Proverbs woman, flip flops and all…
Are you a Proverbs 31 woman? I am trying to be yet it’s a challenge, every day. I have to ask for God’s help because I just don’t have that innate burning desire. It doesn’t come naturally to me.
I used to scoff at the idea of being a Proverbs woman because it was unattainable in my mind, but then God reminded me of his calling in Proverbs 31. He’s talking to all of us sisters, married and unmarried alike. We are called to care for our homes.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
I used to read verse 27 and feel good because I wasn’t “idle.” I was on the go! Always doing something. Working up at school, having lunch with my friends, making countless craft projects with my son! I did read a lot of books though. Hours and hours spent reading and now that I look back, I really made those things a priority over keeping my home.
Was my home clean? Sure, but it wasn’t managed properly. I didn’t delegate well. I tried to do everything but I was inefficient at best. It was clean on the surface, but I never felt good about people dropping in unannounced. If someone came over I would be embarrassed and would worry. I don’t want to be that way anymore. I want to be at a place where my family is cared for, my home is managed and I can open my doors to anyone, day or night. I want my home to reflect my love of God and for it to be impossible for any visitor to avoid discerning that I am a Proverbs woman, flip flops and all.
I’d like to share a quote by Elizabeth George “Oh, my dear sister and friend, we must pray for our eyes to see the vision God has for our precious home and for our hearts to understand how important what happens in our home is to Him. May our goal be that our houses be made into homes that show forth God’s desires for the beauty and purpose of those structures.”
She gives us three tips to place ourselves before God so He can grow in us hearts that effectively watch over our precious homes:
1. Understand that this role as helper and guard is God’s plan for you (Proverbs 31:27)
2. Begin watching over your home–ask yourself if you are watching or just glancing over your home. I was glancing!
3. Eliminate idleness which involves: procrastination, inadequate personal planning and scheduling, interruptions by people without appointments by way of telephone, failure to delegate, poor use of the telephone (or email!), reading junk mail, lack of concern for time management, and last but certainly not least…unclear priorities.
Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Let us be of noble character and ask God to fill us with a desire to care for our homes!
*NIV
Terri, now I can say “ouch” to someone’s post! 🙂 Proverbs 31 is such a wonderful passage on biblical womanhood and the Pro 31 woman is who we should all strive to be. I’m where you are with respect to housework & the domestic things…it just doesn’t come natural to me. I always like to say though that I am doing some aspects right like the Proverbs 31 woman — I bring home food from “afar”. Does it matter that food may be takeout? 🙂 Thanks for sharing your heart.
Great devotion! Thanks for the reminder, it was just the motivation that I needed today!
Deedra
Ouch! I’ve been glancing instead of watching…
blessings
Terri,
What a great post. Becoming the woman God desires does seem overwhelming, but I see it as a journey. It will take me a life time to get it right.
These are great reminders. Thank you. L
Wonderful post, thanks for sharing.
Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing. What book did the Elisabeth George quote come from? I think I need to add that to my stack of reading material!
This was a great post Terri. There are so many ideas in it that I can apply to my own life and home. I think sometimes we forget what a high calling we have as keepers of the home. This was a beautiful reminder – thanks!!
You know, I really have a hard time being the perfect Proverbs 31 woman, but then again, when I fall short – He will make up for it.
Yes, I think I can grow in some areas in my home caring 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Terri. Blessings to you and yours.
Great post Terri. Thanks for sharing and your great insight. Blessings to you.
In his endless love,
Angel ( Angel Mama)
I’m changing my flip flops for steel toed boots…and i’m going to wash dishes :))
Thanks for this Terri…awesome!
Lisa