Eshet Chayil

Eshet Chayil is Hebrew for a woman of valor.  You might know her at the Proverbs 31 Woman.  Thanks to Rachel Held Evans I’m starting to understand the woman of valor as so much more than what we modern day Christian women have come to define as the Proverbs 31 Woman.

Women of Valor of are changing the world with the big things and the little.

Women who stand up for what they know is right even though it may be really hard, even if culture rages against them.  

Women who are raising their babies  with a fieriness for love and compassion…even when they would rather just hide under the covers.

Women who fight for justice.  

Women who fight to keep their marriage together.  

Women who look outward toward a world full of pain and know that the status quo isn’t good enough any more…even when they want to focus inward toward their own heart full of pain.  

Women who do the right thing; not for glory or recognition but because they know it’s the right thing to do.  

Women who show up in the classroom everyday and teach our little hellions with grace and patience.

Women who tell their story with their whole heart.  

For valor is the color of the song of her soul

I stumbled across this poem by Eric S. Kingston today while looking up how to spell Eshet Chayil.  A friend posted her triumphs from her productive day and she needed an Eshet Chayil shout out.  I’m so glad that she felt the need to toot her horn because there are so many days when we feel like our little accompaniments are just that…little.  Not so.  Diffusing a tantrum without loosing your head is a huge accomplishment.  Working your way through a long to-do list when it would have been easier to throw in the towel is a feat worth celebrating.  Thanks friend.

Today I dedicate this poem to the women who will be telling their story with their whole heart this May in a Listen To Your Mother show.  

A woman of valor makes the world change 
Her strength is the content that guides through the days 
Defined by her actions that bring light to all dreams 
Valor is something that’s defined by her deeds.

Her valor is golden, sparkled and gray 
She stands up to the challenge no matter the way
It can’t be held back or defined by her age 
Yes, a woman of valor makes the world change.

For valor’s not held by the young or the old 
But by the deeds of the heart that give and unfold 
It’s merit and honor that hold no disguise 
Like the creation of being in the blessed Holy One’s eyes.

For valor is the color of the song of her soul 
As she changes, creates and turns light into gold 
Divine is Her Presence, be it joyous or sad 
— A Woman of Valor — 
May offer little, but it will be all that she has.

For only her heart will know the depths of her soul 
That nurtures and blossom and forever unfolds 
And holds in its essence new life and new gain 
Yes, 
A woman of valor makes the world change 
A woman of valor makes the world change 
A woman of valor makes the world change.