Proverbers 31 Wife Part 6: Preparing for the storms

She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.  She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
      -Proverbs 31:21-22 (NLT)

     So I am well aware that many of us don't make our own blankets.  I feel that what this verse is saying is that the Proverbs 31 wife planned ahead and had everything her family needed.  She stored up the basic needed of her family for when things were not always going good for them.  I also know we are instructed to not worry about tomorrow, but I fell like we are encouraged to be prepared.

     For the second part of this section, we are encouraged to dress for what we are doing.  If you are going out with your husband, dress up.  If you are playing with your children dress so you can play with them.  Dress with modesty and like you have some respect for yourself.  I also feel like this is talking about being clothed in God's Word.  A woman clothed in God's word is dressed, more beautiful than any star on the red carpet.

   

      There will be days were we don't feel like we are clothed in God's word.  That is when we need to ask, plead with God for the strength only He can give.  To be a woman of God we need to rely on God for all things.  

Until Next Time,

Pitters

Proverbs 31 Wife Part 5: Helping Those In Need

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
-Proverbs 31:20 (NIV)


     This one at times we can all turn a blind eye to.  We will be the first to help with collecting things for people that have lost everything to flood, fire, and other natural disasters.  I know I don't have an issue doing that.  But what about the veteran on the street corner, the single mom or dad that needs a helping hand, your neighbor who just needs to know they are welcome, or the other many countless people we see in need.  In need of prayer, food, clothing, love, and so much more.

     We are called not only as wives to help the needy and poor.  We are called first and for most as believers to help, even if it is just a cup of cold water. So what are some ways to help those we see in need?

     We have done Blessing bag before. We then have them in our car and pass them out to the homeless that are standing on the corner holding signs.  We took gallon size baggies and put things like toothbrush, tooth paste, granola bars, water bottles, tuna salad/chicken salad kits that don't need refrigeration, fruit cups, a bottle of water, socks, famine products, and a track.

     We have helped at a local shelter before, make meals, packaging Christmas gifts for families, and helped deliver Thanksgiving dinners to families in need.  We have packed boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  We have helped "adopt" families at Christmas time.  As well as other ways, I point of me telling you this is not to brag.  Our family in the past has been the recipients of some similar blessing.  My point is this, we can find ways in our communities to help those in need.  Even something as simple as a cup of cold water.

What else does the Bible say about helping those in need? Here are a couple verses:

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
-Matthew  5:42

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'LORD, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

-Matthew 25:35-40

I found over 100 verse on this subject and picked the two above.  You can look more up if you like.  I find looking up things to help me understand what God is saying to me on different topics.  I encourage you to do so also.

Until Next Time,

Pitters

Proverbs 31 Wife Part 4: Strong and Eager to Do Her Work

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. Proverbs 31:16-19 (NIV)

     Ok I know we are all not buying a field and planting a vineyard.  So how can this part help any of us?  If we look at the Message Bible Translation it says she plants a garden.  So I look at this in my life and think of when I looked over our back yard and decided where to put our family garden.  I budget in the spring for plants and seeds.  This helps me to be a good steward of our family food budget and the kids and I like to work in the garden.  Some years we have lots to harvest and other years things don't always go as planed.  Working hard at growing a garden can be time consuming and hard.  But the benefits for our family can be great.  Some who cant plant a big garden can maybe plant an indoor herb garden.  Let the Lord lead you in this area.

     So this next part verse 17 talks about setting about our work vigorously.  I don't know about you but house work is not my most favorite thing to do.  I have to work at being eager to do my daily tasks.  Some days are better than others.  In the Message translation it says: "First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started." (Proverbs 31:17 MSG)  I will be the first to admit I have days that I don't want to clean the living room again, or do the dishes for what seems like the 100th time that week.  That is not the best attitude I can have.  The Bible also tells us this.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters, - Colossians 3:23 May the favor of the LORD our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. - Psalm 90:17 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. -Proverbs 16:13 This is just a few verses about work in the Bible. In verse 18 the Message Translation says this. "She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day." -Proverbs 31:18 I take this as when you have a project that you are working on and you know how important it is to get done you will work long and hard on it. This could be making meals ahead of time for your family, or for another family. This could be getting plans ready for your child's extra curricular actives. It could be preparing a place for a house guest who will be staying for a few days. What ever it is that we as wives are working on it has great value to the Lord, if we are doing it for His glory and with the right attitude. So verse 19 is one that in most translations I get a little discouraged. I don't know how to spin yarn. So I looked once again to the Message Translation. "She's skilled in the crafts of the home and hearth, diligent in homemaking." -Proverbs 31:19 Ok this I can work with. This verse is saying that as a Proverbs 31 wife I should be working hard at honing my homemaking skills. What does that mean? Well to me this means I need to be making a plan for my jobs during the day. A schedule of some sort. I need to be menu planning for the week. I also feel that teaching my kids these skills helps me to hone them better. The best way to hone any skill is to keep doing the skill, even if it does not work the first time. Try it again and adjust as needed. Being skilled in homemaking, to also means to be hospitable to those in your home. Those that live with you and those that are guest. Find ways to make your home welcoming to all. The first person that your home should be welcoming to is your husband. Yes, I said it, I know it's his house too. Why should he feel "welcome"? Ok ladies hear it is, we as women can sometimes be cold to our husbands. We can make a home environment that he dreads coming home to. Remember we are to bring him good not harm all the days of our lives. Lets welcome our husbands home, when he get home from work or where ever he is coming home from. Here is my challange for all of you this week. How can you hone your homemaking skills this week? How can you make your husband feel welcome in his own home? Until Next Time, Pitters