Hello,
On these page we will share thoughts or experiences with you hoping that we may encourage you in your day to day walk. Some of our notes to you may be prompted by your prayer requests and comments. (We will not share your prayer requests on this web site unless you request that we do so.)
When I first read about the Proverbs 31 woman she frustrated me. How did anyone dare to be that perfect? Even now I can find things because I know where they are in the stack. I'm what some have termed a "messy". I try to be organized and it lasts for maybe a week then I find myself slipping backward again. But when I first read about this woman, I was raising a family and working a full time job, taking care of a home, tending a garden as well as canning and freezing. - she set what seemed to be an impossible example for me. Yes, she had servants but she didn't have a vacuum, dishwasher, microwave or Mix master. How'd she do it? How did she manage to do all of those wonderful things?
Then I imagined an interview with her, which gave me a different perspective. The interview went something like this:
Me perfect? No, I simply do what's at hand to be done.
Yes, I make the things that my family will need because I love them and know that I'm responsible to feed and clothe them.
My husband works hard and is a good provider. He's respected by our people and I wouldn't choose to do anything to cause him disgrace.
When I consider what I am to do I ask myself, How will my family feel about it?
When they're happy so am I. No, I don't think that I'm disregarding my interests or desires. I enjoy working with my hands, I make things to sell, and work in the vineyard. If my enjoyment makes a profit for my family that is good.
There's a feeling you get when you know that you've done the right thing and that everything is going well, do you know what I mean? That's why I go about my tasks singing, because I enjoy doing them.
As I said before, I simply do what's at hand to be done, then I move on to the next thing. I'm not perfect. Rather, far from it.
I'm simply a woman.
Sincerely, We can only be who we are and we can only do what's at hand to do in the time that we have to accomplish it. We may never live up to her example but then, that's what she is, an example.
Don't be discouraged when no one notices the house was cleaned or that they have clean clothes to get dirty again. You know that you've done those things and that they needed done. Odd how a family can complain when something isn't done and never notice when it has been done. Take heart when no one bothers to say that dinner was delicious. They were hungry and now there not, take satisfaction in that. You did well! If they choose to have a bowl of cereal rather than the meal you just spent an hour or more preparing--they've missed one fantastic meal! Pull out your favorite dishes and sit down and enjoy the meal you've worked so hard to prepare. We won't always be appreciated, I'm not sure she was either. But stop putting yourself down and begin to recognize satisfaction in the fact that you've done what was at hand to do in the time you had to do it. Who knows being satisfied in yourself and your accomplishments may put a little melody back into you routine.
