Please join us over at Refreshmoments for more Ruby Tuesdays’ posts. To read part one of my series, click here.
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“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” (Proverbs 31:10-11).
I earned my P31 ruby today. Not for my growing of the backyard money tree or my turning grapes into wine or even my spinning thread into gold. That’s child play on most days. No, today I earned my ruby for bravely going where few are willing to go.
My eldest sons’ bedroom.
It’s been a long time, friends, and the snack bar that has now collected beneath their beds amidst the mile high pile of dust is enough to make even Martha Stewart shudder. What started out as a routine vacuum quickly morphed into an hour long re-arrangement of furniture as I huffed and puffed my way through at least three months’ worth of left-overs.
Honestly, I don’t get paid enough for hazmat duty; come to think of it, I don’t get paid at all. But rest assured, my crown is ready and waiting for the polished ruby that is sure to come as a result of my weary and somewhat unwilling doing. It’s a doing I do because a mighty woman doesn’t let a lifetime supply of dust get in her way. She simply keeps to the task because she’s been given what she needs to do the task…
The full confidence and trust of another. Accordingly, I venture into a second contemplation about Mrs. P31.
A mighty woman is a woman who has a mighty backing. In the case of Mrs. P31, that backing resembles a husband—Ba’al in the Hebrew language carrying with it a variety of uses including “lord, husband, possessor, the title of a Canaanite deity (Baal), rulers, leaders, the legal owners of property.”[i]
To miss this fact, to assume Mrs. P31 goes it alone when it comes to her becoming, is to miss an important facet of her transformation process. Without the confidence and trust of another’s backing from behind and from the beginning, her road to rubies is, indeed, a hard road to hoe. And lest you’re thinking it all revolves around a husband, think again.
After all, not all of us are married. Even if we are, not all of us have the benefit of having a husband who invests his confidence and trust into our becoming. Thus, how do we make this one fit into our story? What role does a man play in the outcome of our P31 status?
Here’s what I think. Take it for what it’s worth … my thinking in the matter.
I believe that you and I can reach P31 status without a man in our lives. That being said, I don’t think that we will ever reach our intended state of rarity without the backing of the One Possessor who lovingly held us in his arms long before we would ever know the arms of any other.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:13-16).
Our Father created us with rubies in mind. Nothing from his hands has been accidental or unworthy of kingdom status. God knew, even from our mother’s womb, just exactly what it was going to take for us to change our wanton estate into his rare intention. It would take his Son’s surrender on a cross. It would take a resurrection on an Easter morning, and it would further take a Holy Spirit’s indwelling at Pentecost in order for us to make the transformation.
By the time you and I came onto the scene of this world, Love’s redeeming work had been accomplished … finished and ready for the unwrapping some 2000 years ago. We don’t have to wait to take upon us, that which has already been done for us. It’s simply ours for the asking, for the receiving, for the shaping, and for the furthering of our becoming the “all” that our Father has intended for us to be.
His rare find. His ruby amidst rocks. His gem amidst gravel. His mighty amidst the meager.
God has equipped us to be his P31 women in this world. How?
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4).
Indeed, a mighty backing—a holy and sacred trust—invested into our hearts and lives so that in return, we might begin to resemble something far greater than ourselves. Through the transforming work of God’s Spirit within, we begin to look like the One who held us first, loves us best, and who puts his full confidence behind our ruby becoming.
That, my friends, is what I think a “husband” has to do with my Mrs. P31 status. Accordingly, my God is worthy of my best efforts at becoming his gem. Even when it means I must boldly go where others are unwilling to go … dust mountains, snack bars, and a little huffing and puffing included. I want to be my Father’s mighty woman, thus I pray…
Back me up, Father, with your confidence and your trust for my becoming more than I currently am. You, alone, hold the power to shape me into a rare find. Thank you for keeping me on task and to the road, even when my “want to” is lacking. If there is any good living in me, it is You, Lord. You are the reason behind my ruby red. Thank you for entrusting me with its humble carrying. Amen.
Copyright © March 2009 – Elaine Olsen
[i] Baker & Carpenter, entry for “ba’al,” The Complete Word Study Dictionary OT (AMG Publishing: Chattanooga, 2003), 151.
~elaine
Great Word, my friend!
Your insights have helped me see this portion of Proverbs 31 in a new light this morning. Could we possibly have a more mighty backing than from He who created us?
I just recently learned 1 Peter 3:4 for the Scripture Memory Challenge and was just thinking on it last night and rejoicing in its promise of complete sufficiency! Seems the Lord is making sure I fully get that. = )
“Indeed, a mighty backing—a holy and sacred trust—invested into our hearts and lives so that in return, we might begin to resemble something far greater than ourselves. Through the transforming work of God’s Spirit within, we begin to look like the One who held us first, loves us best, and who puts his full confidence behind our ruby becoming..”
What incredible inspiration for a new day. Thank you, friend. Humbly echoing your prayer this day…
Tracy
P.S. Having recently ventured into my own son’s room to do some “light cleaning” I had to chuckle in complete understanding!
This is a gem of a writing Elaine.
Your concluding prayer is holding me in it’s grip. I need my Father’s “back up” in order to get back up.
Beautiful Elaine.
Love ya,
Joy
Praise God for that mighty backing…especially when we venture into our sons’ rooms! ;o)
Blessings to you, my friend…
Beth
My boys are about to pass 40's threshhold, which means I don't get to do room checks anyone. Phew! I used to tell them the CDC would be reporting extraordinary findings in that the source of E-coli had been discovered, and it WASN'T Africa.
As I read along your post, the old hymn "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" played softly in my head. An accident? Hardly! You take us straightaway to the Source of all things confident & supported, and there we discover His wonderful power in us, and through us. It is enough.
God's best, my friend.
“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Pr 31:27
wifeforthejourney:
Thank you for all that you do to keep our home and our family life in order. You are good to us all, in near constant motion, and we would be lost without you!
Love,
Billy
Elaine
I love the room analogy. What is the deal with those guys? The snack stuff flips me out everytime. So funny. Good to know other mom’s have some junky dudes bunking at their house too.
Over the years I have learned to not put me in box. I’m different. Each of us are different. The P31 woman can freak some women out. My gifts may be in one area and another friend’s gifts something else. Too often we judge our worth on what another person’s successes are. We have to be the best US we can be. In obedience to Christ.
Thanks for the reminding of who’s backing us up. I couldn’t do it without him.
Oh, how we need the Fruit of the Spirit to be P31! And not the Fruit of “our” spirit… but the Fruit of HIS Spirit!
SO glad that He’s backing me up..in all sorts of ways! Beautiful post, sweet friend!
Love ya,
Susan
On the lookout for a can of mace today!
Thank you for sharing this mighty word. Oh, how I long to be this beautiful gem, and oh, how it takes the power of the Holy Spirit and the transforming work of God to accomplish that desire in me. It also takes my willingness, my surrender, and believe me, some days are easier than others. God help me, with my whole heart, to always strive to be your P31 woman.
Andrea
P.S. I raised two boys, so I know all about the room thing. Lord bless you!
How we love to hate that Mrs. P31 don’t we!! For a long time I felt that I just couldn’t possibly be good enough or live up to that standard. Just as Wanda stated, we have to come to the realization that we are all different and all have different gifts and we can’t constantly judge ourselves according to someone else. I am sooo glad God doesn’t do that!
Great post Elaine!!
My prayer is that God continues to “polish” me into that refined gem so that someday I will be found wearing a ruby-filled crown in glory!!
P.S. Your first mistake was venturing into the boys’ room! I just close the door and hope the Health Department never stops by for a visit!!
Your blogs remind me of “The Message” version of the Bible…not in the literary sense, lol…but in the sense that you take old truths and make them fresh and real for me today. I love that. He has gifted you.
Through the transforming work of God’s Spirit within, we begin to look like the One who held us first, loves us best, and who puts his full confidence behind our ruby becoming.
Amen.
I love that you make the point that becoming (I say ‘becoming’ rather than ‘being’ because I believe it’s a process rather than a state) a Proverbs 31 woman isn’t dependant upon having a husband. I was in my 30’s when I married, and I spent a part of my early 20’s wondering what I was supposed to do with myself and how I was supposed to serve God fully, as I so thoroughly desired to, when I didn’t have what seemed to be the expected husband. It wasn’t even that I wanted a husband then, but I was under the impression I couldn’t accomplish much without one. I was so relieved when I finally realized that I could serve God and He could carry out the work He planned in me with or without an earthly partner.
Thanks for joining Ruby Tuesdays again. I’m honored that you are participating with me.
This is an incredible insight that I’d never considered before. Such truth, and what an amazing lesson. Wonderful, Elaine.
Great word Elaine. I desire to be a Proverbs 31 woman. I want to be worthy of my calling.
This is just what I needed to spur myself into a little more action in this venue!
Beth
ELAINE,THIS HAS HELPED ME SO MUCH.YOU GAVE ME A LOT TO THINK ABOUT!THANKS FOR SHARING.HAVE A VERY BLESSED DAY!
Absolutely a creative God! To see your beautiful flowing text today simply affirms it!
🙂
I was laughing out loud reading about your entrance to your son’s room!! Couldn’t help remembering the day my son moved out after he got married. He came over to collect all of his belongings. I piled up 8 large laundry baskets [I had to borrow them] of DIRTY laundry for him to take to his wife! [I didn’t send them there CLEAN – only because the rule in our house was – “you do your own laundry”].
There IS hope though – he now actually helps clean his house and vacuum – not sure he’s done the laundry yet – but – some things never change!
I love the (2 Peter 1:3-4) passage in your post. Such powerful promises here – “He has given us everything we NEED for a life of godliness.”
And lastly, being a widow… it’s hard living without a husband when I had one for 34 years. BUT last summer on August 3rd – I married the LORD!! I actually chose to marry the LORD and take Him as my husband. He’s always been my husband in theory – but that day marked a new dependence on Him like never before. If He chooses to bring me another eartly husband someday – that man will have to understand God’s position in my life. He will ALWAYS be my FIRST husband!
Why? Because I am His Beloved!
Looking UPward and Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
[In Flight]
Praise Him that He’s got our back! Such wonderful and descriptive imagery, Elaine.
(And, I have to laugh as I imagine your beautiful face “ruby red” from the huffing and puffing of cleaning your son’s room!) 🙂
Elaine,
What a wonderful post! You drew us in with a funny descrption of you cleaning your son’s room and then led us right to your beautiful message!
And thanks for stopping by and leaving me a note!
~Jean
Greetings Mrs. Elaine:)
2 Peter 1:3-4 I read in my Bible study this week!~a partaker of the divine nature:)
katiegfromtennessee
Lord Father, may I strive to be like the P31 Woman. May I strive to be open to YOU and to be used by You. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Looking for a gardener? I might have some connections…
😉
After all, not all of us are married. Even if we are, not all of us have the benefit of having a husband who invests his confidence and trust into our becoming. Thus, how do we make this one fit into our story? What role does a man play in the outcome of our P31 status?
THIS SPOKE VOLUMES TO ME!
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Elaine, whenever I do get to visit, I am always filled up when I leave. You my dear friend bless me time and time again…thank you for always being real with us.
love ya,
LC
First I am blessed with sons who pride themsevles in tidiness. Don’t ask me how. My daughter…don’t ask. Just the other day my daughter and I had a long talk about her conficts in what a Godly women looks like. Much of the reviews she gets is about waiting on a young man to swoop her up and then that is where the story begins.
When actually as a single young or old woman to be practicing Proverbs 31 each and every day of our single lives. Great insights today. Thanks
Your sons’ bedrooms sound like my minivan.
I love how you bring it back to Christ’s saving work on the cross. And the gift of His Holy Spirit. Knowing we have such a mighty backing fills me with joy and courage for the journey.
Thanks as always, Elaine!
Elaine,
Thank you so much for sharing this. Definitely feeling that I need the Lord’s mighty backing. Wanting that transforming work in my life, fearful almost of where it will take me, but knowing that He is there… with me through it all.. there is a measure of comfort in that.
The depression isn’t so bad today, I think it is more the exhaustion from a cold. And a knowing that I have some “granite” places (see my most recent post) that I am coming up against. In my pursuit of God, I am not sure how to deal with or get through them yet.
Maybe more will come via email when I get my thoughts a bit more coherent. Right now I am amazed that I am even able to type…. so tired, but wired.
Thanks for this post.
I love your writing, and the reflection and work you put into it, the sharing of your heart with us, and your love for the Lord that comes flowing through. Yes you struggle. You are transparent about it, and always strive to let God be the center. I appreciate that so much when I come here. I have to give myself a good chunk of time to read and re-read posts you have put up to get the most out of them.
Thank you and God bless,
Heather
“If there is any good living in me, it is You, Lord.” How I echo this line of your prayer, Elaine. I need Him every hour!
You are such a beautiful woman of God! Thank you for your kind comments–I cherish the godly advice and instruction of women such as yourself! I am so blessed to have “met” you!
Becoming a ruby in His hands,
Rubie Joye