A Hopeful TributeA Hopeful TributeProverbs 31:10-31Proverbs 31:10-31

A mother has the world’s toughest job!A mother has the world’s toughest job!

But when done God’s way and in His But when done God’s way and in His strength…strength…

A mother can be truly happy in the A mother can be truly happy in the middle of it all!middle of it all!

Proverbs 31Proverbs 31 10 Who can find a virtuous and 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable capable wife? She is more precious wife? She is more precious than than rubies. rubies. 11 Her husband can trust her, 11 Her husband can trust her,      and she will greatly enrich his life.      and she will greatly enrich his life. 12 She brings him good, not harm, 12 She brings him good, not harm,      all the days of her life.  13 She       all the days of her life.  13 She finds finds wool and flax and busily wool and flax and busily spins it.spins it. 14 She is like a merchant’s ship, 14 She is like a merchant’s ship,      bringing her food from afar.      bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up before dawn to  15 She gets up before dawn to prepare prepare breakfast for her household breakfast for her household      and plan the day’s work for her       and plan the day’s work for her

servant girls. servant girls.

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys 16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;it;      with her earnings she plants a       with her earnings she plants a vineyard.vineyard. 17 She is energetic and strong, 17 She is energetic and strong,      a hard worker.      a hard worker. 18 She makes sure her dealings are  18 She makes sure her dealings are

profitable; her lamp burns late into profitable; her lamp burns late into the the night. night. 19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,      her fingers twisting fiber.      her fingers twisting fiber. 20 She extends a helping hand to the  20 She extends a helping hand to the poorpoor      and opens her arms to the needy.      and opens her arms to the needy. 21 She has no fear of winter for her  21 She has no fear of winter for her

household, for everyone has warm household, for everyone has warm clothes. clothes.

22 She makes her own bedspreads.22 She makes her own bedspreads.      She dresses in fine linen and       She dresses in fine linen and purple purple gowns. gowns. 23 Her husband is well known at the  23 Her husband is well known at the city city gates, where he sits with the gates, where he sits with the other other civic leaders. civic leaders. 24 She makes belted linen garments 24 She makes belted linen garments      and sashes to sell to the       and sashes to sell to the

merchants.merchants.

25 She is clothed with strength and 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs dignity, and she laughs

without fear of without fear of the future. the future. 26 When she speaks, her words are  26 When she speaks, her words are wise,wise,      and she gives instructions with       and she gives instructions with

kindness. kindness. 27 She carefully watches everything  27 She carefully watches everything in in her household and suffers her household and suffers nothing nothing from laziness. from laziness.

28 Her children stand and bless her.28 Her children stand and bless her.      Her husband praises her:      Her husband praises her: 29 “There are many virtuous and  29 “There are many virtuous and capable capable women in the world,women in the world,      but you surpass them all!”       but you surpass them all!”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does does not last; but a woman who not last; but a woman who fears the fears the Lord will be greatly Lord will be greatly praised.praised. 31 Reward her for all she has done. 31 Reward her for all she has done.      Let her deeds publicly declare her       Let her deeds publicly declare her

praise.praise.

1.1. A Happy Mother Finds FulfillmentA Happy Mother Finds Fulfillmentin Serving Her Familyin Serving Her Family..(13-25, 27)(13-25, 27)

• Works Hard for the HomeWorks Hard for the Home• Finds Fulfillment at HomeFinds Fulfillment at Home• Teaches Her Children Teaches Her Children (Prov. 31:1-9)(Prov. 31:1-9)

Timothy’s Momma/GrandmaTimothy’s Momma/Grandma

(2 Tim. 1:3-5, 3:14-17)(2 Tim. 1:3-5, 3:14-17)----KnowsKnows God’s Word God’s Word PersonallyPersonally

----StudiesStudies God’s Word God’s Word CompletelyCompletely

----TeachesTeaches God’s Word God’s Word ConstantlyConstantly

Proverbs 6:20-23— “My son, obey your Proverbs 6:20-23— “My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. Keep their words always mother’s teaching. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. in your heart. Tie them around your neck. Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you. For these commands and this advise you. For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way to you. The correction of discipline is the way to life.”life.”

2. 2. A Happy Mother Finds Fulfillment in A Happy Mother Finds Fulfillment in Building Up Her HusbandBuilding Up Her Husband (10-12, 23) (10-12, 23)

• Genesis 2:18— “And the Lord God said, ‘It is Genesis 2:18— “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him.’”make a companion who will help him.’”

3.3. A Happy Mother Finds FulfillmentA Happy Mother Finds Fulfillmentin Her Inner Beautyin Her Inner Beauty (26, 30) (26, 30)

• Fear of the Lord is the only way to be Fear of the Lord is the only way to be fulfilled—the only way to serve your family fulfilled—the only way to serve your family and build up your husband!and build up your husband!Psalm 25:14— “The secret of the Lord is with those Psalm 25:14— “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.”who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.”

Psalm 31:19— “Oh, how great is Your goodness, Psalm 31:19— “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men.”presence of the sons of men.”

1 Peter 3:3-4-- “Don’t be concerned about the 1 Peter 3:3-4-- “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”precious to God.”

““One Godly mother is worth more than One Godly mother is worth more than 100 pastors.”100 pastors.” --Anonymous --Anonymous

“No one is poor who had a Godly “No one is poor who had a Godly mother.”mother.”

--Abraham Lincoln--Abraham Lincoln