November 12, 2005

Proverbs 31 for Me in Mommy Book

     I really should be packing right now. Clancy and I must leave at 4:30 in the morning to fly to Florida where we will hop on the Girl’s Getaway Cruise where I will be speaking. (I will take lots of pictures and tell you all about it next week.)

     Actually, even more than packing, I should be working on the latest edit for my “Taking Care of the ME in Mommy” book. I have three more chapters and all of the “Rest Stops” to tidy up so I can send it to the publisher tonight.

     I got a bit sidetracked. I was working on the chapter for Working Moms (I know all moms work, don’t send me an email.) I was asking the Lord for some direction from His Word regarding this particular chapter and I felt Him whisper to my spirit to look at Proverbs 31. I don’t know why, but I just always had the Proverbs 31 woman in the “Stay At Home Mom” box. As I read this very familiar passage from this fresh perspective it was fun to see that she was very definitely a homemaker but she certainly was also a working woman.

     This is when I got sidetracked. I began to notice how many things she did that I am writing about in my new book. I started playing a little game. I looked through the Table of Contents and began connecting subjects from my book with verses in this passage. I was shocked at how amazingly similar they were. Let me show you what I mean. Here are the subjects I cover in my book:

Nurturing Your Spirit
Prayer
Bible Study
Praise
Journaling
Sabbath
Taking Care of Yourself
Beauty/Pampering
Eating Healthy
Exercise
Girded Thoughts
Keep Learning
Hobbies
Fun/Laughter
Organization
Housekeeping
Cooking
Finances
Working Moms/At Home Biz
Friends
Marriage
Ask for Help

     Other than Journaling, Sabbath and Girded Thoughts, I was able to find a connection for every chapter. Here’s what I mean:

Proverbs 31 (NLT)

10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. (She takes care of her marriage.)
12 She will not hinder him but help him all her life. (There is no greater help she can offer him than praying for him daily.)
13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. (She takes time for hobbies.)
14 She is like a merchant’s ship; she brings her food from afar. (She feeds her family healthy food.)
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. (She finds time to prepare meals for her family and she is organized.)
16 She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. (She is good with finances.)
17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. (She exercises regularly.)
18 She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night. (She should take better care of herself and get the rest she needs.)
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. (This girl likes her hobbies.)
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. (She knows how to give help, hopefully she also knows the importance of asking for help.)
21 She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them have warm clothes. (She likes to shop.)
22 She quilts her own bedspreads. (Maybe she’s doing this with some good friends, like a quilting bee before its time.)She dresses like royalty in gowns of finest cloth. (She likes to feel and look beautiful.)
23 Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council meeting with the other civic leaders. (I bet she keeps her mind ever-growing so she can converse intelligently with her husband.)
24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. (She owns her own business)
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. (She understands the importance of laughter)
26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions. (If her words are wise and kind then I’m sure she is in the Word daily.)
27 She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness. (She is a diligent housekeeper.)
28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” (She is a woman who breathes in the Spirit and her life reflects that.)
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. (She is a worshiping woman.)
31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

     Isn’t that cool? Now, every time I read this passage I feel intimidated; so, before you go there, too, let me assure you that this book I’m writing is not about how you can do it all and be the amazing “Super(Proverbs31)Woman!” Trust me, this book is going to be full of realistic tips on how to make these desirable traits a bit easier to accomplish and also the importance of taking time for ourselves so we can be the amazing women, and subsequently, amazing moms God created us to be. I promise I’ll look out for the mom race. Trust me.

     I really better get back to work so I can pack. Bon Voyage!

Posted by weblion at 04:22 PM