By Sarah Sanchez

The Bible describes a perfect woman in Proverbs 31. It describes a beautiful woman who cares for her family and teaches them about God. It describes a woman that is faithful and serves God with all of her heart, mind and soul, in addition to serving His people. A Proverbs 31 woman is described as someone who works hard and is smart with her money. In addition, the passage describes a woman who is “clothed with strength and dignity” (Proverbs 31:25). These are just a few of the many traits described in this passage.

When reading Proverbs 31, many women will strive to be this “perfect” woman and many men will strive to marry someone with these qualities. But when I read this passage, I instantly think of my mom. Of course, my mom isn’t perfect, but she is pretty close and she is truly a great role model. I believe she is a Proverbs 31 woman.

My mom cares and loves others, and she has taught me to do the same. Growing up, we would drive by a person living on the street and she would go out of her way to find the nearest drive-through, purchase food, and go back to give it to that person.

My mom is also a loving mother that has always cared for our family. Growing up, she would make our lunches everyday and put a heart shaped note inside that would tell us how much she loved us. She would pack us healthy snacks to take to school too. She still brings me snacks and lunch at work and I’m already a married adult! But she just has the gift of nurturing and loving others.

Proverbs 31 talks about this perfect woman being a woman of God; and man do I owe my faith to my mom. She would be the one to drag us out of bed for church every Sunday. Even when my brother and I went through a rebellious stage, she still prayed for us and sent us scripture (whether our punky teenager-selves wanted to hear it or not). She never gave up on us. I think it paid off because we were all baptized and are currently striving to live Godly lives. If it wasn’t for my mother constantly sharing her faith with us and believing in us, I’m not sure where we would all be.

My mom is a woman I admire and hope to be one day: both as a wife and mother. She is a strong woman who never loses faith in our God, no matter what circumstance we are going through. Growing up, I always believed she had a special direct line to God because her prayers were always answered. But really, it was because she had an enormous amount of faith and she truly believed that God would answer her prayers.

My mom is amazing and I’m sure yours is too; or maybe you know someone who has been like a mother to you. Whoever it may be, as we celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend I ask that you honor your mothers. Whether she is with you today or not, take a moment to remember all the good things that she has done for you…even if the only good thing is that she gave birth to you. Whatever it is, tell her, show her, write to her, and honor her. Because Proverbs 31:31 says, “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”