Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Consistency...

More about the Proverbs 31 Woman...

Proverbs 31:19-24
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm[c] clothes.
22 She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.
 
As I read more about the "Proverbs 31 Woman," I note one thing: consistency.  Each of the scriptures support one another in that she is a hard worker.  She spends her time being productive and doing that which needs to be done. She is also a giving person (v 20).  She helps those around her as well as looks for opportunities to serve others. She is organized and a planner because as noted in v. 21 her family is prepared for winter because she made sure that they would be. They have warm clothes because she made them. She knew that winter would someday come so she did what needed to be done to prepare her family for it. She is also well dress (and covered). Her husband is well known at the city gates because of her. She adds value to his reputation because of the kind of woman she is.  Not only is she diligent at working to make sure that her family has everything that they need but she makes enough to sell.  Based on her character, I'm sure she invests the money wisely.
 
I believe as women, we can learn so much from the character of this woman. Whether or not we are married or have a family to take care of, we can still practice some of these same qualities.  Prudence and Diligence are well suited for any situation. One can never have too much wisdom either.
 
I'd like to encourage you to have as less idle time as possible. Spend your time being productive and bettering yourself so that when you are a wife, you will possess many of the same qualities.  If you are already a wife and have a family, be diligent in everything that you do. Be sure that your family is well taken care of and that your works will bring praises to all of you.
 
Be encouraged. Be better today than you were yesterday.