It's... SUPER MOM!

That virtuous woman has long been a wonderful inspiration, a super motivation, and a great frustration for those of us who feel we can't measure up. While the Lord has used her to send me in the right direction more than once, I have to confess to never having actually arrived at the destination. The destination, as you might guess, has been to become Mrs. Proverbs Perfect -Martha Stewart, Mother Theresa, June Cleaver and Wonder Woman all rolled into one strong, industrious, benevolent lump of creativity. 

I should tell you right up front that I'm no super hero. It may take me a good half hour just to get my pantyhose untwisted. Some mornings I never do get it right. Those are the days I just take shorter steps. Try to imagine me leaping tall buildings in that kind of pickle. It's not happening in any number of bounds.

If you see an "S" on my shirt, it's most likely a stain and probably means I'm having another bad laundry day. But if I were labeled a heroine, the "S" would have to stand for something more like "Survival Woman!" The basic goal for Survival Woman is to keep my five children in relatively clean underwear (in case they're in an accident), make sure they don't run with any sharp objects and to raise those children without misplacing any of them.

In my own frustration with the Perfect Woman, I've entertained that rumor circulating that she was actually an early alien visitation. She's always sounded rather VULCAN to me.

The first words written about this Vulcan... I mean virtuous...woman in Proverbs 31:10 are: "Who can find a virtuous wife?" And it's hardly a wonder that no one can find her--she's out buying fields, making matching red outfits for her family and still squeezing in time to run her own home business. All that, of course, happens after she puts in her gardening and real estate hours. She keeps boldly going...and going... where no battery bunny has gone before.

I personally wanted to focus on the word "maidservants" in verse 15. When I realized I had biblical grounds for a housekeeper, I immediately called "Maidservants R Us" to place my order. Then I remembered my microwave, dishwasher, vacuum, and other handy-dandy luxuries, such as running water and pre-plucked chickens. I had to admit to having a few modern-day maidservants of my own. Painful admission.

Virtue Woman is strong and honorable, wise and kind, loved by husband, children and community. When we look at her in all her glory and feel we don't measure up, we can find ourselves resolving to muster up whatever strength we can to become more like her. Out of guilt we try to organize, sanitize, even computerize ourselves into becoming Virtue Woman. 

But verse 25 is one of my favorites. It tells us that she smiles--some versions even say "laughs"--at the future. Is she running around like a wild woman trying to be like someone else? I don't think so. I think she can laugh because she's resting in what the Lord can do through her. She must know that her future rests in His faithful hands. It's a rest that produces obedience, wisdom, kindness, fruitfulness and contentment to the point of laughter. Just think, if you've learned to rest and laugh, you've already made some progress toward virtue. 

What the Lord has for your ministry may not be exactly the same as the Proverbs 31 Woman (you can now breathe a great sigh of relief). You don't have to do everything she does to be successful (another sigh). True virtue is becoming a woman who loves, serves and honors the Lord. 

There is great freedom in understanding that the Lord doesn't wait to love you until you're Vulcan-like. He's not expecting Super Mom either. He loves and accepts you as you are. Striving for perfection in your own strength is what will lead to burnout and major frustration. Frustration--there's my field of expertise. But I can also testify from personal experience that resting in the Lord brings peace, joy, victory, and even laughter. 

So let's dedicate ourselves to the Savior. Then the really important works and character qualities will happen a lot more naturally than in our own futile squirming to attain them. Save the Super Hero syndrome for the comics. 

Honor your God, love your children and you are Super Mom. Super Mom still keeps her finger in Proverbs 31. That Vulcan Virtue Woman can inspire even a Kryptonian to Live Long and Prosper!  

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Contributed by Rhonda Rhearrhea@juno.comRhonda Rhea writes for dozens of great Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her new book, Amusing Grace, at your local Christian bookstore. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site atwww.rhondarhea.net