Proverbs 11:16 says, “A gracious and good woman attains honor, and ruthless men attain riches, but not respect.” What a glowing compliment from King Solomon and what a shining example for us to follow!
A gracious and good woman is a woman of action. Far from the mousy, helpless caricature that some would like Christian women to be, the woman in this proverb is a force to be reckoned with (like a ruthless man!) She has a fire in her soul, no matter her personality type, that causes her to look at the world honestly, pinpoint needs and then get to work solving problems.
The world is a better place because of this gracious and good woman. Sheila Atchley wrote, “A gracious woman obtains respect because her very grace-filled nature is such a transforming force, everyone in her wake cannot help but hold her in high esteem.”
The problems that this woman solves may be big or small and they may be noticed or not. (Often they are not.) She will be the one straightening table cloths, bringing a meal, sending a note of encouragement, and the one who has decided that, instead of complaining about the moral decline of her children’s school, she will run for a spot on the school board.
She is also the head cheerleader in her church. She will be the first to compliment another, and “she opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness (Prov. 31:26).” She is a woman who prays and who, rather than expecting the work of the church to be done by others, has found her own place of ministry (1 Corinthians 11:5 and Acts 21:9).
This gracious and good woman, found complimented in Proverbs, is the kind of woman that changes the world and brings glory to Jesus. She is the kind of lady that we can all work to be.
(For those who have missed any of the previous lessons, you can go to https://comethirstyministry.com/blog/ and view all previous postings.)
Week Twenty-Seven
Day 1: Proverbs 5:1-23 (A Faithful Marriage)
Day 2: Proverbs 7:1-27 (Flee Temptation)
Day 3: Proverbs 11:14-12:4 (A Gracious Woman)
Day 4: Proverbs 13:19-14:1 (A Wise Woman)
Day 5: Proverbs 25:21-28 (A Contentious Woman)