Devotional
Noble Women
by Christine Leonard-Osterwalder
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is the description
of the wife of noble character in Proverbs 31:10--31. Not only
does she have wisdom, but she is savvy enough to make good business
decisions. Weaving her godly understanding, her practical skills
and her worldly resources together, she generously practices
the art of compassion. She also wears "fine linen and purple,"
one of my favorite colors. Whenever I wear purple, I think of
the wife of noble character and of the many women in my life
who model nobility every day.
Consider Robin Bess, 51, who laughs and loves as hard as she
works. In many ways, Robin represents the heart and soul of our
church. She uses her quick wit, sharp mind, tireless energy,
material goods and overwhelming passion for the Lord to promote
spiritual growth in children and adults, work in local mission
projects and manage our church.
Roberta Sheets is in her 70s and is a preacher's daughter.
Her refreshing spirit and sparkling eyes see God in everyone
around her. Well-educated, she and her husband of 58 years successfully
raised four children of their own. As youth leaders they also
raised hundreds of children of faith.
Jacquie Lyman, at the age of 63, demonstrates passion, innovation,
energy and persistence as she motivates others to pull together
and find common ground where none previously existed.
My own mom, Anne-Marie Osterwalder, at 59, is caring and compassionate,
inspiring others to join in problem solving and resource management.
My five-year-old daughter, Cara Leonard, constantly amazes me,
too, giving friends smooth stones and calling them Olympic gold
medals, asking for an extra chocolate for her brother whenever
she gets one and praying at meals whether someone else does or
not.
At the age of 15, Carlynn Field is two years into her battle
with bone cancer and has already had to consider having her leg
amputated. Instead of focusing on her illness, she and her creative
mom, Sherri, spent many hours at the hospital telling jokes,
making crafts and entertaining other patients. Today, Carlynn
is cancer-free, still has both of her legs and just came back
from a weekend of rock climbing. She serves as a campus missionary
at her high school, debates her parents about wearing spaghetti-strap
tops, keeps her pretty blonde ringlets in the latest styles and
seeks to carve her own path as a woman of faith.
O God of Eternity, thank you for the colorful women who
fill my life and for the many examples of noble character I witness
each day. Fill me with your wisdom, industriousness, strength
and compassion so that I might be a more faithful servant and,
in my own way, serve as an example to others. Amen.
Christine Leonard Osterwalder is a graduate student at both
San Francisco Theological Seminary and Claremont Graduate University
in California.
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