Missional Women

King Lemuel's Mom; Bragging on Others

8/22/2012

When you hear about the Proverbs 31 women, what do you think and feel?

We hear a lot about the intimidating women of virtue. But what I find impressive is the lady who is not intimidated by her or jealous of her, but rather describes and brags about her to her son. King Lemuel's mother is an example of someone who has a accurate perspective of herself enabling her to see others for what they are.

Since the fall, the tendency of our heart is to one up people. To have to be better in all ways and if we aren't, then we default to the poor me, I'm the worst mentality. Humility is seeing ourselves as we truly we are, no more no less. Humility also enables us to the see the gifts of others without comparing ourselves and being jealous. It enables us to appreciate the strengths of others without feeling bad about ourselves.

But as with all things good, humility is a gift from the Lord, not something we conjure up by trying hard. And the Lord, giver of good things wants to give us things that please Him, things like humility. So why not take a minute to ask Him to develop that more deeply in you today?

When was the last time you honored/bragged about someone behind their back about character qualities you don't possess? (In an excited for them and amazed at God way, not a wow, aren't they awesome and I'm just scum type of way.) Perhaps that would be a good step of faith to take today by the strength of the Holy Spirit.

So what qualities can you brag on about other people? (Which really is bragging about God, since everything good comes from God.) Below is something I wrote ten years ago, perhaps it will help get you thinking. As you read through, who comes to your mind that evidences that quality? Why not head on over to facebook and tell them how beautiful that quality is on their wall?

This post part of the Series

Check out other posts in this series:
Potiphar's Wife; Life Unrestrained
Woman at the Well; Experiencing God's Grace
Rahab; Ms. Courageous meet Prince Charming
Damaris; Counted Among Them
Eunice and her faithful reward
Midwives; What they have in common with Chick-fil-a and Cake
Miriam; What's the big deal with dishonor?
Dinah; When life is bigger than you imagined
Lot's wife; Dealing with a heart that longs
Mother of Thunder; When you want for your kids
Having a Martha Faith in a Mary World
The Phoenician Widow and the Blinding Effects of Shame

27 Comments

denise link

8/22/2012 08:23:46 am

Sweet blessings to you.

Lori link

8/22/2012 08:35:34 pm

"It enables us to appreciate the strengths of others without feeling bad about ourselves." Laura, that really is the key to being comfortable in our own skin and trusting that God made each one of us just the way he wanted to for his good purpose. Thanks for this encouragement today. And for the idea about posting on Facebook.. . off to brighten someone's day. . . ! Visiting from Be Not Weary and glad I did.

Laura

8/23/2012 12:55:08 pm

Thanks for your sweet comment, I'm glad you visited too. ;)

Susan Stilwell link

8/22/2012 09:06:19 pm

Great insight on P31, Laura. And thanks for the suggestion to speak a blessing into someone's life. We never know when that might be the life-giving breath that raises their gaze!

Linking up from Leaving a Legacy,
Susan

8/23/2012 12:56:37 pm

Thanks Susan.

Shari Miller link

8/22/2012 09:44:21 pm

I loved this! What a great reminder to look for the good in others and be a blessing to them, while honoring God. I have some work to do today! ;) Thanks for linking up at Leaving A Legacy.

Blessings~
Shari

8/23/2012 12:57:17 pm

Thankful for the opportunity.

Tyanne link

8/22/2012 10:21:24 pm

This has been heavy on my heart in recent days. I strive to be someone that brags on others, but find myself trapped in conversations sometimes that are leading to the opposite by other people. Comparing, self-defeating, judgemental at times. I have been praying lately that I would be bold to speak up and stop those conversations and turn them into opportunities to brag on God and the strengths in others. You have me thinking, though, that speaking up might end the conversations, but won't necessarily inspire others to be humble. They must seek it from God. Oh dear, my mind is running all over with this topic...thanks for sharing!

8/23/2012 01:01:15 pm

Lol! I totally understand... I've wondered about he same thing. For me, I don't want hem to think I'm trying make them feel guilty or be holier than thou, but on the other hand I don't have any control over what othersbthinknor feel. I just have to do what's right and leave the results up to God.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Tyanne.

Emily Cook link

8/23/2012 02:56:09 am

But as with all things good, humility is a gift from the Lord, not something we conjure up by trying hard.

YES.

This is a great post. I have been thinking on these things lately, especially after having received a great blessing from my mom-in-law. She has a talent for interior decorating, and she recently redid several rooms in my house. When we were first married I would have been a bit unsettled by this, or took it perhaps as a implication that I need to do better, to be more like her in this way. But she does not intend it that way at all- she's just using her gifts to bless the people she loves. I have different gifts and bless others in different ways. It's the same Lord who gives to all.

It's a relief to understand this, and to begin to learn to celebrate it!

I intend to do this in my friday blog series "Using Your Art to Bless Your Family" :) http://www.weakandloved.com/2012/08/using-art-to-bless-your-family.html

I am welcoming guest posts on this topic if you or your readers are interested! (Please email: emilymariecook@weakandloved.com)

8/23/2012 01:02:57 pm

Wow Emily! What a great example! So beautiful!

Dionne Adkison link

8/23/2012 04:39:55 am

Humility is hard to find in people. I don't know many that practice it or show it well. One person that comes to my is my Aunt Edith. She is someone who seems so comfortable in her skin.

I struggle at times with seeing myself as who I am. Nothing more and nothing less. I too need God to work more deeply in this area of my life! Thank you for this devotional and post. A great reminder for the day and in my walk with Christ.

8/23/2012 01:05:25 pm

It is so hard, dare I say impossible to see ourself accurately without Gods help. But good to know we all need Jesus just as much as the next. :)

Lorneth link

8/23/2012 05:01:15 am

Thanks for such a great post. It reminds us all that we should speak LIFE into the lives of other women!

8/23/2012 01:06:19 pm

Thanks Lorneth.

Kara @ The Chuppies link

8/23/2012 06:18:24 am

Perfect timing!
Love this post and mine last night was all about a person who has been Titus 2 to me.

8/23/2012 01:06:52 pm

How cool!!

Ugochi link

8/23/2012 07:16:58 am

This is so true. It takes humility to brag on someone behind their back.
This is really inspirational for me because someone I know did that about her mother-in-law and it was a blessing, I shared it here:
http://www.ugochi-jolomi.com/2012/08/my-mother-in-law.html
Thanks a lot for this, it is like a confirmation of what I was inspired about.
Love

8/23/2012 01:08:05 pm

Awesome!!

Carly link

8/23/2012 08:10:35 am

Amen Laura!!! Thank you for pointing out a woman who speaks well and highly of other women. That is such a huge temptation, to tear down and gossip about the women in our life when we should be bragging on them and secure about our identity in Christ.

You are SO wise. Love and appreciate you!

8/23/2012 01:10:02 pm

Your so great Carly and I love and appreciate you! Wrote about you tonight for faith filled Friday. I love how your glorifying God through your circumstances right now. :)

Esther Joy link

8/23/2012 09:00:28 am

What do I think and feel when I think about the Proverbs 31 woman? My husband always brags on me, telling me and others how much I am like the Prov 31 woman, ...and me.... I think I just see how much I lack...

8/23/2012 01:12:37 pm

Oh that is soooo sweet! You've got quite a catch!!

Joan link

8/23/2012 10:06:19 am

I don't understand why it's so hard for us to brag on others. Pride perhaps? Fear that someone with "get ahead" of us? I like what you said here, "So what qualities can you brag on about other people? (Which really is bragging about God, since everything good comes from God.)" Never thought of it this way before.

Blessings,
Joan

Laurie Collett link

8/24/2012 11:44:01 am

Hi Laura, I am blessed to teach a Bible study class filled with Prov. 31 women. Their love. mercy, and faithfulness never fail to amaze me -- I thank God for this family in Christ and pray that He will show me how to be more like them. Thanks for the great post & for hosting the linkup, & God bless,
Laurie

Diana Denis link

8/25/2012 03:32:42 pm

What a beautiful way to frame this idea, "bragging on someone" and I really love the fact that you're encouraging women to share some encouraging words. This was a great read. Thank you! And thank you for allowing me to link up:)

8/29/2012 11:24:05 am

Laura~You have a beautiful way with words. Thank you for helping us look at things from new perspectives.

Blessings~
Shari

King Lemuel's Mom; Bragging on Others

This post part of the Series

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