Proverbs 31 Woman Part 10: Not Eating the Bread of Idleness

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
-Proverbs 31:27

     Ok so this one I can be really bad at.  I do good about watching over the affairs of my household.  But I am very good at eating the bread of idleness, which is bad.  The way I do that is by being on social media, watching TV shows, movies, playing games, and other things.

     One way I find that helps me is to have a schedule.  Not a overly strict schedule, because we also need to be flexible.  I also homeschool so I needed to learn to be flexible.  We do school mostly at home, but we have had days were we needed to be out o the house all day.  We have taken our school work with us.  Someone forgets to do or finish their laundry and delays everyone else in doing theirs.  One of the kids are sick or I am sick and the house is not a clean as I would like it to be.  Life throws us curve balls at times, but we can have help dodging them or catching them depending on what they are.  Knowing that God has my back is a great comfort.

     A good rule of thumb is to get your work done and then do the fun things.  A good way to get things done is a chore chart, list, assignments for your kids, if they are of an age that they can help. Yes your 2 year old can help you with "chores".  I had my kids at that age help pick up toys, put their clothes in their hamper, and put their sippy cup in the sink.  This helps teach them to take care of their things.  As your kids get older you add more responsibilities.  I now have an almost 11 year old, a 14 year old, 16 year old and over the summer my 19 year old is back from college.  They all do their own laundry, help with dishes, mow the lawn, clean their own rooms, and help with other various things. You might ask how much do you give your kids in allowance.  Here is the kicker, we give them $0, yes you read that right.  They get no allowance.  They are members of our family and have shared responsibility in the up keep of their things and our home. This is what has worked for our family.  I do know this, my 19 year old had one of the cleanest dorms on campus, he knew how to do the cleaning he needed in his shared bathroom, his own laundry, and cleaning his bedroom and the common area.  His college has dorm rooms with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a common living area.  Sorry for the rabbit hole. I guess my point for it was that I am teaching my children to not eat the bread of idleness, but still have fun.  To watch over their belongings and the living area, to take care of all of it.

     Some may ask well what do you do, well let me tell you I still do most of the household work.  That is my job as wife and mother. To care for my family is my God given privilege.  I am truly blessed to have the role I have in my family.  I don't always feel that way in the tough moments, but I try and remind myself often.

     So my challenge for you is to work on a ruff schedule that works for your family.  If you have kids have them do chores, if they are not already, and they are old enough.

Until Next Time,
Pitters

Proverbs 31 Wife Part 9: Speaking With Wisom

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
-Proverbs 31:26

     Our biggest calling as a wife and mother is to speak God's truth to our families.  Our children are our first line disciples.  What I mean by this is, our children are a captive audience.  We should be ministering to them first and for most.  It is not bad to be ministering to other women, there is a time for that.  God has given us warriors for his kingdom,  we need to be content in this job.  Our lives should be a living testimony to our family, friends and other around us.

     How can we speak with wisdom and have faithful instruction be on our tongue?  First we need to be seeking God's truth, his words, and instruction.  This happens when we are in the word daily, when we are praying during the day, having His word on our hearts.  In the past when my kids were really little I had truth packs.  I first heard about these from a pastors wife at one of our church conferences. At the time my kids were 3 or 4th grade and younger.  What are truth packs?  They are bound index cards,  that you right verses on.  They are usually sectioned by topic.  So you might have one about anxiety, about parenthood, about who you are as a child of God. Being in the word of God daily is the key.

     I also like journaling what I am reading in the Bible.  I like to also write prayer request in my journal.  I also try and take notes at church during the sermon and that goes in my journal as well.  Our church has small groups (a group of people the are basically in the same stage of life), home groups (so this is a group of people in different stages of like), we also have a once a month during the school year Women Connecting With Women, we also have a mom's time once a month and also a Women's Bible Study once or twice a month.  My point in telling you all this is that as wives and moms we need to look for opportunities to be with other believers so we can learn from each other.  I have learned for other women in our church, how to speak with God's wisdom.

     So my challenge for you ladies is this.  Read you Bible every day for 30 days, make a truth pack for some area in your life that you would like quick verse references for, and finally find a women's group or Bible study at your church and attend it.

Until Next Time,
Pitters

Proverbs 31 Wife Part 8: Using Our God Given Talents for His Glory

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

-Proverbs 31:24-25


     In these verses I feel God is telling us to use the talents that he has given us.  To use them for his glory.  To take care of our families and those that God calls us to help.  I know that not all of us will make things that can be sold.  Your talent might be hospitality, then use that to  host play dates, Bible Studies, study groups, book clubs, and any other social activity.  You can also use your gift of hospitality to help in your church for refreshments,  or a host of many other things.  If you have a gift of teaching or shepherding then teach Sunday school, lead a Bible Study, or pray group.  

     Look into the other Spiritual Gifts and see what your might be if you don't already.  There are many test you can do online to discover your spiritual gifts.  Ask your pastor or small group leader to see if your church has one they like or have used.  God has given his followers spiritual gits for His glory, it is our "job" to use them.  Here are three verse about spiritual gifts.


We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.  if your gift is prophesying then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving than serve; if it is teaching than teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving than give generously; if it is lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully,
-Romans 12:6-8

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  here are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy,  to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
-1 Corinthians 12:4-11

And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
-1 Corinthians 12:28

So here is my challenge how can you use your Spiritual Gifts this week?

Until Next Time,
Pitters

Proverbs 31 Wife Part 7: Speaking Highly of Your Husband

 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
-Proverbs 31:23

     As a wife one of the worst things that she can do is bash her husbands reputation.  Many women don't even realize that they are doing it.  You feel that you are just getting your frustrations off your chest.  It will not hurt anyone if I just let my best friend know how much my husband irritated me, the other night.  Your words have a huge impact on how others think of your husband.  I your husband upsets you, you need to calm down and then talk to him.  You could talk with God about it.  You can and should pray about what he may have said that upset you.  I am in no way saying you need to hide abuse if that is the issue than you need to seek help ASAP.  You are your husbands help-met, your words have the power to left him up or tare him down.  Be careful of what words you speak about your husband.  Take care of your husbands reputation.  We are not going to be perfect all the time, but try your best.  Ask God to help you in this area.  Have a prayer or accountability partner to keep you accountable.

Until Next Time,
Pitters