proverbs 31 Archives - Page 2 of 2 -

February 15, 2019February 15, 2019

Proverbs 31 – A Virtuous Work Ethic

It’s ironic me currently writing a blog post on work ethic. I’ve taken a nap and only completed two things on my list for today. (It almost 3pm as I’m writing this. 😉 ) But hey, I’m pregnant! Right?!

Honestly though, pregnant or not, you’re going to win some and you’re going to lose some. The key, is handling it gracefully!

Proverbs 31:17 – “She sets about her work vigorously; and her arms are strong for her task. ”

Once again, I love synonyms. Vigorously might not mean the same to every person. I honestly thought vigorously was more intense, more hard core. However, when I looked up some synonyms for it is – powerfully, energetically, eagerly, enthusiastically.

So, it’s not all about how hard you are going to attack a plan or project. Rather how you attack it. Instead of doing your household chores, wifely duties, or projects at work like you must attack it with strength…. What if you attacked it with enthusiasm?

The Bible says – “All hard work brings a profit.” Proverbs 14:23

I imagine the Proverbs 31 woman does all her work the best she can and she does them with a positive attitude.

“Her arms are strong for her task.” Anyone else agree that cleaning house is a form of exercise? 😉

Proverbs 31:18 – “She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.”

A Proverbs 31 woman sees her success. How often as women we see our failures first. I wonder if she struggled with wife duties, mom duties, house duties, and all while trying to not drive herself crazy. I mean back when this was written, they didn’t have deluxe kitchens, Walmarts, or an iPhone.

It all depends on how we measure success. Do we measure it by a clean home? A paycheck? Everything checked-off our never ending to-do list?

Or do we measure it by we tried our best, we have a warm meal tonight, and everyone went to bed knowing they are loved?

Matthew 16:26 – “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, and yet forfeit their soul.”

Please don’t lose who you are in the work you do. You are a beautiful daughter of God. Who you are and your success is found in Christ.

“Her lamp does not go out at night.”

I do not take this literally, I mean the woman has to sleep. But, she is not lazy with her time. She has “work time.” Which probably means she isn’t checking social media or procrastinating. That is another goal of mine.. for my lamp to not go out at night. 😉

Proverbs 31:19 – “In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.”

This verse has to do with working with fabric. I have no sewing skills whatsoever. I made one bag in 4H and let’s just say it’s not my trade.

However, she is providing for her family and teaching her children, servants, and maidens a Christian work ethic. She is a leader by example.

I hope I don’t forget with my upcoming son that more is “caught than taught.” This can apply to your employees or spouse. I hope that as a Christian woman, I can lead by example and not by words.

Work vigorously.

Flex your arms. 😉

Find your success in Christ.

Lead by example.

Jesus loves you oh virtuous wife!

February 1, 2019February 1, 2019

Proverbs 31 – A virtuous wife, mom, shopper, planner, early riser with eager hands.

As I’m writing this and I hope as you are reading this, that you would pray a special prayer for the Lord to speak to you.

I still doubt myself in writing this. Satan gets in my head saying, why? No-one will read this? What are you doing?

But one thing I am learning is that often times, the things we are most scared to do, are the things we need to do.

I have a feeling a virtuous woman probably tells Satan to “shhhh” it anyway.

So what does a virtuous wife, mom, shopper, planner, early riser with eager hands mean to me?

Verse 13- “She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. “

The NIV version says eager hands. Eager means “wanting to do or have something very much.”

How many of us ever have eager hands? The only thing my hands are ever eager about is eating a donut! (They actually have good gluten free ones now, hallelujah!). Or how many of us aren’t eager until we have coffee?

I’m usually never eager to do dishes, laundry, clean the bathroom, or go to work. BUT what if I saw this as an opportunity to love Jesus and share Jesus with my kids or husband? What if Christians really were the happiest most eager people on Earth?

Colossians 3:23 -“ Whatever you do, work at it with ALL your heart, as working for the Lord….”

Whatever you do – dishes, laundry, cleaning the toilet – can be used as a moment to glorify the Lord. Glorify the Lord in providing a simple task for your family.

Verse 13 also says she provides wool and flax. Flax is a “blue-flowered herbaceous plant that is cultivated for its seed and for textile fiber made from its stalk.”

I’m not a lover of wool so we will pretend its cotton. 😉

Verse 14 – “She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.”

Now with Kroger click list and Shipt, bringing food from “afar” is not that hard. However, I think this sentence speaks volumes.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English reader says: “Looks for opportunities of buying cheaply at a distance from home, instead of paying a large price on spot.”

By being considered like “ships of the merchant” – A virtuous wife is wise and well planned.

I imagine a virtuous woman taking some time every day to plan her day and meals. Maybe it’s early morning time or late at night. She seems to have a plan and sticks to it.

Verse 15 – “ She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.”

She gets up early and gets the job done. That is one of my goals for this year. I personally feel so much better, when I rise early and get some simple tasks on out of the way.

She also provides food for her household AND maidens. A virtuous wife seems to be very thoughtful and much of a planner. I wonder if she prefers Erin Condren or a Day Designer planner. 😉

Verse 16 – “She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.”

I imagine a virtuous wife as independent and strategic. “She considers,” means she puts thoughts into her purchases. I believe she consults with her husband. AND her husband trusts her judgement.

She plants a vineyard. I have no green thumb – I even killed a cute little cactus before! However, a virtuous wife is productive in providing for her family’s needs. Whether that food is homemade or wisely bought from the store it’s given in love.

So, take a deep breath

Be eager to work

Be a wise planner

Rise early and drink coffee 😉

Feed your family spiritually and physically with love.

Jesus loves you oh virtuous wife.

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019

Proverbs 31 ~ A Virtuous Wife

I’ve always felt passionate about Proverbs 31. As a woman who takes her faith seriously, this is “goals” for wifehood. Something that I believed the Lord has laid on my heart, is for me to study Proverbs 31… and to share my notes, thoughts, and rants with you.

I think one big long post about this section would be way to long for even me to read. I hope to spend a blog post just discussing a few verses to think about everyday.

I hope that through this experience of reading and writing, we can grow more as a woman, a wife, and a believer in Christ.

So Proverbs 31 – The virtuous wife.

Before we even begin to read, I had to look up what virtuous even really meant. The ESV version uses the word “excellent.” Good ol’ google uses “having or showing high moral standards.”

But what does that really mean? I’m more of a one-word definition type of girl. Some synonyms are: righteous, good, pure, “whiter than white.”

Let’s pause for a moment… “whiter than white”…this synonym made me pause and squint real hard to make sure I was reading it correctly. Because if it literally means “whiter than white” I am truly virtuous. ;). Any other pale skin girls? The type of pale the sun literally reflects off your legs and your need sunglasses so you don’t blind yourself? ; )

Unfortunately just based off our skin tone does not qualify us as virtuous. When I think of “whiter than white” I think of pure, holy, kind, and loving. A woman that reflects Christ in every aspect of her daily life.

Now that we know what a virtuous wife is, let’s read what she is like.

Verse 10 says, “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.”

A woman who loves Jesus is worth more than any jewel. We may not feel like it or look like it all the time, but remember what our worth is found in.

Verse 11 – “The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.”

My husband is my best friend. I can’t imagine if he wasn’t. We still use phrases like “PINKY PROMISE,” even though we both trust each other. My husband trusts me so much that he can tell me where my Christmas presents are and I will not go look. I am tempted to look. ;). When tempted, I just remember how happy he will be when he sees how surprised I am.

“He will have no lack of gain.” Once again, I am puzzled, what does that even mean? Different translations add some more insight:

NIV – Lacks nothing of value.

NLT – She will greatly enrich his life.

CSB – He will not lack anything good.

CEV – She never lets him down.

What does it mean to not lack value or anything good? As a wife it may be caring for the physical needs, I tend to think this has to do more with a spiritual need.

As a wife, I feel I need to be a source of confidence for my husband. To give him hope when he needs it. To encourage him and to show I believe in him. I am learning, men need this more and more every day.

“I love you.” “You did great!” “I appreciate you helping me.” “Thank you!”

I notice when my husband hears these sayings more and more, his confidence grows and he believes more in himself. He feels purpose and love in our home.

Galatians 5 talks about the Fruits of the Spirit. The Fruits of the Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

I hope to work more on providing these fruits to me and my husband everyday.

Verse 12: “She does him good and not evil. All the days of her life.”

All is a big word. Thankfully we constantly receive grace from God. We are not perfect. But how much different would our day be if we realized honoring and reflecting Christ is the goal for the day. Going to work, doing chores, and running errands are just opportunities to reflect, share, and grow in Jesus.

Let’s work on loving Jesus and being a reflection of Jesus to our husbands every day, ALL day.

Jesus loves you oh virtuous wife.