rejoicing in the future {16}
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Proverbs 31:25
I so enjoy simply breaking things down into the definitions of words to understand what is going on.
Strength: “the quality of being strong; physical strength; mental or emotional qualities necessary to deal with stressful situations; the capacity to withstand great force or pressure”
Honor: “high respect; adherence to what is right; fulfill and obligation” …also called an “ornament”
There were a couple other phrases, but these were the gist of them all.
I think we might all agree that “clothing” is something we wear. My husband once preached about putting on our spiritual ‘underclothes’–that was quite interesting.
But we ARE to put on things that are not just physical. So “the mental qualities necessary to deal with stressful situations” could be something we are to actually, consciously wear… spiritually.
And since we’ve already talked about what she might wear physically, I think I’ll focus on the spiritual dressing here.
I must put on strength. Clothing is not usually something worn for days on end without changing out of an old and into a new item. So, applying that spiritually, we need to put ON a new “strength” every day.
I must put on honor. We’ve talked a little about respect. We must show respect towards our husband, as this is God’s plan for marriage. And when we “adhere to right and fulfill obligations” in our daily lives, we show the respect we have towards God and His plans.
Each day this “ornament” must be renewed. We must choose this fulfillment of obligations, this adherence to what we know is right. This becomes an ornament of our spirit.
These thoughts are rather weighty. This is purely a heart issue, but it will manifest itself in actions and deeds, in our speech and dress, in our attitude and reactions.
And as the verse continues… our rejoicing will come.
It may not happen the same day we chose to do right when it is the most difficult thing to do.
But it will come. {Remember that God specializes in the impossible.}
It may be a year or even a decade later. Or it may not happen until our own children are fully grown and we see them making right choices, because we did.
There may even be sometimes that our rejoicing does not come until heaven, with eternal rejoicing!
But our hearts will know rejoicing in time to come, because God tells us it will be so. So, let us put on strength {His strength!} and put on honor, daily… even hourly, and expect the rejoicing to come later.
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…to deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things… Proverbs 2:1-12
We must seek after God’s Words and hide them in our heart in order to acquire knowledge and wisdom
But just having God’s Words in our head {memorized} does not automatically make us wise. I am sure most of us know examples of that.
We must incline our ear and apply our hearts…
which indicates a heart issue of even wanting to have God’s wisdom.
Only when my heart is right in applying God’s Words will discretion preserve me from the evil man and from the man who speaks frowardly [to lead astray, be stubborn or disobedient].
My desire for today is to allow God to work on my heart so that His Word can be applied... and my ear will be inclined to hear His leading so that I may teach my children also to hear God’s voice for themselves.
a beautiful tapestry {13}
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Proverbs 31:22
Let us be encouraged today!
To decorate our homes and adorn our bedrooms and wear the clothing that makes us FEEL {and look} beautiful!
This is the way of the virtuous woman!
Coverings of tapestry are said to be either [or both] beautiful and ornate bedcovers OR carpets for visitors to rest on when visiting her home. Both are encouraging!
We can [and indeed, NEED] to take the time to make our bedrooms a place of beauty and rest, and teach and allow our children to do the same.
We also need to have a space prepared for being a gracious hostess. This is NOT to say that we must have an immaculate living room or spotless kitchen at all hours of the day. That would require living in a vacuum, and this is not what the Lord wants from His children!.
We also have the freedom {but how often do we embrace it?} to DRESS BEAUTIFULLY– each day.
Obviously, I will not be pulling out my Sunday best to wear when scrubbing the kitchen floor. But, [and I am totally pointing my whole hand of fingers at myself!] why can I not wear something pretty, or at the very least, attractive instead of frumpy, every day?
Even the unsaved understand the correlation between how we are dressed and our productivity.
I have several aprons. They aid wonderfully in keeping my clothing from being terribly soiled during the day, when I remember to wear them.
I think that we can all see the heart issue coming here.
Do we see the testimony that shows when we NEVER have anyone come visit? when we never INVITE.
This is something that has been weighing on my own heart recently.
I have come to realize that, truly, most other women DO NOT CARE if they come into my home and have to step over some toys– or see a little dust.
We live here.
Even another family is not going to mind too much. Most people just want to know that someone cares about them and their precious people.
My caring heart can be evident when I invite others over-especially other moms with small children!
What am I telling my husband when I regularly meet him in the worst clothing I own when he comes home each evening?
He should be right there under my Lord; and yet, instead of reaching for that clothing that is just under my church best, I reach for the bottom of the barrel.
My heart of love can SHINE out in my wardrobe selection.
**[As a side note: I do have a few pieces of clothing that I keep for the really nasty, dirty stuff [and some of them are actually nice tops that have been stained a little too much through forgetting my apron or carrying a baby around] but I try to be sure I KEEP them for the dirty jobs. Otherwise, I have tried to do a purging of those frumpy, “ugly-feeling” things [they make me feel ugly].
When I do purchase something new I ask myself first-do I really need it? and then: do I REALLY like it more than what is already in my wardrobe? and if I do like it better than something nice I already have, it gets bumped to everyday-nice WITH AN APRON!
The point being, I try to always have nice clothing [that I know my husband likes!] that I CAN pull out every day.]**
Lord, help me keep a beautiful heart that wants to shine out!
and bless my family and those I invite to share my home.
reaching {not waiting}… for the needy {11}
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:20
During this time of year [as I am writing this it is near the Christmas and the Thanksgiving holidys in America], people are often more thoughtful of giving to charity and helping those in need.
But as Christians, especially ladies striving to BE the woman God created us to be, we need to be mindful of those in need more regularly. {BUT, in this day of deceit and danger, we must also beg God for discretion in this.}
As usual, this begins with the heart issue. Just giving some money to a charity or groceries to a food bank is not what this verse is talking about, though it could be included.
Our hearts must be turned and softened by His hand in our lives for us to have a SPIRIT of GIVING in our daily LIFE. Not just during a season of the year when ‘everyone’ is doing it. And the poor and needy does not only mean those without material possessions or food and shelter.
Do I have a SPIRIT of GIVING when I am at home with my children? towards my husband? Just this past Saturday my husband and I were computer chatting with each other [I know that sounds odd when we are in the same house, but occasionally it is easier to communicate that way with 3 talking little-people and a baby to keep OUT of the conversation].
so, back to the story. While we were chatting, my husband asked me to get him some more coffee. I am at the back of the house and he is in the room right next to the kitchen. But I was WILLING to get up and do it for him. [that is not always the case, but it should be].
To be fair, my husband quickly wrote back that he was joking and was perfectly capable of getting his own coffee, though he was appreciative of my spirit.
Do I have a SPIRIT of GIVING when I am out driving, shopping, LIVING? Am I in such a rush to do MY thing that I get frustrated with others on the road. Or am I able to see that others out there are in need of kindness-such as letting someone cross traffic in front of you because you notice there is no one coming the other direction and yet there is along line of traffic behind you [obviously not in some situations].
When I’m shopping, do I let it bother me when in a crowd with others shoving and being rude? Or do I ask God to help me be sweet and smiling and GIVING?
These are just a few examples of reaching our hand to the needy and stretching our hands to the poor– beyond giving money to charity and groceries to a food bank.
Let us allow a SPIRIT of GIVING to permeate our lives from the One Who Gave All.
her candle is lit in the night {9}
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
Proverbs 31: 18
perceive. to realize or know something. to become aware of a fact.
merchandise. gain or profit. trading goods and/or services.
candle. light. illumination that is required for her to complete the task.
night. the time of darkness at the end of the day.
But also a season.
Have you ever thought of night as being a season?
Do I know or realize that the gain or profit acquired by my hand for my family is good, and necessary; and I must do my best? Sometimes doing what is best for my family does mean that I must stay up past the setting of the sun- and not just stay up but accomplish my task before I lay down to rest.
But beyond my daily tasks [that sometimes seem mundane but are really what my children will look back on and remember as their childhood {just think about what you remember the most from your childhood}], does my candle continue to shine during seasons of darkness?
Does the light of Mommy grow dim when I am stressed? Does the candle of Wife flicker went we meet an obstacle in our path, or is that when I cling to God more so that His light can make my life shine even brighter?
[sadly, I know that all too often my candle has gone out by night.]
And this is the heart issue.
Am I willing to see that the work of a wife & mother is my treasure? Yes, here on earth, but even more importantly –in heaven. It is good. God gave it to me!
And when the shadows come, and even in the midst of a season of darkness, does my candle go out?
…her candle goeth not out by night.
rising early {6}
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Proverbs 31:15
This verse is probably the hardest for me. I know you can train your body to awake at a certain time, but some people are naturally early risers. And I am not one of them!
As usual, this verse means more than what it says. Yes, it does mean to rise early and prepare for the rising of your family-both physically and spiritually. But this is as much a heart issue as it is a area of domesticity.
Domestically, I do need to be sure my children have a healthy breakfast [or healthy snack for break at school as my eldest does not always feel like eating as soon as she wakes up]. I need to be sure there is something readily available for my husband to eat if he chooses. [Yes, my husband gets up alone, earlier than I do. But he’s OK with that. We’ve tried the getting up together, but there is very little I am good for before 630.]
I sometimes make a pan of cinnamon rolls and refrigerate them so a few seconds in the microwave and he has his favorite! Or I make a batch of cheesy sausage biscuits. Or I just make sure his favorite cereal is stocked in the pantry. And don’t forget to keep the coffee can FULL!
And then there are her maidens [servants]. Wow. I wish I had servants some days.
But then I was reading here and there in preparation for this verse and another lady {I’m sorry that I have no idea who she is} was also lamenting the lack of servants. And God prompted her, which in turn spoke to me through her writing.
I have many servants. And some I do not utilize to their full potential. My servants include but are not limited to: washing machine, dryer, slow cooker, computer, etc. When I do get up, giving a portion to my maidens could include: put a load of clothing in the washer, put food for supper in the slow cooker or at least know what and when I will cook for supper. Then sit down to my morning Bible reading-with my online Bible and devotion studies. Then, when more people are awake, I can be a little noisier and empty the dishwasher.
Of course, as I type this, my sink is full of dirty dishes and my dishwasher is full of dirty dishes, because I forgot to turn it on last night. And my washing machine is empty, though the dryer is full of dry clothing! I have yet to really contemplate supper and it is fully 9:00 AM! But, my husband and daughter got out the door with good lunches and snacks for the day. And I was up to hug and kiss them both before they left.
Domestically, this verse will look different in every household. And today, I am behind-not an unusual occurrence, but one I do try to change daily.
Spiritually, this verse is even harder to apply. Is my attitude one of a servant upon my first waking moment? Is my spirit as that of Christ?
Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus:
who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
but made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men:
and being found in fashion as a man,
he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death…
Philippians 2:5-8
If Christ, who IS GOD, can have a servant’s heart towards me[!], then who am I {His creation!} to balk as such an idea of being a servant to my family?
Do I rise [not specifically with it being dark outside] and make sure my family has ‘morning fuel’? Is my attitude one of being my family’s servant? {not slave-I must train my children to be obedient and respectful as well as to do their own chores and to have their own servant’s heart}
Do I use my ‘servants’ to the best of my ability and to their full potential [household gadgets]?
~~~ As a side note: much of my daily preparation is done the night before, because I know that rising before a certain time is more than likely not going to happen. ever. So, after my children are in bed and before I go to bed, I try to be sure my sink is empty [obviously there are days that doesn’t happen] and the dishwasher is running; and I make sure there is something in the refrigerator ready for hubby and daughter’s lunch boxes the next day. And before SHE goes to bed, my daughter’s responsibility is to pick her clothing -from socks to shirt and all underneath- for the next morning, and we’re working on her making sure her homework is back in her bag after I have signed it.~~~
Let us remember today to ask the Lord for His servant’s heart to be alive and working in us. And if we have trouble with the ‘rising early’ then may we be more pro-active and get ready for the day before we go to bed! [maybe another post another day]