| 31 Days | A Woman Who Does Good
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. - Proverbs 31: 11
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Just what exactly does it mean to be good? It is a word we throw around frequently, as we use it to describe food, music, television, and behavior. However, the actual definition may surprise you, as it did me. The noun form of good is defined as 1) that which is morally right; righteousness, and 2) benefit or advantage to someone or something.
When I read this verse in the light of the definition of what is good, my understanding deepens, and the word takes on a new meaning. To do good for someone means that you act on their behalf. As a teacher, I see my kids in various lights as they interact with one another through each day. I sometimes am so frustrated when they do not get along with one another and treat each other with kindness. Other times I am so encouraged as I watch them get out of each other's way and consider one another. To do good to another means that we take the time to forget about our own needs and recognize theirs. It means that we allow their needs to supersede ours.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
This consideration of others' needs is not natural for us. We want to please ourselves. We want to look out for our own interests. But a woman who does good does not only take care of herself, but of others. A woman who takes care of others is valuable because she takes the time to get out of her own world in order to step into another's world. Isn't that someone you'd like to be? In order to be that woman, we've got to trust God to be in us what we cannot be. Only He can open our eyes to the needs of others around us. Let's trust Him to do so.