The Saturday Journal: Her Story is much like our Story

The women and young girls of my church have been participating in a monthly Bible Study this year and we are studying the Women of the Bible. I pray through the sharing of these lessons from time to time on The Saturday Journal, you will receive a blessing and an encouragement.

Have you ever wondered why some women in the Bible have names and others remain nameless?

Women such as Mrs. Noah, the Samaritan Woman, the Woman with the Issue of Blood, the Widow who gave the two mites, the Woman caught in the Act of Adultery, the Woman who washed Jesus' feet, and and the Proverbs 31 Woman and more.....

And then there are many we know by name--Eve, Hannah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah, Ruth and Naomi, Esther, Abigail and Bathseba, Rahab, Jael, Mary--Mother of Jesus, Mary and Martha, Elisabeth, Mary Magdalene, Lydia, and the list goes on....

You and I can never have the same story as Eve, or one like Queen Esther, Mary-Mother of Jesus, Rahab or any of the other women called by name. Just as individual as our names--so are our lives. But we can learn from these women--from their stories–their faith, their trust, their failures and weaknesses, their strengths, their sacrifices, as well as their redemption.

The women with no names–parts of their stories are our stories–relatable--even today. And we can learn from them as we learn from those we know by name.

The woman with the issue of blood–every woman reading this has been sick at one time or another–some with lingering health issues–cancer, muscle and bone diseases, some suffer from anemia and others suffer monthly to harsh extremes–maybe not 12 years with the flow of blood but with other lingering symptoms. And we are longing--waiting and praying to be fully healed. We are her story.

The Woman at the Well–the Samaritan Woman--she was a woman who felt unworthy, shamed–so much so she went to the well in the heat of the day. She may have felt the sting of being viewed as an outcast--unseen. Many of us have walked in her shoes--we are her story.

Another–the woman caught in the act of adultery. Can we agree that there are times we focus more on her sin in the story, than we do on the most important thing--her forgiveness. Perhaps we have been judged at one time or another wrongly, or felt ashamed of a mistake or failure--shunned by others. We are all sinners–and Jesus is still writing in the sand–and He’s still forgiving with undeserved grace and mercy. We are her story.

So what is it about this "no-namer" this Proverbs 31 Woman? What is her story? What are your thoughts about her? Is she intimidating? Is she the perfect woman? Is she one woman or does she represent many? Are parts of her story similar to ours?

She's a..........

Wife and Mother.

Verses 10, 11, 12, 23

10) Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12) She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

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

28) Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Maker. Artisan. Creator. Spinner, Weaver, Fabric Designer, Seamstress

Verses 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22

13) She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

19) She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

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

22) She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Farmer. Entrepreneur. Business Woman

Verses 16, 17, 24.

16) She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17) She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

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

Provider. Caregiver. Friend. Generous Giver.

Verses 14, 15, 20, 21, 27

14) She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15) She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

20) She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

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

27)She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

And she places her trust and faith in the Lord

Verses 26, 29, 30, 31

26) She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

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

30)Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

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

This Proverbs 31 Woman--Her story is not a checklist for us to qualify for the title. She is simply a woman with many different roles--just like you and I. And her one story is much like our many stories.

A humble thank you for reading The Saturday Journal.

My prayer is to share The Saturday Journal every Saturday or at least bi-weekly--

but always on Saturdays. If you would like to have The Saturday Journal come to your email box, please subscribe to A Beautiful Grace blog and newsletter at

http://www.tathelmiller.com

All photos @copyright Tathel Miller, unless otherwise credited to another photographer.