Day 8

"She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple." Proverbs 31:22

The woman of proverbs takes care of her family, her neighbors and herself. She sees to it that she has time to minister to her own needs. 

Coverings for her bed means to me she wants a nice environment where she will have a good nights sleep.  She takes care of herself physically. It could also mean that she lays down in peace, covered in prayer, covered by God.

This is where I feel the author of Blessed Beyond Measure misses the point some. Although she does in the end turn it around. The verse shows the woman of proverbs dresses nicely and sees to her appearance, but linen and purple have more meaning than just that she dressed nice. Linen and the color purple were a sign of wealth and purple was the color of royalty. The tabernacle in the old testament was decorated with fine linen and purple. Our bodies are our temple and we should take care of them well. We should be certain to have time for ourselves and keep a healthy lifestyle. However, we should also remember that we are the daughter of the King. We should adorn ourselves with his righteousness (Is 61:10), and every day "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 13:14). We are called to let Jesus shine through. When we glorify him and worship him it is in the beauty of holiness. 
We represent the King of kings and we should be certain that our appearance is Godly. In deed and in dress.

Prov. 31:30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Day 7

"She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20

 

A giving heart is so important to God. He wants us to be willing to serve and that means whatever opportunity God places in our hands, we are to be his hands extended. When we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of  life its easy to overlook these opportunities. We may not feel we have time to stop and help someone on the side of the road or may not feel we have the financial means to give to the poor. I guess that is where we have to exercise our faith. Trusting that God is faithful when we sacrifice, to supply our needs. I know I need improvement in the area of stepping out in faith. Trust does not come easily to me.

We had a testimony last week of an woman in church who has been faithful to God even when she didn't know Where she would get the money to buy groceries. God was faithful to provide. She would have some stranger in line at the grocery store suddenly say they felt this compulsion to pay for her groceries. She was testifying that God turned things around and now she has no worries for her finances because God has seen to it to provide financial security for her.

As far as time is concerned I can never get time back, but I also can't easily get rid of regret. Minutes spent wasted on selfishness will never be able to be redeemed and I will give account for what I did with my time, and "talents". Mathew 25:14-46 Ouch!

Day 6

"She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes." Proverbs 31:24

The woman of Proverbs 31 was a business woman. She did what she could with her talents to help with the finances of her household. I have always hoped that someday I could contribute in this way with my talents. When my son was little I had hoped to be a stay at home mom and be able to work from home but never found anything that was legit or didn't have a large start up cost. I did for a very short time start to do craft fairs but it is not a big money making business. I am still hoping to find some avenue to sell that would really contribute to our finances.

For now I realize that I am contributing to may family working outside of the home in the human services field. It is not where I thought I would be. However God knew that I had certain aspects of my personality that would work in this area well. People used to compliment on how patient I was and that I would do well in the healthcare industry. I didn't think that was me, but sometimes others observe in us what we can't see in ourselves. So here I am working with people with disabilities, and I have to say I do love it. It's hard not to fall in love with the clients and feel like they are family. They become a part of your heart and you can't easily leave them for another job. God knows best who we are are where we should be in life.

I knew that I would have something come along and try me. Anytime I try to make another step in God's direction there is some kind of attack. I knew it and am glad I was prepared otherwise I would have let it really bother me.
Work is a tricky place for Christians and it is always an opportunity to be an example. I don't always succeed in being a good  example of Christ. I try, but sometimes I will say or do something that isn't what I should have done. I did ok today but I think I still need to work on it. I guess God agrees or he wouldn't have given me that trial.
Just praying for God to give me heapings of the Holy Spirit's power to get through each trial.

Well I am getting the things done that  I set out to do.
Spoke to Dh about a devotional. Now we need to find one we like. I think we still have a gift card from our local Christian book store sp hopefully we can go find something we'd like to do.
I am managing to get up early and getting more accomplished and surprisingly having energy to do it.
The one thing I fear is once this all becomes a routine that it will get to a point where my enthusiasm wanes and I'll loose momentum, and eventually get out of the habits I am trying to establish. It's easy to be motivated now while everything is new but once it becomes old that's when it gets tricky to stick with things.
My next goal is to get a routine going for exercise. I am thinking I should incorporate my son's physical fitness for homeschool and my own together. There is a gym in our appartment building so there really is no excuse for not exercising. 
Ok off to try and get some more laundry done. I also need to get to cleaning the bedroom.

Day 5

 "She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar." Proverbs 31:14

Ok this one has me stumped. In the Blessed Beyond Measure site she suggests shopping the sales. Yes I understand that, but she also says she goes to 3 different stores to do it. Umm... how much does gas cost? I don't think it would help me in this situation. One of the stores is on the other side of town and would be too much driving around. Much too time consuming. I do my online shopping and try to shop the sales through that. One of the problems with having to eat a gluten free diet is that GF products are expensive, so I have been buying flours and found recipes to make all kinds of good food.

I think with this verse it can be looked at it from the perspective that she tries to provide good food for her family.  Even if that means she has to buy from a source not immediately available in her area. In my case that would mean online. Amazon is a good resource for buying gluten free foods in bulk.
I think it also means that she cooks a variety of foods. Recently we started experimenting with different dishes like curry chicken and Jerk chicken. That is thanks to my co-workers, one is from Guyana and the other has Jamaican roots. I got to sample some of their cooking and had to make it for my family. Now my husband is addicted to spicy foods.
I also have been experimenting with coconut flour. It's amazing how little of the flour you actually need for the recipes. I made eight muffins last night with only 1/4 a cup of coconut flour when the other flour I usually use asks for 1 1/2 a cup. It's great to have found this alternative.
Then there is the health aspect. It's easy to go to our local grocery store purchase our needed items, and then add some not so needed items while we are there. Was that package of Reeses peanut butter cups really needed? or how about those Pop Tarts? We'd save more money by cutting out those items and buying fruit and other healthy snacks instead.
I am sure the proverbial woman shops wisely and tries to make every penny count. It's important to look for coupons and sales. I do find however some generic brands are cheaper than using the coupon for the name brand. So it's good to know the prices of items we buy.

This has given some things to think about. I am excited each morning to do the next devotional.

Day 4

"13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." Proverbs 31:13 & 17

Now I have always loved this verse being a crocheter. To go into a store and buy yarn for a particular project. I could get lost imagining all kinds of projects to do with different yarns.
But there is more to this verse than that. It talks of  the Proverbs 31 woman going about her work vigorously. What work? Her work meaning any work she does.
What does that mean for me? Any and all work should be done...actively ; with energy; powerfully according to the dictionary. The Bible says that we should do everything as if for the Lord. So as much as I hate to think it, even the house work is something that should be done with enthusiasm and be for God. How many times do I do these thing grudgingly? God is a God of order and does not like disorder. So that pile of laundry needs to be dealt with today. 
OK but where is all this power and energy going to come from? I work outside the home, and it can be tiring job. 
If  I am in line with God spiritually, and taking care of this temple God gave me to live, not only will I have the physical energy but the spiritual energy. The bible says that following him and his words brings health. I think half my battle has been spiritual with the house work. It seems just when I am getting my house in order something comes along to try and knock me down. I'll get sick, or other things will come up to compete with my time spent cleaning.
Oy vay. God is kicking me in my complacency again and it doesn't feel good.
Well I have been getting up early and that alone helps with having more time for housework.
Ok self get cracking, there is a pile of dishes in the sink and God wants it done.

Day 3

"and her lamp does not go out at night." Proverbs 31:18b


This time management theme is really giving me the boost in the behind I need.
I did get up earlier. Woo hoo!
I am going to sign off the computer after this post.
I am starting the boy on his writing

Now this next verse is just as convicting.

If the woman of Proverbs of 31 lived today (and by the way, she does....it's YOU!), she would not spend her evening in front of the t.v. watching hours of the world's view of reality. She wouldn't waste time on activities that didn't support her family, her friends, her ministry or her Lord.

Quote from Blessed Beyond Measure

Anything that takes away from your time with God, and his purpose for your life is idleness.
I feel I have a good handle on the TV issue already. Not much of a TV watcher. However, my husband and son both love the boob tube and I find myself sitting there vegging at times just to spend time with them.
We need to start having a family devotional time so this is something I will have to bring up to Dh. maybe instead of watching it, because its on, we can do a devotional.

Day 2

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls" Proverbs 31:15

Getting up early to prepare for the day ahead. 
Getting up early is an incredible battle for me. I have suffered from insomnia for a while now. Some nights are better than others. Sometimes the cause is my stomach and that is a result of eating unhealthy. Other nights is due to being on the computer late. I had heard of a study that said being on the computer late can cause you to take longer to fall asleep. It has to do with staring at a lighted screen. The light tricks your body into thinking it is day light. 
Going to try to get up an hour earlier each week and stay off the computer at night.

10 day study Proverbs 31 study from the Blessed Beyond Measure blog

 10 day study  Proverbs 31 study
from the   Blessed Beyond Measure blog

Day 1  
"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

Idleness-Not employed or busy, inactive. Avoiding work or employment; lazy:
Lacking substance, value, or basis. To pass time without working or while avoiding work.


OOH conviction. too much time spent on things that are of no value and lacking a purpose. Hmm Pinterest is one.
Time management is something I need to work on. I need to get off the computer more and concentrate on house work more.
I also need to spend more time with my son's homeschooling . I need to get the boy to do more writing for one.

Goals for the week. writing workshop for the boy. Tackle laundry, and less time on the computer.

Healthy Living

Started writing again in my Healthy Living blog. God is convicting me about my health and showing me how he wants to heal me but that I am sabotaging his efforts with all the unhealthy things I put into my body.
I also realize that this coincides with my spiritiual battles as well and the unhealthy things I let into my soul.
It is a constant battle where we have to mortify the deeds of the flesh and carry our cross daily. When we follow the flesh and it's appitiets the Bible says it leads to death.
I am determined to live a spiritually and physically healthy life honoring God.

Rom 8:13

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.