I met her shortly after I got to know the Proverbs 31 woman.

The Proverbs 31 woman, a composite ideal of wisdom and faith lived out in practical ways, took me by the hand and showed me a beauty that stood in contradiction to the culture around me. She was so strong and capable, yet lived to serve others – her husband and children first, but also her community. I wanted to bring God glory by being like her.

My heart longed to…

look well to the ways of my household

be clothed in strength and dignity (vs. 25)

have the law of kindness on my tongue (vs. 26)

do my husband good and not harm all of the days of my life (vs.11)

be called blessed by my kids some day (vs. 28)

be valuable beyond rubies (vs. 10)

But something happened. The Proverbs 31 ideal collided with my real life. With the real me in my real life. As I tried to apply the wisdom of this lady, I fell short. sinned. failed miserably.

I was often…

lazy and unmotivated in the ways of my household

clothed in self-indulgence and boredom

had the law of anger and manipulation on my tongue

didn’t respect and help my husband

didn’t deserve to ever be called “blessed” by my kids

felt like I was tearing down my house with my two hands!

But God in His kindness introduced me to another lady. She took me by the other hand. She’s the sinful woman from Luke 7. She is the one who came to Jesus while He was eating at a Pharisee’s house, “brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed His feet and anointed them with ointment.” Even now, just typing that, I can’t help but cry when I see her. I cry when I see her, but even more, I cry when I see Jesus with her. He says, “her sins, which are many, are forgiven – for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little.” And when I hear Jesus say that to this woman, I hear Him say it to me! Yes, my sins are many, but He has forgiven them all, and Oh how that makes me love Him!

These ladies from the Bible have held each of my hands through my journey as a wife, mother, and homemaker. They both lead me to Jesus. Proverbs 31 lady leads me to Jesus for strength and power to do what God has called me to do. She reminds me what wisdom looks like, then takes me to the Source of that wisdom. The sinful woman leads me to Jesus for mercy and forgiveness when I sin and fail. She reminds me what humility and love look like, then takes me to the ultimate example of Humility and Love.

I especially want to share this unlikely example of biblical femininity with younger women starting out in your journey as a wife and/or mother. I’m sure you know the Proverbs 31 woman and the grace and wisdom she offers. But this other woman, the sinful one, keep her with you when going about your day. And if you find that dark cloud of discouragement or condemnation weighing you down because you fall short, let her take you to Jesus. Hear Him say, “your sins, though they are many, are forgiven.” Then feel your heart fill with fresh love for the Savior. This love will fuel your life like nothing else will. Instead of tears and ointment, it may be serving your family in highly practical ways, but it is still a beautiful expression of worship to Jesus. Your life will bring Him glory being like her.