Being A Proverbs 31 Woman Verse 17

I’m not sure about you, but I don’t always have a lot of energy. I don’t usually go about my daily tasks with a lot of energy. I would imagine if I did I’d get a lot more done. Typically I drag myself through any daily tasks that need to get done. Of course, that’s when I get around to them.

Today’s verse, in my Transformation Study Bible says,

“She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.”

Ok, I’ll be honest here. I’m not a fan of household chores. I would rather be outside mucking out a barn stall, pulling weeds in my garden or mowing the lawn. Vacuuming, dusting, dishes, laundry etc. aren’t at the top of my “exciting” list. In fact, just the opposite. I tend to put them off as long as possible. I know, not ideal, and not very beneficial to my family.

I have a ton of room for growth in the area of going about my tasks with energy.

Now, you can see the difference in the wording of the verses, but also similar. She works vigorously or energetically. Can you picture in your mind, what it looks like to work that way in your tasks?

I think again, we go back to where our heart is. Are you like me and go about your tasks with the attitude of, “ugh. just get it done, Mimi. it really won’t kill you…maybe.”

Imagine, well, I’m imagining, what it would be like if I had a different mindset, a different heart attitude towards the work I do around my home. What if I went about it saying, “Thank you Lord that I have dishes to wash, that became dirty with the food I was able to provide them. Let me remember that by doing this task, I bring you honor and bless my family.”

Yes, I know that’s easier said that done. Hello, I’m 44 yrs old and I know I’ve had this conversation with myself before. When it goes from our head to our heart, that’s when the change begins to happen.

We also see that the Proverbs 31 woman is a strong woman. She sees her work and is able to do it. We, as women, come in all different shapes and sizes. Physically sometimes we can only do so much. What I think we need to do is know what we CAN do. God isn’t going to call us to something that’s not physically possible. He simply wants us to be a hard worker. I think we can all accomplish that!

What is ONE thing around your house that you can change your outlook about?

Being A Proverbs 31 Woman Verse 16

I know that as I go through these verses, several could be lumped together, but in my stubbornness, I’ve decided to still do them one by one. Even when they make me wonder how in the world I’m going to make a blog post out of the verse.

One thing I don’t want to do with scripture is make it more than what God is presenting it as. This next verse definitely goes along with the previous 3 verses. The proverbs 31 woman is always taking care of things. She’s always keeping busy.

A year ago I started planning a move from Virginia to Maryland. Being 2 hours away from Fred wasn’t conducive to building a relationship with him. That meant in the month of August I was going back and forth (four hours round trip) looking at housing options in the area. I made that trip so much it was overwhelming. I should’ve actually listened to Fred and his suggestion to begin with and I would’ve saved time and money.

What finally worked out was getting the house Fred had been living in; his original suggestion. God’s timing is so amazing. Fred had bought a house that had him moving out the weekend before I was able to move into the rental. It worked for what my needs were and it was in my budget. In essence, I “considered the field” of homes available to me and chose the one that fit best into my finances, and what was clearly ordained by God with the timing and all of the other little details.

Out of my earnings, I haven’t planted a vineyard this year, but did plant the beginnings of a beautiful floral garden at Fred’s house. We already saw a hummingbird at one of the bee balms I planted. I hope to plant more flowers for fall and have more blooming next spring. The garden (vineyard) is my happy place!

At our house in Minnesota, I had a large vegetable and fruit garden. I loved having zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and raspberries. That vineyard saved me money in the long run. I don’t know that I’ll be able to have a vegetable garden at Fred’s house. That’s something in the “wait and see” mode.

Now, you may not have a green thumb, and you may not need to find any real estate, but I think it’s important to take care of the real estate you live in. No, my house isn’t the tidiest of homes, but it’s in good condition. I talk to the landlord if something needs to be fixed or I try to fix it myself. I also try to keep bills down to a minimum.

You also may not be able to plant a vineyard because you have no room or you simply have a black thumb and kill anything you come into contact with. In our society it’s not necessary to do that any more. Not like they did back then. If you’ve never even tried, maybe give it a go this spring/summer. Some things are too late to plant from seed, but you could always plant something that’s been started at a local landscaping store. If you’re in an apartment or a rental, you can grow vegetables in large pots. Any garden center will be able to help you get started. It’s also so relaxing and enjoyable!

How do you spend your earnings? Do you use wisdom with those earnings?

Being A Proverbs 31 Woman Verse 15

I. Am. Not. A. Morning. Person.

I never have been, never will be. I burn the midnight oil and wake up when it’s time to get the kids off to school. Not a minute sooner. I try to go back to sleep, in fact, in between waking up my boys. It doesn’t always work, and I typically sit there with my brain already hard at it.

Now granted, I typically only get about 6 1/2 hours of sleep every night, if I go to bed at midnight. So, I’ll never be the early bird catching any worms.

That all being said, today’s scripture shows us that a Proverbs 31 woman doesn’t spend her time being idle. I’m not saying she doesn’t rest, I’m saying it tells us she is productive and uses her time well. Oh to be that woman! I have no doubt she didn’t live with ADD!

I actually like how it reads in my Transformation Study Bible. I know, you’ve heard that before:

“She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.” Proverbs 31:15

I’m not a breakfast maker. I’d love to aspire to be that woman, but there are a few problems with that scenario. First, Fred’s breakfast, by choice, is a Hershey chocolate bar and a Coke or a Swiss Cake Roll and a Coke or a donut and a Coke. Don’t blame me, this started long ago before I knew him. But, my boys’ breakfast isn’t much more stellar. I do get up and get them their milk and Pop Tart (ugh, yes, I just admitted that), and get their lunches ready for school. I make sure they’re ready to go and then send them off to catch their bus.

So, needless to say, none of us is big on breakfast. When I finally get around to eating, it’s just a bowl of cereal. If I made a full blown breakfast, I don’t think any of us would move for days…or even know what to do with it all.

And we don’t have servant girls any more, so that doesn’t apply to us, but it shows us that the Proverbs 31 woman provides for those around her. She makes sure people around her are kept busy and that they have what they need. It shows me that she’s thoughtful, not just of her own family, but of others.

Being in a relationship with Fred means I need to be more conscious of others. He is looking to go into the ministry and as such, I have to have a perspective of looking out at what others need. This is an area of growth that I need. I definitely have a heart for others, especially those who are in need. I just need to learn how I can bless Fred and his ministry(ies) as well as God.

In all of the Proverbs 31 woman’s acts, she blessed and honored her husband, her family, and most of all God! That’s what is so vital. Does God receive the glory? Would the servant girls be able to look at this woman and see the face of God through her? Same with her family. Would they see Christ in the life of their mom and wife?

What about yours? Would your family and others say they see Christ in you?

Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Verse 14

Becoming a wife and a mom doesn’t come with an instruction manual. Some women are skilled in the home, specifically the kitchen, others can muster up a recipe or two, and yet others burn water. I would have to say I’m in the middle. I can cook, but I’m no chef. If I have a recipe, I’m good to go.

My dad likes what he calls, Mama Mimi’s Lasagna. It’s lasagna, plain and simple. Nothing to write home about, but for my dad to give my food a name, that’s saying something! He also mentioned recently that never in his wildest dreams did he ever see me as Susie Homemaker. lol He said it with the sound of being impressed.

I like being home. I loved being a stay at home mom. I do enjoy cooking meals when I have the opportunity. My boys and I are super simple when it comes to dinner and I’m usually not sure what we’re going to eat up until the moment I’m making it.

Today, our verse takes us on a ship to far off lands…just for food!

Now granted, we can get into our SUV, Crossover, or Minivan and run to the grocery store or farmers market to get the food we need at any time of day. Back in the day, not so much. Can you imagine “grocery shopping” in biblical times? Nothing close to what we have now.

Regardless of how we get our food or what time of day it is, does our food, our meals bless our families? Does it nourish them? I’ll be the first to raise my hand and say that mac & cheese or hot dogs and fries are a staple on our fine dining menu at our house.

I know not every woman has the skill for cooking, but, where is your heart? Is your husband the cook? Let me tell you what, Fred…he’s amazing! That man can grill pretty much anything! He can also make delicious stuffed shells and his asparagus is to die for. Last night he made a fantastic lasagna. No, I’m not ready to call it Papa Fred’s Lasagna! pffffftht

If your husband’s the cook, do you get the groceries? If he makes a list of what he wants and needs, will you go out and get them? You don’t know which brand to get, which size, or how much? Ask. Have him go with you a few times so you can write down the brands. Maybe there are some products he’s fine getting a store brand whereas with others he likes a specific brand.

Maybe throwing together a 4 course meal isn’t your cup of tea. What about baking? I love to bake and I’m not half bad at it. I don’t get the opportunity to do much of it because the boys and I always have so much left over.

Take some cooking classes! There are so many ways to do that: community education, local colleges, William Sonoma, and so on. You can even take them as a couple. Hello date night! There are so many ways to learn!

If you have a desire by bringing them food, whether you’re on some merchant ship or the groceries are in the trunk of your vehicle, then follow through. Find a way to bless them. Do they have special treats that you can surprise them with on occasion? There are various ways you can bless your family in this area. Take some time to think about how you can do that.

If you could learn to make one meal, what would it be?

Being A Proverbs 31 Woman Verse 13

Now we’re moving into the part of being a Proverbs 31 woman where I think some women may bristle. I don’t get a bee in my bonnet reading these next set of verses, but I know I fall short of them. I think because of my ADD, I get very distracted and do other things that the things I should be doing.

Verse 13 talks about our work as women. Unfortunately, there has long been a battle between women who stay at home and those who go outside the home to work. I’m certainly not going to feed into that because both are very commendable things.

What we can see from this scripture is that she isn’t afraid of work. She keeps busy. That means in various ways she takes care of her family. She either provides for them by doing work around the house or working outside of the home.

God has designed us to have a huge part in our homes whether we have children or if it’s just you and your husband. He wants us to give of our time and our energy to our family. What we bring to the table, with eager hands blesses our loved ones.

This whole part of scripture shows me how much a Proverbs 31 looks outside of herself. There is a selflessness to how she lives her life. She constantly thinking of serving her Lord and her family.

I can’t be characterized as that woman. Not in the slightest. I DO work, but from home. I was a stay at home mom for 15 beautiful years. I’m doing a job now I enjoy tremendously. But again, I believe there is a heart matter at work here. How do we go about our work? Do we work with eager hands to give glory back to the Lord in what we do? Do we work knowing we’re blessing our family?

I’m thinking the Proverbs 31 woman didn’t just randomly or haphazardly grab wool and flax. I have no doubt she took her time, diligently doing the best work she could. That’s what we’re called to as well. God will grow us in this, if we allow him.

Do you do your work with eager hands, wanting to bless your husband?