A Letter To My Mom

This letter is long overdue, probably because I didn't want to miss anything to share. Then, I started a study on the Proverbs 31 Woman with Heather…. And it came to me.

I love you mom, and thank you for all you have done and continue to do. I hope you enjoy this.

-Genessa

Dear Mom,

They say that the Proverbs 31 Woman was not a real woman… but I believe you are as close as it gets Mom.

10-12: Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?               

She is more precious than rubies.         

Her husband can trust her,               

and she will greatly enrich his life.         

She brings him good, not harm,                  

all the days of her life.

Mom, you are this wife. I know dad would agree 100%, and I work so hard to be the wife to JB that you are to dad. I watched you stand by him in sickness and in health-lots of health. From his car accident in 1998 to his hospitalization in 2023, I watched you bring goodness over and over.

13-15:  She finds wool and flax                           

and busily spins it.                             

She is like a merchant’s ship,                            

bringing her food from afar.                           

She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household                           

and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

Mom, as a hairdresser, you didn’t need to find wool and flax, but you always worked with your hands til they hurt. As a mom and wife, you prepared many meals from scratch, saying it was just as easy. While they weren’t prepared before dawn, these meals were usually prepared after a 10-12 hour day at work. Then, staying up well past midnight to make sure we all had the homemade cookies or cupcakes for school the next day. And this was all you-no servant girls in our house. Thank you for showing me work ethic and always ensuring we were fed and cared for.

16-18: She goes to inspect a field and buys it;                           

with her earnings she plants a vineyard.                           

She is energetic and strong,                           

a hard worker.                           

She makes sure her dealings are profitable;                           

her lamp burns late into the night.

Mom, in case you didn’t know, you taught me about planning and budgeting and money. I remember when you opened Heavenly Hair. I watched you manage the business and it grew. It grew so much that those 10-12 hours days became 12 or more hour days. You are the hardest working woman I know, and I thank you for modeling that for me.

19-21: Her hands are busy spinning thread,               

her fingers twisting fiber.         

She extends a helping hand to the poor               

and opens her arms to the needy.         

She has no fear of winter for her household,               

for everyone has warm clothes.

When I got to this part of the description of the Proverbs 31 Woman, I thought of all the times you helped others; you always seemed to be able to put everything before you. I thought of how seemingly fearless you were in all you did. As a mom now, I realize you probably weren’t actually fearless; you just knew your God was stronger than anything fear could bring. Thank you for showing me that I don’t need to be fearless, because that is what God is for.

22-24: She makes her own bedspreads.                           

She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.                           

Her husband is well known at the city gates,                           

where he sits with the other civic leaders.                           

She makes belted linen garments                           

and sashes to sell to the merchants.

Now Mom, this section could be intimidating because making bedspreads was not something you did, but who does?  I did watch your creativity in other ways-cross-stitching, blankets, etc.  And as this section continues, I saw you dress well every day (your hair and makeup were always done); everyone knew dad (and you); and you were the hairdresser (better than selling garments and sashes).  I pray that my son is able to see these things in me.

25-27: She is clothed with strength and dignity,                           

and she laughs without fear of the future.                           

When she speaks, her words are wise,                           

and she gives instructions with kindness.                           

She carefully watches everything in her household                           

and suffers nothing from laziness.

Strength and dignity are 2 words that will always define you, Mom. And there is that fear word again. You are fearless because you trust God. Your words are wise because you trust God. Now, were your instructions always kind as I was growing up? Probably not…. But as a mom now, I am quite positive the first time you told us kids to do something, it was probably kind. By the 3rd time of saying the same thing-well, I get it. Thank you, Mom. Thank you for watching us, and thank you for not allowing us to be lazy. Work ethic, strength, dignity and wisdom were demonstrated by you so often.

28-29: Her children stand and bless her.               

Her husband praises her:         

“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,               

but you surpass them all!”

As I got to these verses, I realize that an apology is owed to you. (I can’t speak for dad, but I do hear him praise you.) We-your children-did not stand and bless you until we were well into adulthood. For this, I apologize from the bottom of my heart. And I thank you for maintaining your patience with us while you awaited the long overdue blessing. Mom, you showed me how to be virtuous, you helped me become capable. I can’t even imagine where I would be without your example.

30-31: Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;                           

but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.                           

Reward her for all she has done.                           

Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Mom, you are beautiful inside and out; your beauty lasts because you fear God. I wish I could reward you for all you have done. I have seen you cry tears of joy and sorrow. I have seen you stand strong in all of those moments where the world (including me) has done nothing but disappoint you. Being a mom is not for the weak, which is why I consider you one of the strongest people I know.

They say the Proverbs 31 Woman is not a real person, but I believe she is. I believe she is you, Mom.

I love you!

Rae of Faith

PS: Sorry this took so long Mom.