Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day!

This is always such a bittersweet day for me, as I know it is for many. While my mom is rejoicing in heaven, I don’t take for granted that I enjoyed a wonderful relationship with her while she was on earth. She was my dearest friend and I know my sister would say the same of her. We could talk to her about anything without fearing anger or judgment. She had a great sense of humor, an awesome accent, loved coffee and a good chat!

The list could go on and on. She was truly an amazing woman.

I count it as no coincidence that as Mother’s Day approached I was required to read Proverbs 31:10-31 for a study I’m doing with the young people I mentor and tutor. God works like that, you know.

As I read and studied this passage I remember a sermon I heard preached on it. The pastor taught that the Proverbs 31 woman was a myth and unattainable. He said that it was likely a parent telling their son, “An excellent wife who can find?” with dripping sarcasm. He shared how the rest of the passage went on to detail all the things the parent was saying he could hope and wish for but never actually find.

You know what? I think he was completely wrong.

I’ve seen this woman. I watched her as I grew up. She rose early and provided for her household with wisdom. She dressed herself in strength and confidence everyday, even as she faced deep hardships. She dealt with living thousands of miles across an ocean from all her family, she persevered as a young adult through learning a new language, how to drive in a new country, and school with toddlers so she could provide a better life for her family. Even after she got us through toddlerhood and started working, it wasn’t all peaches and roses. She was married to an alcoholic and that reared its ugly head time and again. And long before her time, she faced cancer with grace, dignity, and a strength that was superhuman.

The Proverbs 31 woman exists. I’ve witnessed it.

Was she perfect? Of course not. As surely as my mom was imperfect, the Proverbs 31 woman was imperfect too. But she persevered and endured. Her strength was not temporary or fleeting. She remained steadfast in the Lord’s love, faithfulness, and strength.

Recently it was said of us, “I guess I can see what the Schwabs are trying to do.” I’m not totally sure what was meant by this and could take it two ways. One, they perceive us as working to engrave our names in lights, make a name for ourselves, and have others look up to us. The other, that they know the words of Proverbs and see we’re trying to live by them.

Certainly, I don’t need my name in lights. In fact, when people point me out in a crowd and make a big deal of the fact that we have 12 children, I am just embarrassed. I’d rather be in the back, quietly working on what God has called me to. I don’t care what others think; I do care what He thinks.

I want to be that Proverbs 31 woman. I want to be that woman my husband can wholly and fully trust with our home. I desire to take care of my family and make profits for their wellbeing and care, not my own. Hopefully wisdom and kindness come from my mouth when I speak because I’ve spent time with the Lord.

My goal is for my husband and children to rise up and call me blessed and to hear from the Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant” as I know my mom heard when her fight here on earth was over and she stood before her Savior. My sister and I, 22 years after her death, still rise up and call our mom blessed.

She was the Proverbs 31 woman I still try to model after.