Proverbs 31ish
I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes, the Proverbs 31 woman can feel like a bit much. I mean, let’s be honest—who can wake up before the sun, run a business, keep the house in perfect shape, and still have enough energy to be a loving wife and mother, all while wearing strength and dignity like it’s their favorite dress? I’m exhausted just thinking about it!
For years, I’ve wrestled with this passage, trying to figure out if I’m supposed to achieve all of these things or if it’s simply meant to guide my life in a general direction. And you know what? Maybe it’s not about checking off every single box. Instead, the Proverbs 31 woman might just be an outline—a set of principles we can strive for, not a rigid set of rules we have to nail every day. We are all works in progress, after all.
Taking It One Day at a Time
If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s that trying to live up to this perfect standard is overwhelming. Life is busy, messy, and sometimes downright chaotic. But that’s where grace comes in—God’s grace and the grace we extend to ourselves.
I’ve found that the best way to approach life is to take one day at a time. Each morning, I remind myself that today is a fresh start. Whether I accomplished everything I wanted to yesterday or not, I get to try again. And more than anything, I’ve learned to lean on the Lord. I mean, let’s be real, we’re strong women—strong for our families, strong for our friends, and sometimes we forget that it’s okay not to be strong all the time.
God steps in where we can’t, and learning to trust Him in those moments is a game changer. When we rely on Him, we can be strong in our weakness. It’s hard to admit that sometimes, especially when we’re so used to carrying the load. But the Proverbs 31 woman isn’t strong because she does it all; she’s strong because she knows where her strength comes from.
The Perfectionism Trap
Now, let’s talk about perfectionism. If you’re anything like me, you might get stuck in the cycle of wanting everything to be just right before you even start. Here’s my problem: if I can’t make it perfect, I’ll procrastinate. I’ll think, “Oh, I’ve got time to get this done,” but before I know it, I’m running out of time, and nothing is moving forward. Sound familiar?
It’s something I’m working on, and it’s something we all need to remember—progress is progress, even if it’s not perfect. I’ve had to remind myself over and over again that doing *something* is better than doing *nothing* because it’s not perfect. The Proverbs 31 woman? She didn’t get everything done all at once. She built her life on daily diligence and faithfulness, not one-time perfection.
Book Review: Proverbs 32 Woman
If you haven’t already read *Proverbs 32 Woman* by Kerri Pomarolli, you need to! Get it here: https://amzn.to/3XtNonu. This book was a breath of fresh air for me because it brought humor and reality to the Proverbs 31 conversation. Pomarolli reminds us that being a godly woman is more about grace and less about checking off every item on the list.
Through witty stories and real-life moments, she talks about the struggle of trying to live up to this “perfect” standard, while reassuring us that God never asked us to be perfect—just faithful. She gives practical advice on how to live your life with purpose while accepting the messiness that comes with it. And let me tell you, the way she spins everyday situations into something we can all laugh about is a gift.
What I love most about *Proverbs 32 Woman* is the message that we don’t have to be everything, all the time, to everyone. It’s okay to laugh at ourselves, admit our mistakes, and keep moving forward. If you’re feeling the weight of trying to be the perfect Proverbs 31 woman, this book will make you exhale and remind you that grace is the real goal.
Progress Over Perfection
So, where does that leave us? As women who want to honor God, care for our families, work hard, and still have a little time left over for ourselves? It leaves us with the understanding that it’s about progress, not perfection. Some days we’re going to crush it—dinner will be on the table, the house will be clean, and the to-do list will be done. And other days? Well, maybe we’ll just get out of bed and that’ll be enough.
The Proverbs 31 woman gives us a framework to aspire to, but let’s give ourselves permission to take it one step at a time. Progress is still progress, and no step is too small when we’re walking in faith.
What about you? How do you navigate the balance of striving for these ideals without getting overwhelmed? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment below and let’s keep this conversation going.
And don’t forget—there’s more where this came from on the blog! Keep reading for more encouragement, practical tips, and, of course, a little humor to keep us all grounded in grace.
Until next time!
