"She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day." (15)
"First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started." (17)
"She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day." (18)
Quality:
Motivated: An aggressively enterprising person, A Go-Getter
Organized: Having a plan & carrying it out, systematic, uncluttered
Eager: Enthusiastic desire
Put Together: PJ's do not qualify as an outfit!
Hardworking: Industrious, diligent, not lazy
Fulfilled: Gratified, Satisfied to the Full
Breakdown:
Vs. 15: The P31W (Proverbs 31 Woman) is not a woman that has to be wrestled away from her bed in the mornings...I wonder how many of you "snooze" pushers are groaning at the deduction! Now hear my heart, Sisters, I am not saying that a godly woman must be a chipper morning person, but I am saying that she does not lie abed while there are tasks that need accomplished. A P31W meets the day, ready to conquer the never-ending tasks that await her. How many of us prepare a daily breakfast for our families? Not I! Around here we usually toss a Poptart in the toaster & call it good! I personally believe that this phrase, while it could be taken literally, truly alludes to the fact that as a wives & mothers we set the tone of the day for our loved ones. A cranky, frazzled woman is no delight to be around, and naturally her sour mood will dampen the spirits of those around her. This "Morning Person" trait is not natural to everyone, but I firmly believe that with a sincere heart & positive attitude that it can be acquired. We must be self-motivated to begin our day & to accomplish all that lies before us. If a task must be performed regardless of mood, how much better is it to enjoy the process rather than grumble about it? The next quality found in this verse is that the P31W is to be organized. It is far easier & less intimidating to face the day if we know & are prepared for what the day holds. Having a household where things have their place & clutter is minimal, visually & mentally allows a peace of mind. Rushing around searching for things that we need "right now" would frazzle anyone!
Vs. 17: For those of us women whose career consists of endless loads of laundry, changing diapers, dusting, mopping, vacuuming, dishes...(the list goes on, and on, and on) it's very easy to look at the clock & realize it's noon and you're still in your PJ's. Housewives of the world, do not close this blog in frustration or conviction there is no condemnation here! I personally find myself in that precise position at least several times a week, if not more. There are several reasons to identify being put together as a quality of the P31W; #1. Getting dressed, doing our hair, maybe even a touch of makeup instantly gives us a boost mentally & emotionally. For whatever reason it is far easier to be motivated when we feel good (even if only mildly) about our appearance. At the very least let's brush our teeth! If we're going to wear sweats, make it a cute pair! #2. Despite the endless tasks a woman completes in a day, our husbands arriving home to find us still in PJ's gives the perception of laziness. (Please don't flog me, I'm merely being honest).In my mind I envision old episodes of "I Love Lucy" in which she dawns a dress & heels then props herself up elegantly on the couch just as Ricky enters saying, "Honey, I'm Home!" A bit extreme, yes, but there is something to be said for be somewhat appealing when your husband comes through the door. Personally I would like to catch my hubby's eye after a long day apart...and I'm sure baby vomit on my shirt leaves a lot to be desired! #3. Our appearance, right or wrong, gives others an instant opinion of our character, again right or wrong. I am not saying we should overly worry about the opinions of others, & nor am I saying that this is an excuse to spend a lavish amount of money on our appearance.I am saying that I reflect upon my husband & my children, & I want that reflection to be favorable. Stilettos to the grocery store? I think not, but PJ's probably aren't the way to go either. Dare the writer of Proverbs 31 imply that we should look upon the overflowing laundry hamper with giddy excitement? I think he did! It's not enough to go through our day begrudgingly performing the tasks required of us, Our Father expects more from a P31W than that. We need to approach each task with a gratefulness that we are in a position to serve our families.
Vs. 18: The P31W "senses the worth of her work." She has not bought into the lies of society that degrade the tasks of a homemaker. She knows that without her the family would not operate smoothly nor happily. She knows that she works hard, be it in the home or in the workplace, & she is fulfilled in her role. I speak in particular to housewives because a grave injustice has been served to those who dare endeavor to remain home. So far has our culture strayed from it's traditional values that a homemaker is now viewed in a derogatory manner. Rise up women of faith & be proud of & fulfilled in your calling! Every contribution matters, be it a paycheck or the care taking of hearth & home. The end of this verse refers back to the qualities of being motivated & hardworking. We should endeavor to end the day with the same positive attitude with which we began it or if it is a bad day then strive to end it well.
Application:
1. Strive to be motivated, to become a "Go-Getter"
2. If life is frazzled & frantic begin to organize. Buy a planner, post a calender, make a weekly menu, clean up & de-clutter the house
3. Serve with a grateful heart. When tasks frustrate you look upon the work as a blessing. A dirty dish is a sign that there is enough food to feed your family, laundry means they are clothed, beds to make + soft place to lay their heads, & so on
4. For 1 week challenge yourself to get "Put Together" each day...look back at the end of the week & see if it was worth it, what were the changes you notice
5. Complete tasks, don't put them off, do them well
6. Realize the worth of your efforts, even if others don't! Be fulfilled where the Lord has you. The home, the office, the workplace...that is your missionfield, so be His hands, feet, & voice to those around you!
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