Shop to the Glory of God

Word Filled Wednesday: Proverbs 31:14 "She is like the merchant ships bringing her food from afar."

Today is week six of our Proverbs 31 series. What an amazing woman she is! She is a treasure to her husband because she is fully trustworthy, a woman of action and she works hard with eager hands. In verse 14 we see a new character trait. She takes her shopping seriously! This is my kind of girl!

In verse 14, the Proverbs 31 woman is compared to a merchant ship. What was a merchant ship? It was a ship that brought in all different kinds of cargo to the port. It would have included dyes, fabrics, spices, oils, foods and pottery.

The Proverbs 31 woman did not have a refrigerator so she would have had to travel to the market daily and sometimes she would have to go a long way to get all of the things she needed for the day. She was willing to go the distance because of her love and care for her husband and children.

If someone was describing your style of shopping how would they describe you? Are you like a merchant ship? Are you willing to go to great heights to find the best, most cost effective and healthiest ingredients for your family? Do you work hard at your shopping? Are you more into convenience foods that are fast or are you willing to cook from scratch? Do you take special care to get a good price on your goods or do you stop at the nearest corner store and just get something quick?

Let me say for the record - shopping is hard work (especially with little ones in tow). I know how much planning, time and energy goes into it. If we are going to be like the Proverbs 31 woman we are going to have to be willing to turn mundane shopping into a creative expression of love for our families.

The questions I asked above are questions I am asking myself. I shop at Aldi bi-weekly to save money, I shop the ads and shop clearance racks first when I'm looking for clothes. But I am not the best at couponing - that takes some extra organization. I cook nearly every meal in the home but rarely completely from scratch. Most of my Tasty Tuesday recipes are simple. I have a couple close friends who cook from scratch - from homemade bread to homemade sauces, salad dressings, and desserts. I admire their willingness to work hard in the kitchen.

Feeding our family fulfills a basic need. It's necessary. Are we doing it to the glory of God? Or are we too tired to cook the family a good meal? If we are - our priorities are not in order. This is a basic need our family has. Strive to excel in it! And shop to the glory of God!

Walk with the King!