Wordful Wednesday: Proverbs 31: 27 "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."
We are to week 19 of our Proverbs 31 woman series and today's verse sums her up! She does not eat the bread of idleness! We have seen her diligence in every aspect of life - from caring for her husband, children, servants and even the poor. We've watched her rise early, stay up late, plant a vineyard, sew her own clothes, her family's clothing, the tapestries and beddings! And the cherry on top of all of this woman's work is excellence!
The Proverbs 31 woman knew that homemaking was her God given role and she OWNED it! She didn't idly sit by and let the clutter and laundry pile up! She was busy embracing her highcalling. She was busy managing her time, family and home well!
1. "She watches" - this means her eyes are fixed on her own family as her first priority. She's not watching what others are doing. She's not watching Oprah or the status updates on facebook. She's watching closely her home and the needs that are there.
2. What does she watch over? "the affairs (or ways)" What are your family's ways? What are their habits and routines? Are they healthy? Are they glorifying to God? Is everyone getting their rest, getting time in the Word of God, getting enough tender listening time, love and affection, enough exercise and healthy food? What are your family's ways? You shape the ways of the home by your influence.
3. Whose ways does she watch? "her household" Let me reiterate -she is thinking of her household first. She is not thinking about pleasing her boss, pleasing her mother-in-law, or meddling in other's business. She is focused on her household because she understands and embraces the powerful role she plays in the home.
And then the verse ends with a kicker! "She does not eat the bread of idleness". This statement is so powerful. The Proverbs 31 woman knows how to manage her time, family and home! As she resists idleness, she embraces her work and she serves her family.
I want to encourage you, do not grow idle in your mundane tasks. Manage your time, family and home well. Mundane tasks are the hidden treasure to creating a home that is a haven. Watch over the ways of your family. Embrace this hidden treasure as the Proverbs 31 woman did and you too will be blessed!
Walk with the King!
I am participating in Seven Clown Circus Wordful Wednesday and 5 Minutes for Mom Wordless Wednesday.
Awesome post! Now that I'm done reading it...I have things to take care of, so....logging off. (hahahaha)
ReplyDeleteGod knew that I needed to hear this today! I am falling into the trap of laziness and complacency! I will get moving today!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a new reader to your blog, but I have loved this series! I think I have read through most of the previous posts. They are always as convicting and encouraging as this one!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for allowing God to use you to bless so many women (and therefore their families!)
Liz
Great encouragement. I often remind myself, when I’m doing the mundane talks (laundry, dishes, cleaning)...that I’m making a home.
ReplyDeleteHolly
Kyiv
Thank you so much for this Post !! I NEEDED to here that this morning! I am a Stay at Home Mommy to 3 little precious ones and sometimes it gets hard to stay on task. I also do hair at home and that gets hard to fit everything in so I needed to be reminded that my family and home comes first before the other things. We are praying to give up a few things in order to give us some "room" in our budget will you pray with us that God directs us to what to give up! I need to be more diligent in my housework and not grow weary when things seem like the i'm just doing the same things over and over again! Thanks again for this great post!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Stacey
...aaaand now I think I'll get to that pile of laundry sitting beside me. Haha : ) Good post!
ReplyDeleteOK I will take that as a sign lol I love reading your post!
ReplyDeleteI think it's good to remember for whom we are doing these things (doing them for our families and doing them unto the Lord) - and not let them become an end in themselves or an obsession.
ReplyDelete"She's not watching Oprah or the status updates on facebook."
ReplyDeleteAHA HA HA!!!
Thank you for your practical hope-filled words in your Prov 31 posts. I am excited because I've been working on an Elizabeth George study of Prov 31 and I am just getting done with v. 26 and am almost caught up with your series. It's been fun and enlightening to work through the study and remember your insights from the blog. :)
I needed this today! I struggle with ildeness and needed this motivation!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post Courtney! Have a great day!!
ReplyDeleteCourtney,
ReplyDeleteI just love how you go about instructing us. You tell us what the Bible says, but at the same time, you are honest with us enough to make us feel like you aren't barking orders at us. I used to follow a blog that basically acted as if the author was holier than thou about what she posted and every time I would fail in an area, I felt like there was something wrong with me. I recently found your blog a month or so ago....I followed her's for a few years.
God has been working with me daily on getting each layer of bondage off of me just from this woman's blog!
When it comes to cleaning...I have started Flylady again, after praying to God about how much I hate cleaning. Well I woke up this morning looking forward to doing laundry..."a load a day keeps the chaos away" as the Flylady says lol!!
You are such an encourager! I thank God for your blog!!!
Thank you for posting this! Easy to get caught up with others things, but definitely need to keep my nose to the grind.
ReplyDeleteThank you for such encouraging words. I'm a working mom so I REALLY have to organize my time well so that my household runs smoothly. The time that I do get to spend in my home with my family means so much to me bc I have to spend so much time away from it! Although it makes me sad sometimes, I know that God has a plan for me and I'm right where He wants me! Since I am new to your blog, I am going to have to go back and read your series on Proverbs 31! Great post!
ReplyDeleteMany of my friends does work and they don't understand what's my job!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy job is to take care of my family, pray god and nothing else.
Thanks for sharing this words with us.
God bless you all.
Kisses from France
Great post Courtney! http://ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2010/05/wordless-wednesday.html
ReplyDeletePS: I'm just LOVING my Good Morning Group of Gals! To think, we all live 1/2 hour from one another, and we met on YOUR blog! You are a blessing!
Traci
Thank you for this Courtney. I really needed this...Let's pray for a clean house today!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great post. I've really enjoyed this entire series. Your insights and the pictures you have added to each post bring these familiar scriptures new life and remind us that each one of these attributes and qualities are timeless. You have given modern day examples to let us see how we can walk out these scriptures in everyday life --the living word!! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteOh Courtney! This post resembles me! My picture should be posted on the womans shoulder in that cartoon!
ReplyDeleteThank God for speaking through you to reinforce this for those like me who really need to get off our bottoms and get our priorities straight!
Hi Courtney,
ReplyDeleteYour blog has been inspiring me for some time now but this one hit the nail on the head!
I generally believe this statement is true:
"The appearance of your home doesn't lie."
However, as a homeschooling mom of 7, I also have to remember that MY home will not look like other people's who have only 2 or 3 kids and those kids go to school all day!
I have to be careful not to compare myself. Most people do not have 3 to 4 loads of laundry every day! And if I have been especially busy a few days, sometimes it may look a little messier than I wish it to...and to someone from the outside who is not used to a big family, the appearance may not be telling them what they really think it's telling them:)
I do love that statement though. I know when my homes appearance is telling me that I've been too idle though.
Excellent post:)
thank you for this MUCH-needed word!!
ReplyDeletetime to get off of here!! :)
~Jenna
I have really been convicted since learning about your blog! I have been very complacent, and lazy...I have 3 very young children and have used the excuses too long. I started on Mon. taking control. First thing in the morning I turn the computer completely off until after the kids are down for their naps. I am teaching the kids how to clean, in the mean time my house is getting much more organized. We are also having a Bible story time and I am feeling much more complete.
ReplyDeleteI am thanking God that he brought such a wonderful example to me! Thank you for your wonderful testimony!
I need to hear this everyday, Courtney!:) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at the truth of that cartoon! The Lord gave me a victory over the lure of the computer this morning.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your words of encouragement.
wow, that one hit home. I am convicted. thanks for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and must say I've been feeling pretty convicted in this area lately. I've been spending way too much time doing "nothing" while my kids nap.
ReplyDeleteSecond great reminder I've gotten through my blog reader this evening.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post!
ReplyDeleteMore on this subject please : ) I need it. We all need it.
ReplyDeleteI love Jesus,
virginia