Day 21 – The Proverbs 31 Wife
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. (Prov. 31:27)
It’s not rocket science. The Proverbs 31 wife’s home did not look like a disaster area. If it did, there is something wrong, not only in her priorities but in her spiritual life. She is eating the bread of idleness. Satan has distracted her from her responsibilities and she is focused on other tasks. Important as those tasks may be, her priorities are to be a helpmeet to her husband, care for her children and her home.
The Proverbs wife did not have the distractions that women have today. Today’s woman has distractions like the television, phone, and foremost the computer, just to name a few. Yes, she may be on the phone trying to arrange a church meeting, but did that conversation take priority over her housework? Yes, she may be watching a great preacher on television, but did that take priority over her housework? Yes, she may be doing research on-line for new hymnals for the church, but did that take priority over her housework? Ouch! Having a healthy body and working out at the gym is good but is her home suffering?
Paul gave a list for the older Christian women to teach the younger women in
Titus 2:4-5, That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,(4) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (5)
Notice that there is not a task here that involves things outside the home. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t involve ourselves with things outside the home. What I am saying is that we need to complete our tasks in the home first or we are outside of God’s will. God’s Word is blasphemed when the wife strays away from her God appointed role as a keeper of the home.
It is wonderful when a woman can be a stay-at-home wife and mother. There is enough work at home in caring for and raising children, and keeping up with a house. The Proverbs wife was not idle and neither should today’s wife and mother. Unfortunately, there are way too many women who do not take their role as a stay-at-home wife and mother seriously. They are quick to put other things ahead of their day-to-day chores. They find their chores as boring. When a woman dwells on these thoughts, her chores will be boring. It’s all in how your view your life. Rather than look at your life as God’s blessings upon you and His will for you, you look at your life in comparison to the woman next door who is a lawyer. This negative thinking will take your mind off what God wants for you. You will quickly lose sight of your blessings and become a bitter woman in the end. You can change your way of thinking.
I challenge every woman to document the times she is on the computer. You would be amazed at what a time waster it can be. The Proverbs 31 wife should make her time on the computer the very last thing on her list of things to do for the day. Her children should be cared for and her house cleaned before even sitting down in front of it. The television is just as bad. It, too, is a tremendous time waster. Sadly, many use it as a babysitter also. No wonder many children suffer from being over weight or are hyper. They do not spend the countless hours outside playing as we did growing up. Instead, they are amused with television, videos and video games – all of these involve no physical activity whatsoever. Granted, there are some good educational shows and videos out there but this should be used for rainy days and not made a normal part of their day.
God has given you His Son Who has saved you from eternity in hell. He’s given you a wonderful husband who loves you. The Lord has given you children to care for. This wonderful husband has provided you with a roof over your head. Are you grateful? Gratefulness is shown through action, not idleness. Be grateful for your salvation by loving the Lord and placing Him first. Be grateful for your husband’s love by making sure his needs are met and being the helpmeet God wants you to be. Be grateful by seeing that your children are raised properly and cared for, and that the home he is working hard to build is kept. Your home should be a haven of rest for your family, not one of chaos and clutter.
Here are a couple of quotes I came across that I thought would bless you.
I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home…. I am thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby. ~Nancie J. Carmody
Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband has walked across it in his barn boots. ~Hoosier Farmer
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