My grandma had five children, eighteen grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren. When she passed away two years ago, we traveled to our hometown to celebrate her life. We sat in the living room telling stories that brought both laughter and tears. We gathered in the kitchen where she so often stood, stirring gravy for chicken fried steak or whipping cream for chocolate pie. We walked around her yard where she had spent hours picking pears, growing roses, and watching birds.
Her marriage of over sixty years, her still growing family, her beautiful home, her ministry at the church, her volunteer hours as the hospital… they were all evidence of a life well lived. In my mind, there is no closer likeness to the Proverbs 31 woman than my own grandmother.
Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:31
Like Mrs. P31, my grandma was rewarded for her years of faithful service to God and the responsibilities He gave her. Her life was neither easy nor perfect, but she had set her mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2), and was therefore able to find joy even in all circumstances.
How can we, like Mrs. P31 and my grandmother, enjoy the fruit of our hands and be praised in the gates? I think it comes down to one simple principle–be faithful. Be faithful to God, faithful to your husband, faithful to your children and their children. Be faithful to your church family, to the job where God has placed you, and to your community. Whatever God has called you to do, be faithful in that.
It’s not as easy as it sounds! In fact, it’s impossible. Jesus says in John 15:5, “…apart from me you can do nothing.” Without His help we won’t be able to do all that we have learned in the last weeks that Mrs. P31 did. But God is faithful. When we cry out to Him for help, support, grace, forgiveness, and wisdom He gives generously!
I want to be rewarded with the fruit of my hands, I want my works praised in the gates, but above all I want to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
Ask God today to help you live a faithful life. Praise Him for giving you good gifts so generously, to help you live the life He has called you to live!
I love this: Her life was neither easy nor perfect, but she had set her mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2), and was therefore able to find joy even in all circumstances.
What a beautiful heritage God has given you, Sandra. She leaves us a well traced path to follow.
Sandra, thank you. This is such an encouraging post … and a reminder that we are simply called to be faithful to the tasks at hand. Sometimes I think we make it all much harder than it is.