Proverbs 31:27

Proverbs 31:27

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."

This morning I was determined to write another blogpost for myself and for whoever else may read. I say every time I go to write a blogpost that I'm just going to sit down, write a blog, then get up and do laundry, dishes, vacuum, etc. etc. etc. (and yes I just said this aloud like the king in The King and I...lol) Well, I sit down, write a blog, then I check my e-mail, then I check my facebook, then I watch videos on youtube, then I check pinterest...and you get the drift...before I know it it's 1:00 on my only day off (and only good time I have to really clean and do things around the house) and the only productive thing I've done is write a blogpost...ugh. Then my back hurts from sitting in the computer chair so I have to go lay down until it stops hurting and there goes some more time. So, this morning I kept saying to myself "Sit down, write a blog, get up!" I wasn't sure what I was going to write about quite yet, so I searched through the chapter of the virtuous woman (after all this is what the blog is all about) and I came to this verse...PERFECT for me today! I waste way too much time doing pointless stuff...I mean truly pointless! What good is looking at videos on youtube going to do me? It's just a distraction and an excuse to procrastinate longer on what I really need to be doing! Why do I do it? Probably 1 or 2 reasons. 1. LAZY...that's all there is to that one... 2. Worn out and tired from working a full time job all week and feel like I dont have enough energy to get around to cleaning. Well, if I'm tired, watching videos on youtube is NOT going to make me less tired to get stuff done. I need to take a little catnap, or exercise, or eat a healthy meal to charge me. Maybe even all 3. Also, if you take better care of things and get done what needs to get done, you can be able to sleep better at night. If it's being lazy, I just need to get started....that's the hardest part! Once you get started, it's not so bad! (and yes, I'm talking to myself here...a self pep talk! lol) And you feel much better and can relax once it's done! AND YES we do need a day of rest...this is what Sunday should be for...after all the work for the week has been done! God worked hard and created the world in the 6 days and THEN rested on the 7th...He should be our example in all we do. So that's what I have to say about that...but all of that is just blubblering...what really matters is what God's word says! So let's see some other verses!

Verses about not being lazy/idle:

Prov. 18:9 "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster."

Prov. 6:6-11 "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man."

Prov 10:4 "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich"

Prov 21:25 "The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour."

2 Thess. 3:10-12 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread."

2 Cor. 9:6 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

So what does a virtuous woman do instead of idleing?

Grocery Shopping (for healthy food while being wise with the money...)(or gardening is even better! Healthier and cheaper...the more work you put into it, the more rewarding the outcome):
- Prov. 31:14 "She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar."
- Prov. 31:16 "She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard."

Budgeting for wise use of money:
-Prov. 31: 18 "She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night."
(Also note how she considered the field, in verse 16, before buying it)

Cooking:
-Prov 31:15 "She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens."

Providing clean clothes for her and her family to wear (for us this means laundry, buying clothes when they NEED something [this is the problem...we like to clothes shop in abundance sometimes...be wise with the money, but provide for the needs], or sewing and mending clothes (again cheapest and most rewarding.):
-Prov. 31:19 "She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff."
-Prov. 31:22 "She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple."

Meditating on Scriptures:
-Joshua 1:8: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

Teaching scripture (and how to live them) to her children and being a good example:
-Deut. 6:6-7 "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
- Titus 2:4-8 "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

Get some exercise (although, if you're working hard enough, it's a good workout in itself):
Prov. 31:17 "She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms."

Prepare for rough times ahead of time:
-Prov. 31:21 "She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet." (also applies to providing clothing for your family)

She brings in money, too, with her craftiness:
- Prov. 31:24 "She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant."

Keeps her home tidy and orderly:
- Prov. 24:3 "Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:"
- Prov. 14:1 "Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands."
(Also in Titus 2:5 above "Keepers at home"...Part of being wise with money is taking good care of the homes we have. If you let your house get dirty and gross, it gets worn down a whole lot faster, and you have to spend a LOT more money on repairs than you would have to on upkeep. Also, it's important to keep your family healthy, and isn't a family healthier if there isn't dirt and grime floating around everywhere? And our God is ordly in everything, so shouldn't we be too? Now, I'm not saying the virtuous woman's house has to be spotless at all times...it can be lived in! Just orderly and well kept. But, don't focus on the cleaning so much that you miss important time with God and your family)

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men"

Col. 3:23