proverbs31-woman.com

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

What wife doesn’t want to feel proud of her husband and support him in all that he does?  And perhaps that is why this verse is here.

But don’t forget that age old saying ‘behind every good man is a good woman’.  How many men struggle because their wives nag, or don’t pull their weight in the family or household, or because of other issues?  For the man to be happy out of home, he also needs to be happy in the home – there needs to be a balance.  For those men who spend more time out of the home and much longer hours in the office or at their workplace, there is the thought that perhaps there is something not quite right at home.  That is not always the case but there are lots of times when it is.

However, that is not an excuse and men/husbands have a responsibility before God whether or not they have a negative wife.

As a virtuous wife and a proverbs-31 woman, it is your duty to ensure that your home is welcoming when your husband comes home – particularly if you are in the household all day, or more hours than he is.   Today’s society doesn’t always allow for that to happen, but whenever possible, it is good for the wife to pave a welcoming path for her husband as he comes home from work.  Life is certainly more harmonious at home when the men feel that their wives are supportive of their roles in life and encouraging.  And they are more keen to get home sooner – even if work is demanding.  KMT

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

I believe these two verses are about planning ahead, being prepared. Most women I know are naturally good planners, foreseeing their family’s needs and preparing in advance for different things taking place throughout the year. In fact I find that they tend to plan more for their family and their home, but often forget themselves at times in that planning.

Do you find that? I do. Often I’ll organise everything that’s needed for around the home and for each member of the family and leave myself to last. If I don’t have a lot of time left that’s ok, I make do. But I always like to make sure that everyone is cared for, that they have what they need in advance, and that the house is well and truly organised in advance.

We have a wedding in the family coming up in a week’s time – our youngest daughter. And of course there’s been lots of planning involved in that. And there’s always the ‘fear’ that something will get forgotten! Thank goodness there are several of us involved in organising it, and not just one.

Planning means to prepare something on purpose, to have an end in mind. And for the Proverbs 31 woman in the verses above, she was planning for warmth and comfort to her family, both during the day and at night, when the winter came.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise you and thank you that you gave us the ability to plan and prepare ahead. We know that you have a plan for each and every one of us – we see the evidence of this as our lives move on. We seek your guidance in our daily lives and our daily planning, so that we can achieve the things that you would have us do. Help us to become better wives, mothers, sisters, daughters and Proverbs 31 women. Amen.

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

It’s no accident that a large number of volunteers in helps organisations are women – this is by design. By design of the fact that women tend to have a large streak of compassion within because of their mothering nature, but also because they are more likely to be at home, either part-time or full-time at some stage in their adult lives, they tend to ‘find the time’ to contribute to worthwhile causes. Often they go with children in tow, or perhaps whilst the kids are at school.

Even when the women retire, or are widowed, they tend to gravitate towards groups of volunteers, both for the social aspect as well as knowing that they are being useful and helping someone in some way.

In the verse above it shows the Proverbs 31 Woman to be a provider, someone who cares, supplies, supports, and has compassion. As women we need to be careful though, that we don’t allow our compassion override the needs of the family. Our family are very important and also need caring for. However, by our example, family members (children) can learn to also care for those in need – not just materially, but those who lack friends, those who are ill, those who are disabled, those who are shunned for whatever reason. Let our children also learn to have compassion for others and when they see a child being ostracized at school, to learn to reach out a hand, or speak up and be a friend. KMT

Prayer: Our most wonderful Father who has the greatest compassion of all. You have led us and shown by example the kind of compassion we should have through Your people in the Old and New Testaments and through your most precious gift, Your Son Jesus Christ. We pray you will show us when opportunities arise that we can exercise the very example given above by the Proverbs 31 Woman. Amen.

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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

In her day, the Proverbs 31 woman would have had chores that had to be done, irrespective of how she felt about them. And this would have included spinning and making fabric for her family’s needs. Some would have enjoyed doing this and others wouldn’t have. Guess it’s the same today. Some enjoy cooking and others don’t. Some enjoy knitting and sewing and others don’t. But we have more choices available to us as to whether or not we do those things, so probably don’t think of it in the same light.

I work at home and prefer to be in front of my computer but there was a time when I loved knitting and created many new items for my family members. When the girls were little I even sewed dresses and trousers for them. Those days are long past, but perhaps once I’m a grandmother, they might return. Depends :-). I keep telling my girls I’m not ready to be a grandmother yet but the eldest is almost 26 and has been married over 2 years. I know it won’t be much longer before she becomes a mother as she is always commenting on her friends’ babies.

Going back to doing the chores of the household – even that word ‘chores’ sounds a burden, doesn’t it? We should really feel blessed we can do those things, even if we don’t enjoy it. There are many who don’t have the use of their limbs, or have bodies that have restricted usage. It is a blessing to be able to look after our own homes and our own families but often we forget that. What do you do when you’re working around your home? Do you talk to our Lord and praise Him? Perhaps sing to Him or discuss things with Him? Having Him join you in your daily work around the house will lighten your load and allow you to enjoy the day more, and even the chores. Why not see those chores as a Proverbs 31 woman activity and perhaps you’ll appreciate what you can do a little more.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the giftings you have given us, and the abilities we have to provide for our families and for making a house a home. Please help us to bless others with our giftings, and in those areas we where have need, perhaps someone else may come along to bless us with their giftings. We thank you Father. Amen.

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