I am going to borrow of an article I once read entitled “The Re-Domestication of the American Woman”. I believe the title speaks for itself as well as that it is absolutely a perfect description of where many women are and choose to be in this society. I am meeting more and more women who long to be stay-at-home wives and mothers who also equally desire to have fulfilling careers and or ministries. This may seem like a paradox, but it is actually not. It fits in perfectly with the career age we are in and that is the Age of Entrepreneurship.
With the economy crashing and the increasing inability for college grads to find enjoyable jobs in or out of their fields of study, it is becoming increasingly popular for the recent grads as well as unemployed to create their own businesses. I just received an email from Young Entrepreneur about it today entitled “Entrepreneurship as a Career Choice for New Grads Gets Some Respect”. I believe that especially as women, the Proverbs 31 Woman (or “P.31” as we’ll call her) is the perfect role model of entrepreneurship.
P.31 Woman
“Whocan find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.’ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates,” (Proverbs 31:10-31).
P.31 Character
This is probably the most notable trait of P.31 that we should emulate—she is absolutely brimming with Godly character. We see this by the way her husband trusts her and the way her family praises her. We also see it in her work ethic. She is always doing something of value, always taking care of those around her including her family and employees, and she is always kind. It also says that “strength and honor are her clothing” which means that she literally wears her integrity on her sleeve; everyone can see it and because she is honourable, she will always be honoured and respected herself. This is the type of fortuitous woman we should model ourselves after whether we are entrepreneurs or not.
P.31 Wisdom
P.31 is also an extremely wise woman. We can see the use of her discernment in the fact that her husband trusts her (it would be hard to trust anyone with no discretion or discernment). You can tell that she handles her finances well at home and in every venture she takes on such as her business deals, real purchases, and investments. She produces products to be sold (i.e. products of her vineyard, linen garments, and sashes) and wisely prices those items. We can infer this because who trusts a merchandiser who unfairly prices their items? No one. She is wise and this is especially important when considering pricing our own business products and services during a recession. If we wisely price our services and rates, then even during a recession, we will be able to grow our business. Godly wisdom always supersedes worldly wisdom.
P.31 Charity
All throughout the P.31 passage, we can appropriately infer that she is a loving woman. And in conjunction with that love, she is a philanthropist. It says that she “extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy” which is not just a godly trait, but a smart business move as well. As Christians we know that when we give cheerfully men will give into our bosoms “pressed down, shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38) and shall reap bountifully (II Corinthians 9:6).
P.31=Superwoman
P.31 is the real Superwoman. She manages to do everything for her family as well as everything for her enterprises and everyone is happy! Now, if you’re anything like me you were a bit daunted when you first started reading about and comprehending P.31. I once heard Pastor John Hagee say that it was possible to be P.31 over the process of time. And for a while I agreed with that statement and to be fair, I still do. However, I also believe that with women who are entrepreneurs and or ministers have the ability to do this on a regular basis. I believe this works best (depending on the age and or existence of your children) if you have a home-based business or a remote/virtual business.
The man who pushed me to start my own business once told me, “Dez, you have the perfect career for a wife and mother”. And I do! I work from home, set my own schedule, and can work from wherever I like whether it’s my home office, Starbucks, the library, or vacation. I have a girlfriend who is a Social Media Manager and handles Marketing and PR for her clients and she’s a wife and new mother. You can view her blog Beauty Marked Mom here. I also know of other women who are married and or have children with ministries and businesses of their own.
It is absolutely 100% possible to be P.31 in today’s society and chances are if you’re married or plan on being married this concept will thrill your husband too! If you’re scared to step out and start your enterprise, pray and ask God for the courage, wisdom, resources, and connections to do so. The Holy Spirit will never steer you wrong and He makes a darn good business partner. And remember whatever you do, do it to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31).
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Desiree M. Mondesir is the CEO and Founder of Desired Assistance or “DA” virtual writing and editing company which also encompasses DA Inspires, DA Weddings, DA Luxury and her self-titled authoress blog. As a dedicated writer and entrepreneur, Desiree seeks to inspire the imagination, educate her readers, and challenge the toxic mindsets of individuals all over the world. Sign up for a FREE subscription at www.dainspires.wordpress.com!
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