The virtuous woman

The book of Proverbs ends by expounding on the virtuous woman. I've known that term — virtuous woman — for about 30 years. Until fairly recently, I didn't have a clue what it looked like, however. 

Everyone reading this blog probably knows I'm in love with a woman named Cindy. But the readers of this blog and even the author know next to nothing about her. Yes, I love her. But what do I really know about her? 

Our communication was brief. Our time together was illicit. We made mistakes. I won't argue that. None of that negates what I saw in her. God doesn't punish His children forever. All of that was over a long time ago. But, my thoughts for her remain much the same, and my heart sings the sweetest songs when it thinks of her. She is the closest I've come to seeing a virtuous woman in action. Yes, there is no need to point out that no one is perfect. Still, she is many of those things listed in Proverbs. And I am truly glad to have gotten to know her. Think of that! That alone is a miracle. This hard, independent man who needs no one and nothing is shaken to this core and brought to his knees by a sweet little thing named Cindy. That little girl changed him, rearranged him, and helped him understand that people can do so much more than just hurt him. 

If God grants me a certain number of days, months, or years to get to know that woman better, that is the only way the blessing of getting to know her could be better. Based on what I know, she is the closest thing I've seen to a virtuous woman. Below are the verses in Proverbs that pertain. If you've been following this blog for any length of time, you'll notice I've used some of the same language describing her. I've called her a jewel, a gem, a precious stone. But her worth is far above any stone. The verse that sticks out to me the most is how the heart of her husband trusts in her. What a feeling that must be! She is industrious and lifts those around her up. She cares for the poor and needy. She dresses attractively. Cares for her children. Well, you get the idea. What a woman.

Proverbs 31:10-31 KJV

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.
¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
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.
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.
¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
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.
²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
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.


The word "virtue" reveals what God is talking about here. Having virtue is a Christian principle. It is the moral standard that we all are supposed to adhere to. God takes us where were are, of course, and uses us as much as He can. But the key to the virtuous woman is the fact that she fears the Lord. Fear here means respect or submission to a higher authority. It's the opposite of rebellion. Proverbs talks a lot about the fear of the Lord, how it is the beginning of wisdom. It is, in effect, a corridor to greater spiritual things. In God's kingdom, things operate mathematically, as does the rest of His creation. First things first. Progress is made precept upon precept. Even the Proverbs themselves are mini-equations. Do this and that happens. Don't do this if you don't want that to happen. It's math we can all apply to our lives, essentially a manual for human beings: how to fix them, maintain them, make them do what they're supposed to do.

No, the woman I'm in love with isn't perfect, nor did we have the right relationship once upon a time. But, even through all of that, I got to see the kind of woman I want in my life. And that is the woman I'm in love with. 

Thank you for reading. And God bless.