No, this isn’t a post about the carbs in bread. This isn’t a post about gluten-free living. This is a post to myself: Kim, do not each the bread of idleness!
We are on this 40 Day journey to Prepare for God’s Plans, and we are in the final push of taking at least one step each day towards our dreams. In these next two weeks, I’d like to finish these 40 days well. I’d like to accomplish more than I thought I would.
Often, in my quiet time in the mornings, I read a Psalm or Proverb that matches the date. Whenever a 31st of a month rolls around, I tend to think “oh man, not again!”
Proverbs 31 contains a description of an “excellent” wife. Some translations say “noble,” or a wife of “valor.” The word used in the ancient text is the same word that might have been used to describe a warrior. That doesn’t sound so bad.
The problem for me is that Proverbs 31 tends to convict me of things I’ve been letting go around the house. Or, it can prod my spirit about watching too much television or being on my phone too much.
But, for the most part, I just wish that Proverbs 31 described me. I’d like to leave a legacy that sounds like a Proverbs 31 wife and mother:
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying ‘many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.’
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” ~ Proverbs 31:25-31
I don’t want to eat the bread of idleness, but my couch feels as good as warm bread tastes! I want to act with strength and dignity, but I am impatient and hot-tempered. And if wisdom and kindness would come out of my mouth whenever I speak, it might be a minor miracle.
That being said, I think reading Proverbs 31 every time a 31st of the month happens on the calendar is a very good thing for me. My quiet time in the morning tends to set the tone for the day. I ask God to keep changing me, keep working through me.
As believers in Jesus, we get the help of the Holy Spirit. Let’s ask the Lord to send us help today, each woman to get exactly what she needs to “fear the Lord” (which just means to revere God in His proper place, first place in our lives). Ask the Lord to show us how we can behave in ways that inspire our husbands to praise us and our children to bless us.
Read Proverbs 31 and let me know 2 things:
- which verses cause you to reflect on your own behavior?
- which verses would you like people to use to describe you?