"... She shall be praised..." (Provers 31:30)

The writer of Proverbs describes a "virtuous woman" in the thirty first
chapter of his book. He begins in verse ten by asking the question, "Who can
find a virtuous woman?..." He is not asking because he wants to know where
such a one can be found, but his question is rhetorical: for he is exclaiming
her greatness! One one who finds such a woman, is truly blessed. He goes on
to say, "... for her price is far above rubies."

It is not often that we say enough about great women. Women who are Godly.
Women who are content. Women who lead by example, without the modern day need
to at the front or taking over. Such examples of women? How about Sarah?
Peter says, "For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who
trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own
husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye
are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with amazement." (1 Peter
3:5,6) How about Dorcas? In Acts 9:36 we read, "Now there was at Joppa a
certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas:
this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did." A disciple. A
woman full of good works. A woman whose death caused much weeping among the
disciples. (Acts 9:39) How about Eunice? The mother of Timothy (2 Timothy
1:5). A Jewish woman whose husband was Greek (Acts 16:1) Yet, she loved her
son enough to teach him God's word, such that later in life he was a helper,
companion and son in the faith (2 Timothy
1:2) to Paul the Apostle.

All of the above named virtuous women have their names recorded for all
eternity in God's word. Women who were obedient to God and by such lives,
were able to influence the lives of others for good. By living such lives,
they were also great women, women to "... be praised." (Proverbs 31:30) Such
also was the life of Elizabeth Nosker. We have just returned from attending
her funeral in Richmond, Virginia. We have known the Noskers ever since we
started dating in 1978. John and Elizabeth have always been not just the
kindest of friends, but the best examples of faithful children of God.
Elizabeth embodied the role of the virtuous woman. Faithful to her husband,
providing for her family, kind to strangers, encouraging to her brethren,
upholding the hands of any Gospel preacher she met. She was a mother, wife,
preacher's wife and elder's wife. But most of all, she was a child of God.
She lived a life that echos the words of Solomon, "... but a woman that
feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." (Provers 31:30) She lead by example.
She spent her life in service to her Lord. You may have not known her, but
hopefully you have known many women in your life that were just like her. I
hope so. I hope that you have known a Sarah, or Dorcas or Eunice or
Elizabeth. Our time here on earth would be so lonely without them. When the
world cries for "my rights" and exalts those who wallow in selfishness, these
women provide the bright contrast of faithfulness that draws us to them.

Elizabeth has now gone on to her reward, a reward which has been faithfully
earned and greatly deserved. May we too follow our Lord and Saviour until the
last day and look forward with great anticipation to our eternal rest. [JW]

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in
Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ." 
[Galatians 3:26,27]