Polishing Glass Hearts

Cinderella lost her glass slipper, her handsome prince desperately sought her out and found that the shoe fit. Not only did her foot fit firmly in the shoe, but her character also made her fit for her position. We know a lot about Cindy‘s character from this age old story. It has been retold over and over, because everyone loves a rags to riches story, we love to support the underdog. What I like best about Cinderella is her virtuous character and her work ethic. She was a hard worker, she was treated badly and was literally made a slave in her own home, and yet she never complained. Her virtue and character was golden before her royal position was given. Her royalty came not from her position as princess, but rather from her virtue. She wore her crown in her heart and and the glass on her feet way before her inaugural institution was given. Her nobility was not based on her royal position but rather her lowly, humble position.

We read of a noble/vitreous woman in Proverbs 31. The title heading for this section of the Bible uses many adjectives to describe this woman's character. A 'Wife of Noble Character,' the 'Virtuous Woman', the NASB calls it the 'Description of a Worthy Woman.' All these names given were based on the character of her heart, on her ability to accomplish multiple tasks inside and out of the home.

The first compliment given her reflects on her ability to be a vitreous and capable wife. The first three verses describes how she takes care of her husband. This is tabu and deemed an insult today. To be able to take care of your husband, family and home is considered less than noble, a detriment to womanhood. This is shameful that a woman should have to apologize for wanting to be a homemaker and provide a good loving home for her family.

Don't get me wrong, I think careers for women are good and this may be the only and best avenue for some and may be what God's will is for their life. If a woman climbs the corporate ladder by moral and virtuous means and does so for Gods glory and not her own, then more power to her. I would gladly shout, "you go girl," but I’m afraid the issue we face today is the mantra stating women can't be both a career and family woman or a homemaker only, if she so chooses.

The noble woman mentioned in Proverbs 31 knew how to do both. She worked hard in and outside the home. She spun her wool and flax, she got up early to feed her family and then went out to inspect the fields, plant a vineyard, and deal in profitable means. She worked hard way into the night, burning the midnight oil. Her hands were always busy. She was family oriented and business minded. She was not afraid of the future. She was wise, kind, carefully watched over her household, and was not idle.

She dresses in fine clothing, she is dressed for success, but more importantly than her outer clothing and beauty, she is clothed with strength and dignity. You see, her inner strength, dignity and over all character had her shattering glass way before it was the thing for a successful woman to do. She was giving women a good name, based not only on her accomplishments, but her character, as well, before any movement deemed it appropriate.

The problem I see today is we idolize women solely based on the high position they have achieved, but have not a virtuous character. These are not the kind of examples that I want for my daughters. I don't have an issue with their success and position given, but rather on the means they take to accomplish that goal if it was not based on moral grounds and Christian values.

In this case the glass slipper and ceiling can represent virtues, values, morality of character, hard work, humility and our worthiness before God and others. If we want to focus on breaking the glass or wearing it, we need to start in our own hearts.

Maybe our focus should be more on letting the prince of peace examine our hearts. The shoe will always fit if we are clothed in Christ. That’s the only way to dress for success not only in this life but for the life to come.

This noble woman in Proverbs that I spoke of earlier had a reputation that proceeded her based on her moral character. The end of the Proverb sums up the result of her good attributes.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”

She doesn’t need to climb a ladder and shatter a ceiling to receive praise and her reward. She just needs to fear the Lord and practice good deeds.

This glass ceiling idiom represents an invisible barrier that seems like it must be shattered to award an accomplishment. Instead of focusing on shattering glass why don't we focus on polishing the virtue in our hearts. We have some pretty good examples of women given in scripture who humbly took positions and walked on a lot of broken glass to receive their status. Let’s try to follow their lead and continue to make the glass shine in our hearts and reflect God’s glory.