Proverbs 31:13

Week 4
"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands" Proverbs 31:13

Ok, so I have no idea how to select wool or even know what flax is...But I do understand the other part of this verse. I think in application of today's society, the first part may be a little dated when comparing to our lives. I feel that whatever everyday chores we do we should do with eager hands and an eager heart. 

Do I actually get eager to get home from work to wash clothes, cook supper, and straighten up the house? No I wouldn't use eager as the adjective I have in mind. :) But we should be eager to perform those tasks that wives and mothers are expected to do with a happy heart. I think that is something that a lot of ladies probably relate to. We do all these things, sometimes grumbling to ourselves or aloud to others. Wondering to ourselves what the point of the chores are because it is simply going to get messed up again.This is not the attitude we should have. We should be eager to make the house clean and orderly for our family to show our love and respect for the home that we've created together. 

We should also be eager to do these things because God trusted women with the role of housekeeper. Once again I think of The Invisible Woman video clip I posted earlier. Others may not see and appreciate what we do, but God does. He appreciates all the things we do in love for others.

Colossians 3:23 ESV

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 

1 Timothy 5:14 ESV

So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.

When I put off housework, it takes forever to get things organized and clean again. Since I started this Proverbs 31 Journey, I have vowed to myself to keep a neat and orderly home to show my family my love for them. I cleaned really good before we had the whole family over after church a few weeks ago. Since then, I have done a few things every afternoon to keep the house clean and in order. I make sure before I go to bed that there are no dishes in the sink or laundry waiting to be washed. Then one day I swept, one day I dusted, one day I moped the floor, etc. This is so I don't have so much pile up at one time, nor do I overwhelm myself with a lot of chores at one time. When that happens, I know I don't have an eager heart to clean. But as long as I stay on top of things, I have a real happiness in my heart knowing the house is clean and presentable if we had guests to drop by.

Titus 2:5 ESV

To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Since I have been caught up with my housework, I have actually had more "me" time. Instead of staying busy washing, cleaning, etc. I have more time to read, relax, and reflect (my new favorite hobbies). I have really been enjoying my Nook Color. I keep a book open on there all the time as well as the Message Bible app I downloaded. For church and studies, I use the NIV version, but in trying to read the Bible through, I have found the Message Bible flows more like a book and I find it easier to understand. I am still in Genesis, but plan on reading through the entire Bible. I have no idea how long it will take, but we shall see.

Proverbs 31:12

 Week 3

"She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:12

She brings him good, not harm. I know sometimes I probably hurt my husband's feelings at some point. Am I bringing him good when I hurt his feelings? No. Is it possible to bring anyone good every day of your life??? Does that mean we won't have a bad day every now and then? No...I believe it means that consciously I need to try every day to bring joy to my husband. Make him feel good. We all need "boosters" for our self-esteem. We should be constantly building each other up!

Not only should I bring him joy, but make sure my words and actions portray the joy he brings to me. This means not talking bad to him, tearing him down and not talking about him to others tearing down his reputation. This goes back to vs. 11. He should have full confidence that I will bring  honor to him.  Not to say I don't get frustrated at times when he forgets to take out the garbage, or tracks mud onto the floor I just swept. But those are little things. " Don't sweat the small stuff!" Be thankful for every day you have with your spouse and try to bring them joy. It will bring joy to you to see the one you love happy.

Big picture- Build him up so he knows how much I value him as a friend, husband, provider, and father. I don't think I tell him in words enough how much I appreciate him. This I need to work on.

I tend to show my appreciation more than thanking him by verbally telling him:

Maybe it would be in the form of making his favorite meal, or buying him a little happy, leaving him a love note, sending him an unexpected sincere text to make him smile, sharing a private joke with him, finding time in our busy schedules to have some intimacy at a random time during the day, offering to rub his back when he gets home from work, doing a chore around the house that he normally does, giving him a free night to spend with his buddies, or maybe it's as small as laying out his clothes for him if he's running late.
But just like we tend to overuse "I love you", It probably wouldn't hurt to overuse "Thank you for everything you do to love, provide, and support our family"

I feel like one of the most important things in keeping your marriage "alive" is bringing each other joy. I feel like I have the heart of a servant. I used to waitress we first got married. I really enjoyed it! I liked making sure my customers needs were met. This made them happy and in return made me happy. I actually really enjoy fixing my husband and son a plate when supper is ready and delivering it to the table or living room. Making other people happy brings me joy.

Mark 10:45
"For even the son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many"

This week I am praying for God to help me always bring good not harm to my husband, family, and friends. Help the words that come out of my mouth bring only good and build others up. Help me to steer clear of idle gossip. This helps no one!!

 Proverbs 16:28

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

 Proverbs 11:13

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.