by Andrew Mitchell
Go back to Christian Character
Her value to the world: As the saying goes “A woman’s work is never done.” Have you ever considered what it would cost you if you had to hire someone to do all the work that she does for you and your children? Here are the mean hourly wages (U.S., 2000) for some of the jobs she does without pay:
General Managers ($33.76/hour)
Public Relations Managers ($29.54/hour)
Purchasing Managers ($27.64/hour)
Lodging Managers ($16.73/hour)
Financial Managers ($33.89/hour)
Dieticians and Nutritionists ($18.76/hour)
Chefs and head cooks ($13.73/hour)
Interior Designers ($19.55/hour)
Housekeeping ($9.17/hour)
Laundry and Dry-Cleaners ($7.99/hour)
Garment Pressers ($8.14/hour)
Sewing Machine Operators ($8.39/hour)
Tailors and Dressmakers ($11.20/hour)
Nurses ($22.31/hour)
Recreation Workers ($9.32/hour)
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs ($9.10/hour)
School Counselors ($21.08/hour)
Health Educators ($17.61/hour)
Education Directors ($14.38/hour)
Librarian ($20.54/hour)
School Teachers ($41,980/year)
Her Value to God: Let the whole world know how much value God places upon a good woman. A virtuous woman’s worth is “far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). Her meek and quiet spirit is of “great price” in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:4). People can give houses and wealth, but a prudent wife can only come “from the Lord” (Proverbs 19:14).
Her Value to Her Husband: Proverbs 12:4 says, “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband”. His heart “safely trusts in her” (Proverbs 31:11). He is to place her worth above his own life (Ephesians 5:25), and “show her honor” (1 Peter 3:7). If he truly values her, he will love her, and protect her from more undo pressure. She has enough chores at home without him shoving more on her by forcing her to do his job of providing for the family (1 Timothy 5:8).
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And Don’t Forget Her Value to Her Children…
“Her children rise up and bless her…” (Proverbs 31:28)
Consider this article, entitled “Mean Moms”, author unknown —
We had the meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was different from what other kids had, too.
Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You’d think we were convicts in a prison. She had to know who our friends were, and what we were doing with them. She insisted that if we said we would be gone for an hour, we would be gone for an hour or less.
We were ashamed to admit it, but she had the nerve to break the Child Labor Laws by making us work. We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, and all sorts of cruel jobs. I think she would lie awake at night thinking of more things for us to do.
She always insisted on us telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. By the time we were teenagers, she could read our minds. Then, life was really tough! Mother wouldn’t let our friends just honk the horn when they drove up. They had to come up to the door so she could meet them.
While everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were 16. Because of our mother, we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced. None of us have ever been caught shoplifting, vandalizing others’ property, or ever arrested for any crime. It was all her fault.
Now that we have left home, we are all God-fearing, educated, honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean parents just like Mom was. I think that’s what’s wrong with the world today. It just doesn’t have enough mean moms any more.
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)