Her Price Is Far Above Rubies

by Harry Osborne

Last Friday, the earthly tabernacle of our dear sister Juanita Dennis was laid to rest in sure and certain hope of being raised incorruptible when our Lord returns (1 Cor. 15:50-53). An overflow crowd was present for her funeral that morning. The previous night, the visitation was attended by an estimated 2000 to pay their respects. As her spiritual family, we mourn Juanita's passing and are left with shock at the suddenness of her passing and an indescribable void at the loss of her loving presence among us. There is no disputing the fact that Juanita's influence was powerful and positive as she touched so many lives.

But how was that influence for good attained and what lessons can we learn from it? Though Juanita was successful in business, her success did not stem from ruthlessness, pride or greed often associated with magnates of commerce. In fact, her business practice was the exact opposite of those characteristics. Though Juanita was influential in her community, it was not the result of being a brash, social activist or leader of some feminist cause. Her influence was the result of a quiet manner which laid the groundwork for others to take the credit for efforts she had made possible. Though Juanita had a great effect upon every member of this church, it was not because she sought places of authority either overtly or covertly. Instead, she was a servant of all whose great effect was due to her great love. Though her family looked to her as the strength to bind them together, it was not the result of her usurping the headship. Juanita influenced her family in exactly the way Peter describes -- they beheld her "chaste behavior coupled with fear" and her "incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (1 Pet. 3:1-6).

As I have thought about Juanita's impact for good on so many and the reason for it, my mind keeps coming back to many things in her life that parallel the worthy woman's description in Proverbs 31. She was upheld as worthy by the inspired writer by fulfilling a woman's God-ordained role in every realm, not by leaving that role. So it was with Juanita. In an age where many women have rebelled at the distinction in roles taught for men and women, a lesson about the effectiveness of a woman in the role as designed by God needs to be understood. Please consider the following points that made both the woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31 and Juanita worthy of emulation:

"The Heart Of Her Husband Trusteth In Her"

The worthy woman is repeatedly said to be a blessing to her husband and to have his respect. "She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life" (v. 12). "Her husband... praiseth her, saying, Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all" (vv. 28-29). A wife who fulfills the responsibility given by God by seeking the good of her husband will be highly esteemed by any husband with good sense. By all that I witnessed, it was very clear that Juanita was such a wife to Robert and that he rightly trusted and valued her. I never heard Juanita say one disparaging word about Robert. She was committed to his welfare. For any marriage to succeed, both parties must respect and trust in one another. Juanita left a good example of a woman who showed respect and trust, as well as fostering the same in return.

"Her Children Rise Up, And Call Her Blessed"

The woman of this text fed her household, clothed them and saw to it that their needs were met in every way (vv. 15, 21, 27-28). The greatest task that God has given women is the care for and instruction of children. The love Annette and Brian have for their mother testifies to the fact that Juanita fulfilled the role of a godly, loving mother. Children see their mother day in and day out, in good times and hard times. They see the difference between a person who truly loves God and loves them and one whose love is merely a pretense. There was no pretense in the love Juanita had for her God or her children. She has bequeathed to them something far more valuable than gold or silver. She has left them a living example of unfeigned faith (cf. 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-15).

"Her Lamp Goeth Not Out By Night"

The industriousness of the worthy woman is noted throughout this text. It is seen in her attention unto the needs of her family. It is seen in her commercial endeavors. The worthy woman was not lazy. Neither was Juanita! In fact, those around her always tried to get Juanita to slow down and not work such long hours. But Juanita feared the results of under-work more than over-work. Success as a homemaker, business person or Christian requires hard work.

Wisdom & Kindness Are "On Her Tongue"

The text says, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue" (v. 26). Speech of grace and kindness is tied with the wisdom producing such (Col. 4:5-6). Juanita manifest a heart-felt confidence in people that they would act rightly (cf. Phile. 21). I will miss her kind and encouraging words which always started with "Hey, honey" and continued with a hug and a smile. May God help us imitate Juanita's kindness as we labor together.

"A Woman That Feareth Jehovah..."

The primacy of spiritual things is the most important and compelling reason for the worthiness of this woman. The text says, "Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised" (v. 30). The most praiseworthy thing true of Juanita was that she lived without any pretense as a Christian who humbly served God. She had grace, dignity and beauty in her physical presence, but that was not what made Juanita a worthy woman whose price was far above rubies. Juanita's true wealth and beauty were found deep within a heart that feared God and kept His commandments. I shall miss many things about her, but her pure love for God I will miss most.

Dear sister and friend, we grieve your loss to us, but we rejoice for your gain. We are thankful for the example you left and will seek to imitate it. We will miss your love, but be comforted that you will rest in the infinite love and glorious reward of our Father until we reunite at the dawn of that eternal day.