International Women’s Day – Tribute to the Providence Woman

She is far more precious than jewels.

She offers to all her life of passionate caring,

Seeking to do justice all the days of her life.

She seeks out the word, listening with eager care,

And the word is to her life the course for her ship.

She girds her loins with strength

and makes her arms strong.

Her lamp does not go out in the night.

She opens her hand to the poor

And reaches out with her life to the needy.

Strength and dignity are her clothing

And she laughs at the time to come

Knowing that God will care for her

As sure as the birds of the air

And the lilies of the field

She is gifted and given

and remembered as Providence

and her friends call her – Hope.

Many women have done excellently well

But the Providence woman surpasses them all.

(adaptation from the text of Myra Rodgers, CDP)