Photo Credit: theinspiredcafe.com

As I continue to move through 14 Ways A Wise Woman Builds Her House, specifically focusing on Proverbs 31:10-31, I find myself constantly challenged and encouraged as a wife, mom and grandmother.  Last time I shared with you from Proverbs 31:10-12–The Perfect Wife. [Read that post here].  As I said in that post, my heart’s desire is to be this kind of wife.   A wife whose marriage reflects Christ in the way I respond to and care for my husband.  Sometimes I fall, but I am determined to get right back up and surrender to God in this area again.

Today in Part 8, I would like to take a look at Proverbs 31:13-15:  “She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.  She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.  She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.” NIV.  The Message says it like this: “She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.  She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.”  In these verses, we see that this wife is industrious, a planner, determined, she cooks and she delegates.   

As I mentioned in my last post, don’t let this woman intimidate you.  Let her spur you on to upping your game.  Ok, let’s chew this in bite-sized pieces.

a.  She shops around for the best yarn and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.  I so admire women who work with their hands in this way.  Back in the day (as a young wife and mom), I was that wife.  In my attempt to be the perfect Proverbs 31 wife and mom, I shopped for yarn and fabrics and I knitted and sewed.  I had a cousin who taught me to knit and I had a friend who taught me to sew.  They mentored me.  The same friend that taught me to sew gave me my first sewing machine which I still have.  That was 35 years ago.  I made clothes for my children, myself, and others.  I made curtains, pillows, tablecloths, etc. for my home.  I knitted sweaters, hats, scarves and slippers for my children.  I amazed myself.  I took so much pride in the creativity of my hands. I knew at that point God could make anybody creative.  After all, we were created in His own image so we possess that ability as well.  I must say that this newly discovered work of my hands deepened my purpose, my potential and my passion as a homemaker.  I felt like I was a very strong and very real contributor to my husband and our family as we were desperately trying to make ends meet.  This was the part that I could invest.  Today, in this season of my life, it is no longer a necessity nor a priority but I did enjoy it.  The principle is: Be Industrious.  I no longer shop around for the best yarns and cottons to knit and sew, but I do shop around for clothing and household goods that are less costly but well made.  If I know I can make something cheaper than I can buy it, I don’t hesitate to pull that sewing machine out and get to work.

b.  She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. I would love to sail to faraway places and bring back exotic surprises for my family.  It ain’t happening though.  I set my sails to enter the ports of Target and Wal-Mart.  Exotic surprises? Does French toast and Colombian roast coffee count? Swedish meatballs and Italian spaghetti sauce?  I hope so, lol!!  I will definitely go out of my way for a good deal though but nowadays, I’ll settle for any place that’s within driving distance!  I get online ads for my favorite stores and I make a plan to shop that gives me the best productivity for my day.  Have a plan.  Make a plan.  In considering what’s a good deal or not, count the cost of travel and time.   The principle is: If Its Worthwhile, Go The Extra Mile.

c.  She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.  This woman is determined to get the most from her day.  A snippet on this topic from www.radiantlypurposed.blogspot.com says it like this: “She is not struggling to get out of bed at 8am or even at 11am.  She makes sure her family has food before they awake so that no one leaves home hungry.  She also organizes her day.” She is up on her feet, moving about early in the morning. She has a heart and mindset to greet the day first.  The only way she can get up before dawn and make all of this happen is that she had to plan this beforehand.  Nothing is left to chance.  Breakfast items have been accounted for the night before, clean dishes/utensils are available to serve the food on, and her day is ordered.  It doesn’t say in these passages, but I am sure she greeted God with a “Good Morning, LORD” instead of “Good Lord, it’s morning”.  Her attitude is what makes the loving difference in living out her deep commitment to her husband and her family (and her servant girls).  While I don’t have “servant girls”, I do have a stove, fridge, washer, dryer, iron and running water.  Just wanted to make that clear, lol.  The principle is: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Get clear about what you’re trying to do and make a workable plan to do it!

As you can clearly see, The (modern-day) Wise Woman Who Builds Her House is a woman to puts first things first.  Her ultimate desire is to reflect Christ in all she does. He leads the way.  She follows. Her family is well taken care of.  He is glorified.

+First Look: Which passage are you having difficulty wrapping your mind around?  Which passage is encouraging to you?  Why?

+Through The Looking Glass: How might Christ be reflected in your life in the areas mentioned in this post?

Please leave your comments below.  Also, visit www.radiantlypurposed.blogspot.com where some snippets were used for this post.