, despite the ridicule I endured from friends and family, I still continued to pray that God would answer the desires of my heart. I truly believed that He would.
Kyra interrupts my trip down memory lane by shoving a stack of napkins back at me. Several sheets were used, a couple of them sticky.
Clearing my throat like an aristocrat I start reading her list.“My husband shall be: taller than me, know how to cook, won’t be a cheater, likes rock climbing…” As I rattle off her specific oddities we both giggle through half of them.
“Kyra, you know exactly what you want!” I plop her paper list down and resume scraping the bottom of my waxy bowl.
“Now what?” Kyra blinks those lashes again, her face full of expectation.
She’s hoping that I’ll just dispense an answer like a gumball machine. The first thing that comes to my mind is the woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31.
“Just work on becoming the kind of girl that’s worthy of a man that great. And, while your busy doing that, he might just come when you least expect it.”
I know my answer wasn’t as easy as Kyra was hoping for, but she had big dreams! And, the fact of the matter is laziness never gets anyone very far.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I have been pining for a love to enjoy my life with. I have been wishing for far too long.
Today, I dedicate myself to praying for the person you created just for me.
Help me to develop the character qualities that will not only attract this individual into my life, but also bring out the best in him/her.
Lord, you know what I need even better than I do. Help me to be drawn to someone that will help me grow in everyway; mentally, relationally and spiritually.
I don’t want to settle, Lord. Life is too short for that.
Give me the patience to wait for your best for me, and in the meantime help me to be the best I can be. Help me to be the answers to another’s prayers so we can glorify your name in our love for each other, Amen.”
*I dedicate this devotional to Kelly Marie Gordon. A woman who reminds me of Miss Proverbs 31 every time I think of her. God bless you and your husband, Kelly.
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Proverbs 31:1–31
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan