The Perfect Woman

I read about the "perfect" woman. Let me tell you about her.

The perfect woman:

The first thing I read was that she always helped her husband and did not work against him. Her husband was a well known civic leader in the town and although he did not help around the house, he trusted her and she took care of all his needs.

She took excellent care of her household and children. She would arise before dawn and prepare breakfast for all and make plans for the day for all who worked for her. She watched carefully over her entire household and was never lazy.

She was a thrifty shopper both in household items and foods. She constantly watched for bargains and used the very best she could purchase from the market.

She was an accomplished clothing designer. Her designs were made and sold to the public and she made the clothing for her own family. The clothing she wore was of the very finest cloth and she did sewing for the poor and gave generously to the needy. She bought the best tapestry material and upholstered her own furniture so her home reflected her designer quality.

As a sideline business, she invested in real-estate and did some of the work herself to make the investment productive. She was always energetic and hard working.

She was a woman of strength and dignity and had no fear of old age. Her words were wise and kindness was the rule for everything she said. Her children respected her and her husband said she was the "best woman in the world".

What I learned from this woman:

The first thing I learned was to honor and respect my husband. I did not need to look to him to take care of any of my responsibilities. I could develop my own life, my own world, aside from him.

I needed to be thrifty and responsible to my household duties and I could hire outside help with household chores. It was my responsibility to see that they were done, not necessarily do them all myself.

It was acceptable to work; to be an entrepreneur; to own a business. As a girl I always wanted to have a career and at that time, society looked down on a woman working outside the home. This woman's story removed any guilt I felt. I enjoyed the work I did and the things I accomplished. I do not believe my family suffered because of it. I and my family deserve the very best.

Today, I believe I am a woman of strength and dignity. I do not fear old age.

You can read this woman's story for yourself, it is in Proverbs, Chapter 31.