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She Laughs

This weekend is Mother's Day and you have probably noticed an abundance of beautiful items that grace the entrance to the stores we visit. Cards, mugs, flowers, beautiful signs, all gifts that express to moms the special role they play in our lives. 

Today's Five Minute Friday writing prompt is "She".  A very simple, yet appropriate topic for this Friday!


Christians moms during this time of the year often reflect on the biblical passage of Proverbs 31. In its context, it is a mother writing to her son - a king - about the virtues of a wife that he should be seeking for. Every mother with sons has that same desire, for him to find a wife filled with virtue and honor. 

As the Bible often does, it reflects a question or pondering that reflects back to ourselves. In the Proverbs 31 passage, we tend to examine our life based on these qualities and may find we come up lacking! This is not the description of an unattainable, perfect woman, but qualities that all women should strive for in their lives. There can always be a standard to strive for and when we trust God to fill our hearts with His grace and power, godly characteristics are formed and fill our lives. The secret is keeping our eyes on Jesus, who can help us and keeping our ears shut to the inner voices of comparisons, jealousy and the lies that tell us we aren't worthy. 

One part of the Proverbs 31 passage I love, but often take a big gulp at is this verse...


Proverbs 31:25 in many translations talks about being clothed - covered, protected, decorated with strength and dignity. "And she laughs at the future"...that's the part where I get a bit anxious! There is enough life that has been lived for me to know that the future will hold both joys and sorrows. The future is uncertain and unknown. To look in the face of the future and laugh drives me back into a shell of anxiety and fear. 

But when we are clothed - allowing God to cover us, fill us and surround us, there is a confidence that comes from Him. He knows and sees our future and as we trust Him, He can bring good in and through it.  

My Sunday School lesson this week is on the topic of "meekness". Here is a quick quote:
"Submission to God's providence - (His sovereign rule over His entire creation) - means we recognize there is yet much work to be done in our character.
It means we believe all events in our lives, God works together to conform us more and more into the likeness of Christ.
It means we give thanks in all circumstances - not for the circumstance itself, but for God's promise to use these circumstances to conform us more to Christ."

Digging a bit into this passage, I found a few different translations that help it become clearer.
"Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come."
"Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future."
"She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days."
"She is strong and graceful, as well as cheerful about the future."

"Laughing at the future" is not a haughty or self-sufficient response. It is a confidence, knowing when God clothes us with strength and honor, He will give us the power to face the future. We can smile from the peace and joy He gives to us. You can laugh without fear of the future because you hold the firm truth that God will take care of you. Nothing in this world can give you assurance that you will be ok, but God can if you put your trust in him and obey him. God loves you, and that is all you need to know to make it through.

Happy Mother's Day to you as mothers. May this day be filled with expressions of appreciation, but also an acknowledgement of the power and influence a mother holds. May you continue to grow in grace in every season of motherhood. May God's love fill your heart and overflow in the lives of your family. May you be clothed with strength and honor and walk confidently and joyfully into each new season of life. 




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  1. TishMay 7, 2021 at 11:38 AM

    I love the passage from Proverbs 31, to me it is is an encouragement to to trust God for the future, and live as fully as she does. Thank you, your neighbour on FMF.

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