A woman of noble character

Margaret Campbell Norris

  Proverbs 31 talks about a woman of noble character.  I could not think of better words to describe this woman:

10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?


She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.


    Two weeks ago today, this precious woman went to meet her Heavenly Father.  She was a very special lady to many people.  Her bright spirit and perseverance to serve the Lord not only touched the lives of her family but to all those who met her.  She had a zeal for life and had a way of making anyone around her feel welcome and comfortable.

    Although I have only known Mam-maw for about 5 years, her spark for life had an impact on mine from the day I met her.  The first time I met Mammaw, Brian and I were dating.  We went to church that Sunday, and she told everyone that I was going to be her granddaugher.  My face turned beet red, but she was as excited as could be.  And I could not help but hope that it would one day be true. 
    It was immediately obvoius to me that this was a woman who served the Lord.  You could honestly feel the presence of the Lord everytime you stepped into that house.  She always let you know that she cared about you and was praying for you.  Although she did not have to tell you this because it was obvious by the way she treated you. 
   I am thankful for the life she lived to honor the Lord because I am able to see the influence that she and Pappaw have had on their family, especially in the life of my husband.  They have been such an example of a couple who loves the Lord and lives their life to serve the Lord. 
  Mammaw loved the Lord and she truly lived the verse Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if for the Lord and not for men." She was funny, a great cook, friendly, outgoing, beautiful and talented in so many ways, and she always found a way to use her abilities to glorify the Lord.
   She had many people that were near and dear to her heart, and I know these hearts are still aching for her loss.  So we will continue to pray for her family and friends that are dealing with this loss. But we are so proud and glad to know that she is finally "home" singing praises for the Lord. 

Mammaw with Campbell on the piano.