Proverbs 31

The Wife of Noble Character (Prov. 31:16-31 NLT)

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Well, I don't know about you. But I don't even come close to measuring up to that ideal! I regard myself as lazy. I am self employed and am raising 2 daughters but I am a perfect procrastinator. I put everything off until the last minute. After the kids are off to school, I often find myself still on the sofa until nearly lunchtime. Not sleeping, usually reading through my favorite blogs, sometimes watching TV. Its not unusual for my toilets to go 3 weeks between cleanings. My office work is done either in a marathon, 12 hour-long sessions, or late at night after everyone else has gone to bed.

Anyhow, who of us couldn't go on and on discrediting ourselves? My point is I fritter away much of my time and some of my money. The money part I've already been convicted over and have begun to change. The time; well, I know now what God is telling me so its up to me. The challenge has been issued. Will I succeed or will I fail? I have God on my side, them's good odds!!

How about you? How do you measure up? I'd love for you to share the ways you strive to be a better wife and/or mother.