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The Verse
Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
Proverbs 31:25 (NASB Version)
The Story
There was a young girl who lived in a village by the sea. One morning, from the upper window, she watched her mother hitch a team of horses to a cart, then fill it with garments and belts sewn from her spindle. The girl’s mother would barter them for bread with the tradesmen at the harbor.
The girl admired her mother's strength and dignity. She tiptoed down the stairs, cautious of her brothers’ voices echoing down the corridor from the breakfast table. As quiet as the morning breeze, she slipped out the door, saddled her horse, and with a heart full of dreams, she followed her mother.
She trotted at a slow pace, pondering the path in front of her. She’d never taken it alone before. To her right and her left, shadows grew long like talons reaching for their prey.
Suddenly, a band of thieves galloped their horses onto the path from the shadows. They cut in front of the young girl and spooked her horse, which reared onto its hind legs. Though the girl tried to control the reins, she tumbled to the ground. Frightened, she rolled off the path and narrowly escaped the stampede of horses coming toward her.
Now she realized she was on the edge of the shadows. She tried to pick herself up and run, but crooked fingers grabbed her.
But then a figure appeared clothed in a white garment with a golden band around his waist. He stood between her and the alleyway, his sword drawn. The young girl looked into his eyes. They lit up the darkness like fire. The creatures of the shadows scattered.
The stranger lifted her onto his horse, white as freshly fallen snow. Together, they traveled the path. Along the way, the girl saw a young man lying face down in the dirt, a dagger in his back.
“What happened to him?” she asked the stranger.
“They lured him off the path,” he replied.
“So they could take his money?”
“No, child, so they could take his heart.”
“Why his heart?” she questioned.
“They have no heart of their own,” the stranger answered. “Therefore, they steal the hearts of those they lure off the path, seeking to find sweet rest so they can dream once again."
“Then I shall guard my heart,” she said.
As they approached the harbor, the young girl saw her mother breaking bread among the poor. In her mother’s eyes, there was kindness, and on her lips, there was a smile.
The girl climbed out of the saddle and ran into her mother's arms. After a long embrace, her mother held her at arm’s length. “What’s happened to you, child?”
“There was a band of thieves. I fell...” the girl took a breath. “This stranger saved me.”
Her mother approached the stranger in the white garment with a golden band around his waist, sitting on his horse. She bowed, and said, “My Lord and my King!”
The young girl bowed beside her mother. When she looked up, the King wrapped her in a robe like the one her mother wore. He remounted his white horse and departed into the clouds.
*inspired by Proverbs 31
The Proverbs 31 girl has reverence for God. In her heart, she has deep respect, love, and awe for Him. Her actions show it, and God is at the center of all she does. For courage, strength, and dignity pour out of her heart. The Proverb 31 girl is wise and uses her talents and treasures to further God's kingdom.
Do you want to be a Proverbs 31 girl? Then give your whole heart to God and your life to Jesus. And from there He will give you the desires of your heart.
Memory verse: Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NASB)
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