First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
Shortly after Craig and I got married, I was a stay at home mom for a while. I worked here and there, and then I had a period of time when I babysat kids in our home. But it was a few years that I just stayed home and "took care of the house and the kids." I put that in quotes because...well...I wasn't really very good at the taking care of the house part back then. I remember so many times Craig would come home and he would say, "You're here ALL day. How is it that this didn't get done?" At the time, I had only the two children to take care of and they were in school for most of the day. I should have been able to get a lot of work accomplished in the house. Looking back, I know that I spent a lot of time online back then. I watched a lot of court TV. I talked on the phone a lot. Sometimes I did the dishes, laundry...but I wasn't diligent like I should have been. Craig was right to question me. Come to think of it...I'm not sure what I really did with ALL of that time.
Ladies, that's not what we're called to do. And actually, my actions were very sinful, though I would defend myself to you to no end. We are called to be the keepers of our homes. Now, I've been on the other side of the spectrum as well. I've been the working mom. I've been the mom who spends 8+ hours at a job that makes me want to tear my hair out. And when I was doing that job, the duties at home were adjusted accordingly. My husband works at a very physical job and sometimes the hours are very long. But when I was working outside of our home, he pitched in more because he had to. It just wasn't possible for me to do it all. He understood that. And I never heard him complain.
Now that I'm a stay at home mom again, he tells me all the time how much less pressure he feels. He knows that our son is being raised by me. He knows that when the older kids get home from school, I'll be here to greet them and make sure they are doing their homework. He knows that he can call me and I'll answer the phone. And, because of the insight I've had into what it takes to be a Proverbs 31 Wife, he knows that the house is being cared for in the right way.
Now, I'm no different than you. There are days that I get up and I think like my toddler. "Don't want to!" Some days I just don't feel like it. I don't want to look at my to-do list. Instead, I want to play on the floor with Caleb. I want to curl up on the couch and read the new book I just downloaded onto my Nook. I want to hang out on Facebook all day and get the low-down on what is going on in my friend's lives.
But I can't.
One of the most important things that I have learned as I'm studying this Scripture is that you just have to DO IT. And, more importantly, the sooner you DO IT, the sooner it is DONE. There are many days that I will post on Facebook that I got all of my to do list completed for the day before it's even 9am! I never would have thought that possible. And then, guess what? I can sit on the floor and play games with my son. I can read with my Nook for a little while. I can find time to write in my blog or work on my book. But when we put off doing the work our house needs, it just looms over us like a cloud. And the more we put it off, the easier it is to put it off. And then before you know it, the entire day has gone by and you haven't done anything to bless your family.
My family is worth it. I love them so much. I told my husband last night that marrying him was the second best decision I ever made. (The first being getting saved) Where are the actions behind those words? Words are nice. But if we don't have any actions to back them up, they are empty. My actions this morning were cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast, figuring out what we're having for dinner, and doing my Wednesday chore, which is cleaning our home office.
I used to be quite lazy. If God can reform me, trust me, He can reform you. He can take your day and mold it into an expression of love for your family. That's what it should be.
The process looks different for everyone. But I would like to share with you what works for me. If it doesn't work for you, tweak it until you find something that does work for you. Whatever you do, don't overwhelm yourself. And don't worry if you don't get all of the things on your to-do list done for that day. There are days when I give my kids a few of the items on the list to do. And there are days when I don't get all the way through it because I had to run an unexpected errand that day. But I know in my heart that each day, I've done my absolute best. And as long as I am obedient, that is all God requires of me.
THE KEY TO WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SHARE IS SIMPLE: JUST DO IT. GET STARTED AND GET FINISHED. SIMPLE, BUT VITAL.
Every day, I do the following: 1 load of laundry, sweep kitchen floor, unload and reload dishwasher.
Each day of the week is assigned a different room. Mondays are for the kitchen/dining area. Mostly because that is the area that usually needs the most attention after a busy weekend. Tuesday is the living room. Wednesday is the home office. It is also the day that I do my grocery list. Thursday is the bathroom and Friday is the master bedroom. The kids are responsible to keep their own rooms clean. I go through the mail when it comes and throw junk AWAY. I wrote out the specific chores that need to be done within each room on my to-do list. And I LOVE checking them off. I feel so accomplished when I get to do that. I use an app on my Nook and my phone to keep my lists. If you'd like to check it out, you can at www.cozio.com. It's been very helpful for me.
Like I said, maybe this won't work for you. But I knew that something would eventually work so that I could accomplish my goal of taking good care of my home. I just had to keep going so I could figure out what it was that would work for me.
I love the part of that Scripture that says, "She senses the worth of her work." Do you do that? Do you sense the worth of your work? Many times we don't. At the end of the day, we find ourselves exhausted as we collapse into bed. But just try this: Take a few minutes and really sense the worth of your work. Look at your husband in the evening when he comes home to a dinner that's ready for him. Look at your children as they are doing their homework. Look at the kitchen that you just cleaned and feel proud of your accomplishment. The fact is, if you don't take a minute to sense the worth of your work, it's hard to keep on doing it. Know that God is proud of you for doing your best. Know that you worked for your family out of love for them.
And JUST DO IT!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Beauty
She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
As I've been contemplating my new blog today, God has brought this part of the Scripture specifically to my mind. Inside these words, I see one theme in particular: BEAUTY
There I was...sitting at the table with my husband. He's ready for work, and I'm all decked out in my PJ's. Oh, they were interesting PJ's alright: An old, stained, long-sleeved t-shirt from Old Navy and my warm (but awesome) Tinkerbell fleece PJ pants. My black fury slippers were on my feet. Shower? Nah. Wild and crazy was the 'do of the morning. I was as comfortable as could be. And why not? Where have I to go? My plans involved doing housework, writing, and hanging out with two young boys all day long. I was ready for that, certainly.
I got around to taking a shower when the boys went down for their nap. It sure did feel good to scrub away the grime of the day (and night). When I got into my bedroom to dress, I looked for something warm to put on and found a pretty gray sweater. I had been looking for an excuse to wear my red scarf again before the warm weather REALLY sets in. So I pulled out those two items. I put on my most awesome pair of jeans (awesome because they look good and because they are really comfy). Then I looked in the mirror. And God started talking to me.
What would my husband like to see when he gets home? A woman who threw together her outfit because she had so much work to do that there wasn't time to make myself look nice for him? Or...would he rather be greeted by someone who (kind of) resembled the woman he fell in love with five years ago? Well, that was easy.
I wondered just how long it would take to make my face up for the day. Would it really put that much of a dent in the amount of time I had left until the boys woke up from their nap? Hmmm...probably not. So, I started working on my face. It probably took me about ten minutes to do my makeup. And when I looked in the mirror, I was impressed. I smiled. Wow...what a transformation! It crossed my mind that my husband might also like to see the earrings that he got me a few years ago for Christmas. I had misplaced them quite some time ago (along with another favorite pair) and he surprised me by presenting them to me in the kitchen one night. He was so happy to have found them for me.
My beauty on the inside comes from God. It comes from the work that He has done in my life. It comes from the changes that He has made to my personality. I know that I am a beautiful person on the inside. My beauty on the outside comes from God. And He has given me some tools to enhance it. Tools to hide those weird red marks on my cheeks and the pimple that's forming on my nose. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I thought about my husband's reaction when he comes home tonight. What is he going to say? More than likely, he'll smile at me and tell me that I look nice today. He'll take me in his arms and be a little bit impressed at the time I took to look good for him. And it didn't even really take much time at all.
We're not supposed to be vain. That's not what this post is about. But it is about caring for our husbands. Like it or not, ladies, men are visual creatures. Your physical beauty is most likely what they first noticed about you. It's the way they are made. It's the way God made them. When you first started dating your husband, you spent HOURS getting presentable for him, most likely. You changed your outfit twenty times, you did and re-did your make up for him. You went to great lengths to make your hair look just right. How, then, can we be okay with just hanging around all day in our PJ's, now that we're married? What does that say to our husbands? I was incredibly convicted today by these thoughts. Don't get me wrong, I don't always hang out in my PJ's all day. Most of the time, I get up before the kids do, shower and get myself ready for the day. But I never wear make up. I never do much of anything with my hair, other than brush it and hope that it won't be too tangled by the time the day is over. How much more time would it take me to do just a little bit more? And how much more loved would my husband feel if he knew that HE was the reason that I wanted to look nice?
It's amazing how doing my hair and my make up has affected the latter portion of my day. I had a terrible headache earlier today and it's gone now. I finished up the chores I had to finish and was able to write this blog. I FEEL GOOD. I'm more awake (even without the use of more coffee) and I'm looking with anticipation toward getting dinner started and prepared for my family. And I can't wait until my husband comes home so I can wrap my arms around him and tell him how much I love him.
Give it a try tomorrow. Give yourself fifteen minutes more in the morning. Pamper yourself a little. Find your foundation. Wear some lipstick. Shave your legs. Spritz on some of that perfume you know your husband likes. Remember how excited you were before that first date. It's a lie from the devil that after marriage we have to "let ourselves go." I'm making a vow today to make my husband remember why he fell in love with me in the first place. I want to radiate beauty to him.
The wife in Proverbs 31 did it. Why can't I?
As I've been contemplating my new blog today, God has brought this part of the Scripture specifically to my mind. Inside these words, I see one theme in particular: BEAUTY
There I was...sitting at the table with my husband. He's ready for work, and I'm all decked out in my PJ's. Oh, they were interesting PJ's alright: An old, stained, long-sleeved t-shirt from Old Navy and my warm (but awesome) Tinkerbell fleece PJ pants. My black fury slippers were on my feet. Shower? Nah. Wild and crazy was the 'do of the morning. I was as comfortable as could be. And why not? Where have I to go? My plans involved doing housework, writing, and hanging out with two young boys all day long. I was ready for that, certainly.
I got around to taking a shower when the boys went down for their nap. It sure did feel good to scrub away the grime of the day (and night). When I got into my bedroom to dress, I looked for something warm to put on and found a pretty gray sweater. I had been looking for an excuse to wear my red scarf again before the warm weather REALLY sets in. So I pulled out those two items. I put on my most awesome pair of jeans (awesome because they look good and because they are really comfy). Then I looked in the mirror. And God started talking to me.
What would my husband like to see when he gets home? A woman who threw together her outfit because she had so much work to do that there wasn't time to make myself look nice for him? Or...would he rather be greeted by someone who (kind of) resembled the woman he fell in love with five years ago? Well, that was easy.
I wondered just how long it would take to make my face up for the day. Would it really put that much of a dent in the amount of time I had left until the boys woke up from their nap? Hmmm...probably not. So, I started working on my face. It probably took me about ten minutes to do my makeup. And when I looked in the mirror, I was impressed. I smiled. Wow...what a transformation! It crossed my mind that my husband might also like to see the earrings that he got me a few years ago for Christmas. I had misplaced them quite some time ago (along with another favorite pair) and he surprised me by presenting them to me in the kitchen one night. He was so happy to have found them for me.
My beauty on the inside comes from God. It comes from the work that He has done in my life. It comes from the changes that He has made to my personality. I know that I am a beautiful person on the inside. My beauty on the outside comes from God. And He has given me some tools to enhance it. Tools to hide those weird red marks on my cheeks and the pimple that's forming on my nose. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I thought about my husband's reaction when he comes home tonight. What is he going to say? More than likely, he'll smile at me and tell me that I look nice today. He'll take me in his arms and be a little bit impressed at the time I took to look good for him. And it didn't even really take much time at all.
We're not supposed to be vain. That's not what this post is about. But it is about caring for our husbands. Like it or not, ladies, men are visual creatures. Your physical beauty is most likely what they first noticed about you. It's the way they are made. It's the way God made them. When you first started dating your husband, you spent HOURS getting presentable for him, most likely. You changed your outfit twenty times, you did and re-did your make up for him. You went to great lengths to make your hair look just right. How, then, can we be okay with just hanging around all day in our PJ's, now that we're married? What does that say to our husbands? I was incredibly convicted today by these thoughts. Don't get me wrong, I don't always hang out in my PJ's all day. Most of the time, I get up before the kids do, shower and get myself ready for the day. But I never wear make up. I never do much of anything with my hair, other than brush it and hope that it won't be too tangled by the time the day is over. How much more time would it take me to do just a little bit more? And how much more loved would my husband feel if he knew that HE was the reason that I wanted to look nice?
It's amazing how doing my hair and my make up has affected the latter portion of my day. I had a terrible headache earlier today and it's gone now. I finished up the chores I had to finish and was able to write this blog. I FEEL GOOD. I'm more awake (even without the use of more coffee) and I'm looking with anticipation toward getting dinner started and prepared for my family. And I can't wait until my husband comes home so I can wrap my arms around him and tell him how much I love him.
Give it a try tomorrow. Give yourself fifteen minutes more in the morning. Pamper yourself a little. Find your foundation. Wear some lipstick. Shave your legs. Spritz on some of that perfume you know your husband likes. Remember how excited you were before that first date. It's a lie from the devil that after marriage we have to "let ourselves go." I'm making a vow today to make my husband remember why he fell in love with me in the first place. I want to radiate beauty to him.
The wife in Proverbs 31 did it. Why can't I?
Proverbs 31:10-31
Proverbs 31:10-31 says this:
A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
One of the things I hear quite often is: How do you know what the Bible is saying? It's so hard to understand. Actually, it isn't.
The Bible is God-inspired. These are the words that God wants us to get into our hearts more than any others. The pages of the Bible are filled with great knowledge and understanding. They are filled with God's instructions on how to "do life". If it was hard for us to understand...well why would He bother?
For those who want to understand, there is understanding available. You only have to have the desire to become what God wants you to become. You have to pray and ask God to reveal the truth of the Scripture to you. Sounds simple, doesn't it?
It is!
God is mysterious, yes. Sometimes we don't understand all of His ways. But He doesn't make His desires for us a mystery. God is yearning to tell you what He wants from you as a wife. He has a plan for your life. He has a plan for your marriage. We're going to study this portion of Scripture. We're going to tear it apart and really get into the meat of what it has to say for our lives today. John Maxwell likes to teach in a way where he "puts the cookies on the bottom shelf, where everyone can reach them." That's what I want to do for you, Proverbs 31 Wife.
As you read this Scripture over again, don't worry if you're not there yet. I don't think anyone is completely there yet! I know I'm not! But I have a vision for my life and for my family that goes beyond what I currently see happening in my own life. I know that God's Word is true. And when He says He has plans that will prosper me, I believe Him. I've never believed Him more than I do right now.
So, come along with me on this journey. Let's talk about marriage and what God has to say about the type of wife He wants us to be.
I'm willing to bet that you're going to be surprised.
A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
One of the things I hear quite often is: How do you know what the Bible is saying? It's so hard to understand. Actually, it isn't.
The Bible is God-inspired. These are the words that God wants us to get into our hearts more than any others. The pages of the Bible are filled with great knowledge and understanding. They are filled with God's instructions on how to "do life". If it was hard for us to understand...well why would He bother?
For those who want to understand, there is understanding available. You only have to have the desire to become what God wants you to become. You have to pray and ask God to reveal the truth of the Scripture to you. Sounds simple, doesn't it?
It is!
God is mysterious, yes. Sometimes we don't understand all of His ways. But He doesn't make His desires for us a mystery. God is yearning to tell you what He wants from you as a wife. He has a plan for your life. He has a plan for your marriage. We're going to study this portion of Scripture. We're going to tear it apart and really get into the meat of what it has to say for our lives today. John Maxwell likes to teach in a way where he "puts the cookies on the bottom shelf, where everyone can reach them." That's what I want to do for you, Proverbs 31 Wife.
As you read this Scripture over again, don't worry if you're not there yet. I don't think anyone is completely there yet! I know I'm not! But I have a vision for my life and for my family that goes beyond what I currently see happening in my own life. I know that God's Word is true. And when He says He has plans that will prosper me, I believe Him. I've never believed Him more than I do right now.
So, come along with me on this journey. Let's talk about marriage and what God has to say about the type of wife He wants us to be.
I'm willing to bet that you're going to be surprised.
Why Another Blog?
If you are a follower of my other blog (Noggintabloggin) you may be asking yourself, why is she writing another blog? There are many reasons.
Becoming a Proverbs 31 wife has been at the core of my heart ever since Craig and I got married. God began speaking to me and preparing me to be the kind of wife that he needed before I even met each other. When we met and married shortly after, God really laid it on my heart. Marriage is important to me. My marriage, of course, but also marriage in general. Marriage should be the foundation in families. It should be the bond that holds families together. Sadly, a lot of relationships just are not put together that way. Children come along and marriage takes a back seat. Or other relationships interfere. Marriage was designed by God. And of course, as one of God's covenants, it comes under the attack of Satan. I am passionate about marriage. And I wanted a place to be able to share that passion. I may share stories from my own life. Some of my entries may be humorous, some maybe serious. But I will promise you this: I will write based on what God has placed on my heart. I will share what God gives me to share. Nothing more, nothing less. With that in mind...stay tuned. God's got some things about marriage that He wants to say.
Becoming a Proverbs 31 wife has been at the core of my heart ever since Craig and I got married. God began speaking to me and preparing me to be the kind of wife that he needed before I even met each other. When we met and married shortly after, God really laid it on my heart. Marriage is important to me. My marriage, of course, but also marriage in general. Marriage should be the foundation in families. It should be the bond that holds families together. Sadly, a lot of relationships just are not put together that way. Children come along and marriage takes a back seat. Or other relationships interfere. Marriage was designed by God. And of course, as one of God's covenants, it comes under the attack of Satan. I am passionate about marriage. And I wanted a place to be able to share that passion. I may share stories from my own life. Some of my entries may be humorous, some maybe serious. But I will promise you this: I will write based on what God has placed on my heart. I will share what God gives me to share. Nothing more, nothing less. With that in mind...stay tuned. God's got some things about marriage that He wants to say.
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