While I was going about my crazy day yesterday I tuned in to listen to a radio preacher. He was preaching on the Proverbs 31 lady~you know the perfect woman we all try to live up to. You can always learn something new. In Proverbs 31 King Lemuel is telling us what his mother taught him about finding a woman~a good woman. She must have thought her dear son was a saint for she wanted the ultimate woman for him. Just my 2 cents worth on that!
The preacher said upon research that King Lemuel's mother had a rough past~she was very unlike the woman she is training him to find. If this preacher is correct I find it interesting that she wanted her son to find a woman above mistakes ~like she had made. Isn't that how we are with our children.? We want them to make better choices than we made. We want them to trust God better than we did. We want them to have the very best. King Lemuel's mother loved him and wanted him to have a good and Godly woman.
I am talking silently to God this morning and I say, "God you know it is after all 2012~we don't live in these Bible times." As if it is not relevant to us today. Which is what all women say when we just are intimidated to try to be a Proverbs 31 lady.
So I thought~what would King Lemuel's mother tell him if they lived in 2012.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The 2010 Proverbs 31 lady~ Are you ready?
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
* She won't spend all his money at Walmart, TJ Maxx or Neiman Marcus. He can trust her to spend money wisely and plan ahead. He never has to worry about his heart because she will not spoil his life by being unfaithful to her man. She will be faithful to her man~even in thought. She will dress in a fashion that will tell others I belong to my man only.
2She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
* This is easy still today~his life will be better because he chose her. He is one smart man to have chosen so wisely. She makes her man look good.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
* She looks for bargains~she doesn't buy everything she wants. She is a hard worker~industrious.
14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
No girls~ this does not mean she drove miles away to get to that drive through~well not all the time anyways. tehe She keeps a stocked pantry so when the month is longer than the money she can scrape up a meal or two~that is just good advice even if I am the one giving it!
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
* She prepares food that is healthy and nutritious. She gets up early and stays up late if need be to get that house put to order. She takes her grocery budget and figures out just how many meals need to come from that money. She makes it work. And let me tell you sister ~this takes work in the recent state of our country. Give yourself a pat on the back here~you deserve it.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
* She is wise in running the affairs of her household~she may even plant a victory garden if it is in her means to do so. I don't know if I could plant a vineyard but I think I can plant a small victory garden.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
* She puts on that exercise DVD she bought at Walmart and actually does it! OUCH
She tries to stay healthy for the well being of her family. Every time she fails in this area ~she starts back again. Ok~give yourself another pat on the back here. I feel your pain. Seriously~ we don't feel well when we neglect our physical body. We can't be all we need to be for the Lord if we are not taking care of ourselves. Ouch again!
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
* She is not lazy!
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
* She is generous and willing to give. She may even give a hamburger to the man on the corner holding up a sign reading ~"I'm Hungry" When she sees a need she cares enough to meet the need. She is tender hearted and compassionate. She stops to ask for God's direction as how to meet the need.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
* She has her household prepared for all the seasons of life. She decorates her home. It is okay to spend money to make your home look beautiful~scarlet! Yes~ I like that thought!
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
* She looks like a lady ~a princess of the Most Heavenly King. She is not frumpy or unkept. She puts on a little make~up and cares what she looks like.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
* Others will say~" What a smart man to haven chosen wisely". She will make her man look good. I want my husband to be proud of the women he married even after all these years.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
* She is creative and markets her talents. She is smart.
25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
* Even when she has PMS she is nice and kind. Even when she has over scheduled herself again she doesn't make her family pay for it. Ouch again! OK~you might need a nap or two to get this one accomplished. I give you permission to take a power nap. It does a world of good!
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
* She makes her list and checks it twice. Plan the work and work the plan!
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
* Now seriously~can I tell you this won't happen until they are grown. Hang in there my friend ~ don't give up. You keep being the Momma!
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
The most important thing about this 2012 Proverbs 31 lady is that she knows in herself she can't do any of this on her own. But as we pour out our selfish wants and ways and allow the Holy Spirit to fill us~we can be this kind of woman~even if it is 2012!
Can I close with this thought? When we are truly seeking to please God in all areas of our life He will fill the gaps. I have many gaps~how about you? Praise God that is what mercy is all about!
Hope you have a wonderful day~
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