"A virtuous woman who will find her, more precious than the most precious stone" Proverbs 31:10

This month we celebrate International Women's Day. Thank you Lord for your creation, but do we really value what women mean in our lives?

Virtuous comes from the Latin virtus which means power, strength, force, energy. From its Greek origins arete means "excellence" and from its Hebrew roots éshet jáyil which means "powerful, courageous or warrior".

Beyond exalting women it is time to ask ourselves if we have valued them as we should, how they are valued by the Lord.

"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers, but a wise woman is the Lord's" Proverbs 19:14.

Originating from the Latin prudentia, prudence is a term used as a synonym for wisdom, moderation, temperance, caution or moderation. It is the virtue that leads someone to behave in a just and proper manner.

The image of women has been blurred and sexualized to the point of turning her into an object to be used as one pleases, in advertising, music videos, magazines and much more. Women are not that, or anything like it.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for her" Ephesians 5:25.

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them wisely, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered" 1 Peter 3:7

"As a weaker vessel" beyond the obvious, is linked to ".... How Christ loved the church..." is a request to protect, care, praise, support, love women because in them there are virtues that God has inherited for the good of our family, our society.

The purpose is that we are one with them, not only sexually, but intimately, spiritually, one flesh walking, celebrating, sustaining, battling together. There is fulfilled what the Lord has said "where two or more are gathered in my name, there will I be with them" and "what the Lord has joined together, let no man put asunder".

Thank you Lord for women; we ask you to guide us to give them the position and importance that they really have in your creation, in our lives and we return to live in true community full of virtues that you, Lord, have put in them.

God bless you!