Blessed 

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Proverbs 31: 28-29

The Bible makes a good point that not only goes for life in general but also for issues such as being a Godly wife and mothering: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7) We’ve heard the expression you reap what you sow, if you sow bad seed you’ll reap bad crop.  This isn’t just a gardening lesson from the Bible, it’s a life lesson.  Whatever you put into a child or your husband, you will receive in return.  This woman sowed good seed. She not only provided for and took care of her children and husband but she loved and cherished them.  She didn’t just go to the grocery store and get what she knew her family loved for dinner.  She created an atmosphere of love.  Her children and husband knew they were loved.  No doubt.  If asked by any stranger “does your wife/mother love you?”  Not a moment of hesitation would linger before unwavering they answered “Yes!”  She adored her husband and children; no other could take their place.  The thought that another could take their place never loitered their minds.  She not only kissed scraped knees, provided a shoulder to cry on, but she also was a sound voice of reason and comfort.  She had no price.  Her children or her husband would never entertain the thought of a day without her and because of her love, affection, provision, Godliness, and care her children knew her value.  Her husband not only knew of her worth but he dotted on her.  He praised her knowing she was beyond price. This woman, the Bible teaches, excelled among other women.  Without doubt, we could look around and see all of the many virtuous things that Godly women do.  However, this particular woman wasn’t just proficient in a few things, she excelled in all.  Her life in that moment in time, wasn’t just an average mundane existence nor did she just fade into the crowd of wife and mother.  Not this woman, I suppose each person that she came into contact with knew that this woman was something to be cherished.  She didn’t have to broadcast her good works, those around her already knew of them.  She knew her task of wife and mother was far beyond any other task given, and she took them seriously.  She ultimately knew her job as a Godly woman.  Like any other job or task, much work must be put into it so that the correct outcome awaits at the end.  There is no difference in being a Godly woman, wife, and mother.  God’s instructions do not just fall out of the sky and pick and choose whom will receive them.  You must work at it.  Reading your Bible, studying, and spending time with the one who created woman, the marriage, and motherhood asking Him how He prefers it all to be done are the first steps.  After all, who doesn’t want to excel or be a blessed mother and wife? You’ll see the difference in your family if you follow God’s outline for being a woman, wife, and mother.

Busy and Tending

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27

            Everyone is concerned about the economy, and we all are doing those “little things” to cut back and save a few extra dollars.  More and more you see television shows centered around to art of frugal living, spending, and cleaning.  If we could travel back to the days when this Virtuous Woman lived, I guarantee she could shed light on how frivolously and richly we live.  Yet her household, with what she had, was tended to, prepared, and always taken care of.              Tough times often require a deeper dig into the checking account.  However, tough times shouldn’t dictate smart spending.  Smart spending and prayerful spending should happen even when the economy isn’t at it’s best.   Keeping your home stocked with enough food to last beyond a week and taking care of your home and belongings as though Christ himself was coming to stay create not just a house but a home.              When you think of home, the first thoughts should go quickly to the feel of comfort and safety.  The thought that no matter what happens, as long as the Lord abides in our home, we’ll make it through should not be too far from one’s mind. The Virtuous woman looked well into the ways of her home.  She didn’t just clean, cook, or do the laundry.  There was a home feeling within her home, and she was always prepared for whatever may come.  She didn’t fear a long cold winter because her home was stocked and prepared.  She wasn’t worried that her family would freeze because she had been knitting and preparing long before the winter struck.  I believe she was in a constant state of preparation and always thinking ahead.             This woman did not eat of the bread of idleness; she was far too busy to be idle.  The truth of the matter is, we get ourselves in far too much trouble when we have too much time on our hands.  Got too much time?  Give it to the Lord!  There are varying ways this may be accomplished: tending of the home, prayer, study, Bible reading, working for the Lord, visiting, etc… The list goes on and on and on.  There is much work to be done whether it may be work for your home or work for the Lord. We only have a few years to impact the lives that surround us, including our family.  Be busy about your work now, be prepared for the work, and always look for ways to better your household.  The Lord will bless your labor and will multiply your blessings.

Learning When To Speak

She openeth her mouth with wisdom: and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Proverbs 31:26

Our mouths are quite a unique feature of the human race.  It’s the only aspect that can cause a great deal of pain, can soothe, or uplift an individual.  This particular body part can get us in a great deal of trouble when used improperly. Waves of despair and hurt can be tracked back to one misstep, one slip of the mouth.  If you’ve ever been it’s target, chances are you have, then you know how badly it can hurt your life, friendships, ministry, marriage, children, and your reputation.

We see here in the first part of the verse that the virtuous woman opens her mouth with wisdom.  She knew when to speak and when to keep herself quiet.  She didn’t have “loose lips” and spout out whatever she felt whenever she felt it.  Imagine if you did that at any given time.  Chances are most wouldn’t care to be around you too much.  Learning discretion and reverence for those in your presence lifts up your Father in Heaven.  Jesus wasn’t degrading people as he walked the earth.  He was a thoughtful man who considered the feelings of the others around him.  Unfortunately, our society teaches us to say whatever we think.  That’s incorrect.  Sometimes saying something just because you feel it is very harmful.  Imagine if those who are in your company said whatever they felt about you.  Would you care to be around them?  Be kind and considerate, it will take you far with others.  Your self-control may help others come to Christ because they don’t see a hot-head or loose lips claiming Christ. 

Let us look at the second part of that verse, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  We can’t expect to get through this particular verse without expecting a mention of gossip.  First, let’s just say it doesn’t matter who you are (Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34) male or female, rich or poor, saved or lost.  Gossip is a hurtful and harmful aspect that everyone faces at some point.  It’s absolutely tough at times to avoid because we are curious creatures but the affects are truly devastating.  The virtuous woman had the law of kindness in her tongue which means she didn’t cause harm with her mouth.  Sometimes we have every good intention, we truly want to help.  Yet some how, somewhere those good intentions were twisted and turned into all-in-all gossip.  Ninety-nine percent of the time, it’s no one’s business.  

Consider your mouth and your speech, watch what you say and how you say it.  Being a good witness for Christ and for other Christians is to set an example that “I don’t do that because my Creator didn’t.”  If you need help, ask your Father, he’ll gladly help.  Find yourself on your knees somewhere and ask for that heavenly reminder to keep your speech in check.

In Time To Come 

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Proverbs 31: 24 – 25

We’re all looking towards the future, the new home, cars, children, grandchildren, retirement, a raise… it seems as though once one goal is accomplished another is already forming in our minds.  Once we’ve obtained that which we’ve labored for, we begin again the task of laboring for another.  We should all have goals; there should be some long-term and short-term goals that we are reaching for at all times.  The same goes for our Christian walk.  The Bible teaches, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).  The Word of God confirms that need in us to reach further and higher than we had previously reached.

Each of us at some point in our life have begun to build for something; building a checking account for the future home, building a relationship at work for a raise, building a relationship with our sweetheart for marriage. Whatever it may be we’re tucking away those things we need to be successful at our goal. Once that purchase is made, the sense of accomplishment pride and joy rise up within us.  We’ve done it!  All of this work, all of the sacrifices, all of the time and labor has brought forth my reward!  For the saved individual, our goals have similar rewards.  No, we won’t be driving around the most fancy car in Heaven or saving up to buy a home (mine has already been purchased and the master builder is under construction until I come Home) but the rewards we will gain will be definitely “out of this world”.

Some rewards we’re blessed to see and hold today.  Our Father is good and today He wants to shower us with blessings from above for all of the hard work we’ve done.  No doubt our rewards in Heaven will leave us in awe but the rewards here are pretty wonderful too.  Plus, our Father knows how to give good gifts! They come wrapped in the most beautiful dressings, with the most unique bow and name tag (To: My Lovely Child; From: Your Proud Father).  When you open it up, a smile begins to wrap around your face.  That’s a gift you always wanted but never could get for yourself.  You take the gift out of the box and show it off, others can see how this gift has affected you.  You’ve been blessed by the Ultimate Gift-Giver, and others want to be blessed too.  Our Father doesn’t mind, He doesn’t need to run to Wal-Mart to pick up another gift, He turns to their cabinet and picks out a perfect fit and sends it their way.  You’ll be a blessing to those who didn’t know that they could get blessed.  Your hard work and willingness to receive has had a chain reaction.

 In time to come, we’ll receive our ultimate reward. Until that day we continue to work for our reward.  The Bible promises in time to come we’ll reap what we have sown.  Sow good seeds, be a diligent worker, be “about the Father’s business” and the Father will make sure you are rewarded in time to come.

Well Done 

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Proverbs 31:18 – 22

We know quite a bit about the Proverbs 31 lady; she’s a hard worker, she’s a loving wife and mother, she has a grounded relationship with the Lord, and she’s a prayerful woman.  Earlier explanations introduced her as such.  The above scripture lifts up her and her work again.  One time was not enough to explain how wonderful and lovely this woman was, no, we are reminded again of her great works.  Once again she was lifted up and adored for all of those “little things” that she did.

More likely than not, most aren’t going to notice all the little things that you may do throughout the day.  It probably wouldn’t be that big of a deal if you didn’t get to the windows today, or maybe you just decided that the lesson that you teach at church goes unnoticed, or maybe your boss was being just a little too demanding today and the thought of doing one more task for him/her is too much.  You may think “they won’t even notice”.  And, you’re right, they might not.  Yet, you have that little voice on the inside telling you that it does matter.

Sometimes the little mundane, and not so mundane, tasks in life seem pointless and a waste of time.  (No one really cares anyway!)  But, it does matter and you do make a difference.  Even if all you do is clean the windows, it still makes a difference.  Imagine if no one cleaned them, that glorious sunlight that brightens a gloomy day wouldn’t shine through as sparkling and healing as it could.  Maybe you teach a class at church, keep pressing through.  You do make a difference!  You may not see it now, or ever, but they hear what you are saying and somewhere in life they’ll remember your words and your effort.  Sure, it’s difficult sometimes.  Those little things often go un-noticed, un-appreciated, and un-thanked.  Every-once-in-a-while we all need to be lifted up and patted on the back, that encouragement helps us to continue doing those things that we don’t necessarily have to do.  Even the Virtuous Woman needed to be lifted up again.

If you don’t have someone to pat you on the back and tell you good job, approach the throne of our Father.  He loves to tell you that He’s proud of you.  He’ll brag on you like none other.  Imagine when you do those good works Jesus leaning over to God, nudging Him and saying, “You see that? That one is ours. Isn’t she/he great!”  Imagine the smile that is plastered across His face.

Christian, keep going and keep pressing on.  The reward that awaits for us someday is far beyond the little things we do here on earth.  Until that day work to please your Father in Heaven.  At the end of the day you’ll survive, and you’ll have another blessing awaiting you. 

In The Garden

 “She considereth a field and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” Proverbs 31: 16 – 17            

I’ve noticed more and more this year the amount of vegetable gardens popping up here and there around town.  Financial constraints no doubt have played a significant part in that decision.  However, there is something extremely satisfying about planting a garden and watching it grow, especially when you know that the Lord blessed the efforts and His people.            

My husband and I had a garden of our own this year, too.  Though he did the majority of the laborious work, I’ve tended to it while he was at work.  There is a lot of natural processes that take place in the garden.  God has truly blessed us through our garden. We have had an overflow of blessings from this crop.  It has been a visual representation of God’s provision and love right in our own back yard.  God provided for us in a way that we haven’t seen before.  After planting our garden, my husband prayed for blessings upon the crop.  And, behold, our cup runneth over (literally).           

The Proverbs lady was no doubt, blessed by her garden as well.  She, unlike the majority of us, was not an impulsive buyer.  The Bible says she considered a field to buy, she didn’t jump or leap into a decision.  Without question, she prayed about a big financial decision.  More and more people and marriages are going further and further into debt (and trouble) because of those impulsive spending sprees.  We are a nation of want.  I want this… I want that… We have been wired to think we must keep up with the Jones’.  Being a prayerful woman or man of God provides more insight on the missed blessings impulsive buying affords.  Each of us wants to be blessed by God.  To be blessed we must offer up our finances and make decisions based upon prayerful time with our Father.  Jumping too quickly may remove you from a bucket full of blessings. Relying on God to do the miracles and blessings in the garden, job, family, or in our home starts with one simple bow of the knees.  Becoming a prayerful lady can begin now.  No applications needed.  He always waits to speak even if it is just to say thanks for the corn.  

A Woman of Provision

“She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also, while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” Proverbs 31:14, 15            

This was a woman of provision and love.  She tended to and kept her household,  including her maidens,  with love and generosity.  This lady not only a laborer but she is also one who considers others before herself.  She is not content with mediocrity. Her vision is to tend to others and to provide a welcoming and God-fearing atmosphere to those in her home.  The Bible tells us that she travels far off to retrieve her food.  Most of us travel only a few minutes to the local Wal-Mart, which is a blessing!  Imagine having to spend a day or hours traveling just to buy food.  Keeping her household fed and happy wasn’t just a mundane task.  This woman labored to keep her family and those to lived with her fed and happy. 

In the world of fast-pace, have it now, we often times forget about those small things that make the difference.  In those days, supper couldn’t be zapped in a microwave. Tedious planning and cooking took place.  I love to cook but don’t get me wrong, there are some days that I thank God for a good ‘ole fashion microwave!  However, I can certainly see the look of appreciation and gratitude in my husband’s face after spending the day cooking and baking.  We have so many luxuries afforded to us today that often times we forget about those small things that show our care and love.

The next part, I must admit is a bit difficult for me to write.  I admit openly that I am very fond of my sleep.  I often times tell my husband that I am simply too delicate to go to bed at midnight.  After a few toss and turns in the morning, I will eventually get up however grumbles and mumbles soon follow.  So as I read my soul becomes a little convicted that this woman rose while it was still night to feed her household.  It would be far easier for me to sugar coat and say this was Old Testament times, that’s what women did but I believe there is purpose in every word recorded in the Bible.  Now, I’m not saying at 5AM a five course breakfast is served, 12PM hot lunch, and a spread for dinner at 6PM.  What I am saying is that she put forth effort to take care of her family.  They knew that when it was time to rise she had considered them.  Her family knew she cared, the gratitude for her effort may have not always been there, but they knew by her actions that each were loved and cherished. A little time and effort stays with those that love you.  It’s not always easy.  It’s not always hard.  However, I’m sure that this virtuous woman hit her knees each day and asked for the strength.  Our Father is faithful and just to provide all that which we need.  Need energy, He can provide. Life’s tough, His yoke is easy.  Pray that you may be found putting in the energy and effort your husband and children need.

A Willing Worker 

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. Proverbs 31:13

            Our society as a whole is very lazy. We’re self proclaimed couch potatoes and it is no wonder. Endless hours of mindless entertainment can be found in countless forms from television to internet. So many things fight to keep our attention and to keep us from being productive. At the end of the day, that lack of productivity causes us to scratch our heads and wonder where the time has gone. Work never sounds like too much fun and we are a society centered on fun.            

I was thinking about the title verse one day this week as I was cooking dinner. It had been an exceptionally busy week and I thought about what I had and had not done for the week. My week hadn’t been consumed with television and internet but I felt very rushed to get things completed. I looked around and mentally made a list of what I needed to get done. I thought again and again, I need more time, there’s no time! Occasionally, I think that I don’t have much time and I wonder how time flies by. The fact is, there is very little time. The last days are upon us and we must be busy.            

The virtuous woman was a willing worker. She provided for her family as a wife and mother should. She took care of them and supplied those things that were needed. Yet, I know she also served God. Perhaps she was a Sunday School teacher or maybe she sang in the choir. We weren’t told her particular service, what we do know is that she was not an idle Christian. She was a worker for the Lord. Absolutely times got hard and it seemed as though there was very little time. No doubt she became discouraged. However, her effort and willingness to be a employee for the Lord reaped the benefits. 

You have approximately 75 years to make a difference for the Lord. What will your life entail at the end of the day? Will you be just an observer or a worker in the greatest industry every created. No application required. The retirement is out of this world and the reward is beyond imagination.

Good Versus Evil 

“She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:12            

The age old story, good versus evil. Some days, it’s very hard to be kind, even to those that you love. I’m still amazed at the complexities a woman has. One moment, we’re thrilled beyond belief with the one we love and suddenly, without warning, we begin to be grumpy and angry. What’s worse, we tend to bottle it in and not talk about what is going on in our minds. So, when we become cold or distant, our husbands are left wondering what’s going on with us. I’m reminded more and more each day how differently our Father designed us. Women are very emotional creatures, endless analyzers, and masterful at the emotional roller coaster. Our poor husbands are left wondering who we are and where we came from!            

Doing good unto our husbands, even during those emotional days, can be difficult. We’re so quick to be doers of good for strangers yet, we typically aren’t as quick to do good unto our beloved. Why? Is it because they left a towel on the bathroom floor, or if you pick up one more dirty sock off of the floor you’ll scream? Naturally, the husband/wife relationship is far more intimate and personal than that of a stranger. We see those faults, we recognize how different women and men are. We’re still commanded to do good unto our husbands. I often times consider my Father in Heaven and think of how many times I’ve been the one receiving the good and not evil. Being the receiver of such a gift, especially when you don’t feel like you deserve it, stirs your soul and plasters a smile on your face. He afforded me those blessings and looked past what I’ve done. He didn’t hold my short comings against me, He loved me and blessed me even though I was unlovable.            

Doing good unto your husband is far more than tangible items that are provided. It goes farther; how we behave around/not around our husbands, how we speak about our husbands, and how we treat our husbands. Far too many times marriages are broken by what was done when husband or wife wasn’t looking. In dark or light, visible or not, we are still expected to remain ladies. Farther, our speech and behavior around our husbands or lack thereof,  is imperative. I cringe when I see a wife belittling or talking poorly about her husband. I wonder to myself, ‘Why’d you marry him?’ The evil doings causes two major events to take place in the marriage, first your husband will naturally feel like he’s less of a man which will cause bitterness and separation. Secondly, after years, months, days, or weeks of feeling like he doesn’t stack up, he’s going to step down. God designed marriage as the man as the head of the home and the woman to be the help-meet. Reversing those roles will inevitably cause major rifts because it was not designed by God to be as such.            

Farther into Proverbs 31, it says “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” v.23 No doubt, he was not known for his inability but for his ability. I imagine the virtuous woman going to the market place and bragging about what a wonderful provider her husband is, and his faith in God. He was known for the good that his wife announced, not the bad. Sure, it’s without doubt that they had hard times, he probably got on her nerves a few times, and I’m sure he left his dirty sandles on her clean floor. However, she knew that lifting him up and letting him be known for his good Godly works would promote him to a place in the marriage that God intended. My desire is that all ladies see the value and importance of their actions and the words they have towards their husbands. I hope that each woman reading be doers of good and not evil all the days of their life.            

Trust            “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” Proverbs 31:11 This small verse paves the way for a strong and dedicated marriage. First, let’s look at a 5 letter word that too often is forgotten about in our world- trust. Are you a trust-worthy person? Can someone rely on your word? Trust in a marriage is of the utmost importance. With the church divorce rate at the highest, one must stop and look around. We so often tend to point the finger and blame the world for tearing marriages apart. We may need to stop, humble ourselves and blame ourselves for brining the world into the church.             Imperfections can be found in the church; gossip, backbiting, adultery, lying, divorce, hatred, and the list could go on. In most cases, those imperfections began with a little trust issue. Far too often those same trust issues enter a marriage and have devastating results. Being a trust-worthy person extends past the “big offenses” but to the little things. Can your husband trust that things told in confidence stay between the two of you. Does he trust you to be a Proverbs lady when he is not around?             A small trust issue can quickly become a big trust issue. Having your husband’s trust allows him to rest at ease knowing his wife is behaving properly. Fruit that is not eaten, around other rotten food, or neglected often times tend to spoil. The same is true for your husband. He won’t “go bad” in the relationship, the elements will not be in place for spoilage. He will maintain and sustain. Of course, for the wives, that too is a great benefit. The sweet things become sweeter and the love becomes greater.              Trust in any relationship requires time, patience, understanding, and lots of prayer. Let it be your prayer to become a woman who can be trusted with your husband’s heart.