I'm not generally much of a blogger, much of a journaler, much of a writer, much of a lay my life out there for people to read, comment, judge, etc. I'm not full of wisdom (though I pray to exercise wisdom often), I won't have deep insightful thoughts that get 1,000,000 shares of Facebook, but I do have a story.
I am a child of God. I am a wife. I am a mother, a daughter, a friend. I have hopes, struggles, fears, joys, frustrations.
Today I am missing fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I really, truly, miss that. BUT I am getting wonderful "snuggles" from my sweet sick daughter who wants to be completely in my lap such that it's difficult to type, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
So maybe I'm not much of a writer, but obviously I can ramble. The name of the blog, "proverbs 31". Most people recognize that as the virtuous woman. So why would I pick this as my blog name? For a long time I have read but not truly absorbed the power of this passage. I would read it and think, "okay, yes I know be a good wife, love my husband, etc etc".
Recently I have been reading the book "the power of a praying wife" by Stormie Omartian and it has brought such a deeper meaning to this passage for me, giving me the desire to strive towards becoming the virtuous woman.
Vs10 "An excellent wife who can find? She is worth far more than jewels"
So being an excellent wife seems like pretty high expectations, but to be worth more than jewels? Jewels, which are treasured, have great value, that we want to protect. When put into that context it makes me want to desire to strive to be not just good, but excellent
Vs 11 "the heart of her husband trusts in her"
Just because you have the title of spouse doesn't automatically mean my husband with trust me with all the deepest longings of tasks heart. I must value his heart and will gain that trust through "doing good and not harm ALL the days of my life" (vs12)
"She seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands" vs 13
I must help with my families provision and must be willing to help provide, work, CLEAN?? This is definitely not always easy for me.
"She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household"
Ouch! See above... I get up between 4-5am 5 days a week to go to work but this is still a struggle for me daily.
"Her lamp does not go out at night"
So after I've been up since 4, worked, come home, made dinner, taken care of my husband, wife, dog, and everyone is winding down I get to just plop on the couch and do nothing right? Have I mentioned I struggle with some of these??
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue" vs 26
The more I read, the more this pricks my heart.
Vs 29-31 "many woman have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears The Lord is to praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."
I am a work in progress. My prayers are to work towards becoming more virtuous day by day, not only to bring hope, joy and peace to my household but also to hear the my savior say "well done my good and faithful servant"
