What Everyday Heroines are Made Of

By Hazel A.B. Javier Every woman wants to be a heroine in a grand story, like in the novels we read or the teleseryes we watch.  Our story doesn’t have to be a great adventure; it just needs to be something that makes us feel worthy. The Bible summarizes the everyday heroine in Proverbs 31:30, “Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value, but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.”  What qualities truly make a woman deserve acclaim?

• Hardworking and Strong (vv. 13-14, 16-17, 19, 22, 27). The everyday challenge for working moms, stay-at-home moms, and single moms alike is multi-tasking; preparing meals for your children, commuting to the office, doing the laundry, etc.  It’s not by luck or chance that goals are met; it is as a famous idiom says, with sweat and blood, and if I may add – with a lot of hard work!

• Giving and Never Lacking (vv. 11, 15, 20). Heroines are generous with their talents, resources, time, and effort.  Decide to look beyond your own needs and understand that your neighbors and workmates are also in need.  Maybe if you have prepared a pot-full of adobo, you can drop by a neighbor who has just moved into the next door apartment and offer that extra bowl of adobo.  Remember, God is (and will be) firstly the Giver of all and Great Provider.

• Confident and Positive (vv. 18, 21, 25). Heroines have an “overcomer” outlook in life.  When we have problems, we have to choose not to be depressed.  In sickness, we need to believe in healing.  Face each morning with thoughts like “the best is yet to come!”

• Wise and God-fearing (vv. 24, 26, 30). It also says in Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  As mothers, we need to be able to guide our children daily using the Word of God as our basis of truth.  With God’s wisdom, we can help our husbands make tough decisions by praying.

One may ask if this is humanly possible.  The answer is yes, with God’s help, of course.