She’s invisible with her productivity. She gets things done, while she caretakes everyone in her orbit.
Invisible labor? Yep, she’s doing it.
Emotional labor? Yep, she’s kissing and making it better for someone right now.
There are two concepts which have been gaining more ground, more debate, and more demands to be acknowledged and respected.
These concepts are that of “Invisible Labor” and “Emotional Labor.”
“Invisible Labor” is self-explanatory.
It’s the work that does not get noticed. And often, it’s work that also does not get paid.
Therefore, it is largely unvalued. There’s no tangible paycheck attached to it.
“Invisible Labor” often applies to chores like cooking, housecleaning, laundry, and anything that can keep a home and a life running smoothly. Most of the time, the lion’s share of this labor falls to a woman, a wife, and a mother. It’s not limited to only the traditionally assumed duties of a housewife. Now, with many women working outside of the home, there is still the expectation that “she” will do it.
“Woman’s work,” after all.
There is an association that some jobs are meant only for women. Everyone needs to be fed, have clean clothes, and not live in filth. And it’s up to “her,” be she wife, mother, girlfriend, sister, or daughter, to do those things.
If those things don’t get done, life is severely impacted.
And “she” knows this.
Therefore, she takes it upon herself to do this invisible and the unpaid labor.
It needs to be done somehow.
“Emotional Labor” is the second concept, gaining more attention and conversation.
Being loving, nurturing, patient, caregiving, and “maternal” are all traits widely given to the female “to-do list.”
It goes beyond mothering. It is fully taking the emotional temperature, and assuming responsibility for the environment around her.
She is expected to give, and give, and give of herself to others, listening to them, helping them, being what others need of her, as they need it.
And there is often no paycheck attached to this, either.
Unpaid work. Expected.
She is expected to be a therapist, a mother, a nurse, a caregiver, a cheerleader, a coach, and an all-around “fixer.”
I’m a woman of faith. That means there are certain tenets of that faith I deem valuable and aspirational.
And who is the embodiment of those valuable and aspirational standards?
Well, she’s widely known in the faith community as “The Proverbs 31 Woman.”
Her attributes are found in that book. The verses roll out like a checklist of who a woman of faith “should” be.
She’s the exemplary wife, mother, career woman, and person of faith. She sets a high bar.
And most of the time, I feel I come up incredibly short.
For many years, I have felt frustrated and defeated as I’ve strived to be more like this idealized Proverbs 31 Woman. She just seems too perfect to be real.
The faith world was one thing.
Being a woman of faith in the middle of Patriarchy?
“A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
(Verse 10)
Right away, character is mentioned. Just look at the adjective: “noble.”
She is even prized above the expensive red jewels that are viewed as valuable, “priceless,” and major status symbols.
Yep, there appears to be such judgment associated a quality wife/woman. Wife and woman can be interchangeable. Botton line: “she” must be noble/virtuous.
This woman is the rare unicorn to be sought and found.
Why? Because she is “worth it.”
Invisible Labor?
Emotional Labor?
Why, exactly, is she worth it?
Why is it criteria for her?
Let’s change gears a bit and talk about scripture’s “workman.”
“The workman is worthy of his hire.”
1 Timothy 5:18
HIS Hire…
No disputing the validity of his worth. No “Invisible” or “Emotional” Labor, meaning unpaid,and unacknowledged, is attached to him.
What about… The Work Woman?
“The work- woman is worthy of her hire.”
Why is that not uttered and enforced?
Well, back to the Ideal standard, known as “The Proverbs 31 Woman.”
Let’s do a little autopsy on it.
Again, first thing…
“A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.”
(Verse 10)
She’s in demand (Invisible and Emotional Labor). Everyone wants her; everyone wants the benefits that come attached TO her.
“Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.”
(Verse 11)
She adds these Invisible and Emotional Labor benefits, do a whjole array of tasks, chores, duties. The spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, and financial advantages, for instance, that come with her are far-reaching. And they impact “his” life, right then and there.
“She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
(Verse 12)
“She selects wool and flax…”
(Verse 13)
Largely speaking of Invisible labor here, although, yes, Emotional labor’s support is often infused within any kind of “work” she does. She loves. She cares. That’s what something is done well.
“…and works with eager hands.”
(Verse 13)
“Eager”- Emotional Labor. Again, she puts her heart into what she does, out of love, most of the time.
“She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.”
(Verse 14)
Invisible Labor. How does food and provision show up? What did it take for her to make sure it happened effectively? Other people can’t really say for sure. It just “got done.”
No muss- no fuss.
But it WAS muss and fuss for her.
“She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.”
(Verse 15)
Again, “Invisible Labor” starts early,rising before daylight, unseen, productive. She is often the first person up in the household.
Prepping for the day.
That prepping extends to how many people as that day that “is still night” gets going?
“She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.”
(Verse 16)
More work, more unseen work, typically. “Invisible Labor.” She doesn’t draw attention. She just gets on with things.
“She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.”
(Verse 17)
Both Invisible and Emotional Labor are in effect, because she chooses to put effort, with her attitude, her decision to do so, being largely the attitude that is the core of “Emotional Labor.”
“She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.”
(Verses 18-19)
Work, work, work.
Working, again, at night, more than likely, unseen.
“Invisible,” because everyone else went to bed.
“She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.”
(Verse 20-21)
Both kinds of labor, yet again, are operating. She keeps the home running, protected by her prayers, work, effort, love, nurturing, etc. Again, so many benefits are attached to her. Benefits that others are blessed by. And they often don’t think about how their lives are enriched by her. They can just enjoy the “ignorance is bliss” aspect of their reality.
“She makes coverings for her bed.”
(Verse 22).
She’s still making things. “Invisible Labor,” heavily, here.
“She is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.”
(Verses 22-23)
Social capital. That means that she gives “him” credibility, status, respect. Both “Invisible” and “Emotional” Labor make for a better image, reputation. Let’s face it. A man looks better married with family. Right? Everyone whispers about “the man who never married,”/ a/k/a, “what’sWRONG with him?”
“She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.”
(Verse 24)
Invisible Labor. She’s working; she’s skilled.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
(Verse 25-26)
In my opinion, I believe that this is the Most “Emotional Labor” verse I have ever seen! It exemplifies its definition. She’s giving loving, wise, support, help, guidance, and wisdom. Emotional Labor. Period.
“She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
(Verse 27)
Likewise, Verse 27 is The Most “Invisible Labor” verse I have ever seen.
Watching that household, after all. And she BETTER NOT be idle!
A “no lazy zone” here, Folks!
“Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.”
(Verse 28)
Praise, yes, is what she should ideally get. It would be beautiful if every woman did experience the acclaim from those around her. But it is, more often, all too often, “the exception, not the rule,” isn’t it? Again, because both Invisible and Emotional Labor are not obvious. But their absence? That’s another story!
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
(Verse 29)
“Mirror, Mirror, on the wall. Who is The Most Invisible Labor Working woman of them all?”
It sounds like a contest to me.
And I do not enjoy pitting women against each other (Again, my subjective opinion, yes, even on scripture here).
Why does it need to be a contest? Why can’t every woman be celebrated, not just “the best of the best?”
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears Elohim is to be praised.”
(Verse 30)
The spiritual nature of both kinds of labor are highlighted here. “Invisible.” “Emotional.” They are often approached by her, whether she realizes it, as “does it unto Elohim” (Colossians 3:23-24).
“Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
(Verse 31)
The big flourish.
Again, like Verse 28, she should be honored, paid, respected, seen, heard, known, but often, she is not given any of that due.
What woman, in your circle, is not being heralded?
I especially ask you men out there.
Do you have any idea just how much value she brings to you?
If she was not there, what would happen?
Exactly.
You don’t like to think about it, do you?
You don’t like to think about all that work and effort.
She has been doing it, the entire time.
So…
“The Work WOMAN is WORTH HER Hire!”
ABBA Father-
We come to You, in The Name of Your Son, Our Savior, Yahshua.
You know who is that honorable woman.
You know how many of your daughters are EXACTLY THAT, right now.
You know the silent overlooking reality they all endure.
You know their stress and their strain.
You know the absence of help and recognition they endure.
Honor all Your daughters.
You know who is around them, and how they treat them.
Correct those who are mistreating, neglecting, exploiting, and abusing them.
Repair, reconcile, restore, heal, and lift each Proverbs 31 Woman.
There are so many out there, and they don’t realize it.
Show them their worth, now, in Your Esteem and in Your Eyes.
Help them.
Honor them.
Thank You for the Wonderful Beauty and Attributes of each woman.
Let her feel how special she is, even as she reads this.
Love her, as only You can.
Thank You for her lifting.
We agree and receive it all, with gratitude, in The Name of Yahshua.
AMEN.
Copyright © 2026 by Sheryle Cruse
