Even now as I think back to my childhood, I can remember the wonder of decorating my room in a special and beautiful way. When I was in elementary school, I had a pretty canopy bed with a pink and white checkered bedspread and matching canopy top. It was dainty and wondrous, and I enjoyed it. When I was a little older, my mom bought me a comforter that was bright white with a rainbow that started on the foot of the bed and made an arch across the two pillow cases. My mom even painted an old dresser bright white and painted each drawer face a matching color of the rainbow. What a joy the rainbow of colors was. It always amazes me how a bed covering can change a room. The Virtuous Woman knew this and made herself delightful coverings of tapestry. What beauty to behold these hand-woven masterpieces, bringing cheer and delight to all. Even amidst all her practical skills, the Virtuous Woman found time to produce and enjoy purposeful art.
 
In Proverbs 31:22, the Virtuous Woman is seen making herself coverings of tapestry, and her clothing is silk and purple. We find in this woman a rare blend of characteristics. While she takes care of the poor, her own household’s clothing and food, a textile business, a vineyard, her husband, and many other endeavors, she also makes time to take care of herself and her home, creating original masterpieces and appearing to value artistic beauty. What wonders her silk and purple clothing must hold! We will discover many beauty secrets on this journey into the outward apparel and core beauty of the Virtuous Woman.

​Snow! What wonders and fears are conjured up at the mention of that word. I have seen my fair share of snow and often it has been a delight. As a child, I lived for a short time in North Dakota, and I remember building a snow dugout, like an igloo, with my brothers and dad. When I walked to school one time, I remember a wall of snow several feet tall on either side of the sidewalk, which was shoveled. It was amazing. I also have memories, not quite so fond, of shoveling snow in Ohio as a teenager. That was hard work for sure, but good for building muscle and enjoying the beautiful white scenery. When I started driving, snow became less delightful at times. Several driving incidents are etched permanently in my mind that involve snow—one in which I slid off the road into the median. Yes, snow holds dangers as well. As a child, I loved to frolic in the snow and with good boots, a snowsuit, high quality gloves, and a hat, I would enjoy hours of play. But there were other times when I didn’t have adequate clothing, and though the snow was enticing and delightful, I was soon frozen to the bone and back quickly taking refuge in the comfortable indoors.
 
This insufficient clothing problem happened with my own children too during a big Ohio snow. For some reason, they didn’t have proper gloves and grabbed some socks to put on their hands. Out they dashed into the snow to make snowmen and hurl snowballs. Before long, they were back in with bright red fingers. Their soaking wet, soiled, makeshift gloves lacked the properties necessary for the snow’s fury and cold. Looking back, I don’t even remember why they didn’t have proper gloves. In any case, I was not much like the Virtuous Woman in this. She prepared for the snow and all her household were warm and cozy when it came, and she was free from fear and fretting too…and also from frozen fingers.

​In Proverbs 31:21, the Virtuous Woman is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.