She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Proverbs 31: 16-19, 24, NKJV.
Dear God, we are thankful to You for being with us as we open Your Word to study. Please make it plain to us, that every aspect of our lives is important to You. In the holy name of Jesus Christ we humbly pray. Amen.
Yesterday we looked at the wife as a provider. According to the roles in which we observed her, she seemed to be a conventional stay-at-home wife, and, or, mom. Today, we are going to look at another kind of wife, who may, or may not be, a stay-at-home wife and, or, mom, who works. This portion of Scripture talks about her as a real estate agent; as one who trades goods; as an inventor; and a seamstress! She appears to be an entrepreneur.
Remember I said that we are women before we are wives, or moms. In other words, we were created women. We become wives and moms. This is crucial, and should not be lost sight of. As individuals we are created with traits, and talents, and we bring them to our role of wife and mother. It is important for our life companion to realize that at marriage , or, as we assume the role of motherhood, these traits and talents do not disappear! In some cases, depending on what they are, they are either enhanced, or, become dormant, but, they are always there! Therefore, it is actually cruel, to try to force someone to give up their God-given, innate, cherished, abilities, when their civil status (marriage), or biological condition (motherhood), changes.
One scenario could be of a working wife, who, after becoming a mom, decides that she would like to work, but from home. This decision could be due to the fact that she is not comfortable leaving her child or children with someone else, or the child is very attached to his or her mom. Under such circumstances, it would be helpful, if the husband and father, would share her vision and do everything in his power to make this a reality, by providing the necessary conditions and accommodations for her to work from home. These conditions could be emotional (his approval) or material (space, equipment).
Many wives lead very satisfying and complete, lives, while working on their dreams, and fulfilling the roles of wife, and, or, mom. Much of this success, is, thanks to an understanding companion, who has the ability to encourage his spouse to become all that she can become, and not feel threatened that he could be replaced, or become less important to her. Unfortunately, many wives have had to choose between making their lifelong dreams become a reality, and saving their marriages! This is usually the case if the husband is insecure.
The other side of the story would be if it were a cultural practice that the wife stay at home and assume only the duties of wife and mother at marriage. This should be discussed prior to marriage. In this way, the wife can decide whether she wants to give up one dream for another. May God help us never to allow our personalities to become lost in our relationships. When this happens there are no winners. Everyone loses.
Woman, be all that God created you to be, by His grace, and for His glory!
NOTE: These counsels are shared from a Biblical, not a clinical, perspective.