Becoming A Proverbs 31 Woman: 1 Virtue At A Time Week 10 Lesson 10

Week 10 Lesson 10

Managing Our Time, Family and Home

"Proverbs 31: 27 “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

This verse sums up the Proverbs 31 woman! She does not eat the bread of idleness! We have seen her diligence in every aspect of life – from caring for her husband, children, servants and even the poor. We’ve watched her rise early, stay up late, plant a vineyard, sew her own clothes, her family’s clothing, the tapestries and beddings! All of this woman’s work is excellence!

The Proverbs 31 woman knew that homemaking was her God-given role and she OWNED it! She didn’t idly sit by and let the clutter and laundry pile up! She was busy embracing her high calling. She was busy managing her time, family and home well!

Proverbs 31:27 says:

1. “She watches” – this means her eyes are fixed on her own family as her first priority. She’s not watching what others are doing. She’s not watching television or status updates on Facebook all day long. She’s watching her home closely and the needs that are there.

2. What does she watch over? “the affairs (or ways)” What are your family’s ways? What are their habits and routines? Are they healthy? Are they glorifying to God? Is everyone getting their rest, getting time in the Word of God, getting enough tender listening time, love and affection, enough exercise and healthy food? What are your family’s ways? You shape the ways of the home by your influence.

3. Whose ways does she watch? “her household” Let me reiterate -she is thinking of her household first. She is not thinking about pleasing her boss, pleasing her mother-in-law, or meddling in others business. She is focused on her household because she understands and embraces the powerful role she plays in the home. And then the verse ends with a kicker! “She does not eat the bread of idleness.” This statement is so powerful. The Proverbs 31 woman knows how to manage her time, family and home! As she resists idleness, she embraces her work and she serves her family. Do you see how irreplaceable she is in this home?

She is the one who is making everything run smoothly! It is her watchful eye and her diligence that makes her home a pleasant place. The appearance of your home doesn’t lie. It is very clear to the eye when a home has been neglected. And I am convicted by this verse. I want to encourage you, do not grow idle in your mundane tasks. Manage your time, family and home well. Mundane tasks are the hidden treasure to creating a home that is a haven. Watch over the ways of your family. Embrace this hidden treasure as the Proverbs 31 woman did and you too will be blessed!

What Do Your Children Think of You?

Proverbs 31:28 “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her.”

Isn’t this what we all dream of? Our husband and children praising us? We have seen this woman pour her life out for her family. And here we find her reward – “Her children arise and call her blessed!”We will address the husband’s “words of praise” in the next chapter because it correlates with that verse and it’s a HUGE topic.  Now we will solely look at the children.

♦Who is praising her? It’s not the people in the PTA, her church Bible study group, local newspaper, co-workers or neighborhood association. It is her children!

♦Who you are at home is who you really are. If you find that all of your accolades come from sources outside of your home – and inside your home is a train wreck, then you can be sure that your priorities somehow have been derailed!

♦If you have little ones and even teens, this may not be the season where they arise and call you blessed, so be patient! The words “arise up” mean that the children are full grown. Often times, it’s not until children gain a bit of perspective in life that they realize how much their mother has sacrificed for them.

♦Arising and blessing their mother is not just about the “thank you” but about them arising and living honorable, noble, God-fearing lives. This fruit is evidence of a mother’s hard work. This is a mother’s true reward!

What are some practical ways to get to this point?

1. Do not focus on raising your children to be straight “A” students, captains of the basketball team, doctors or missionaries. Focus first on raising children who fear God and desire to serve him. And let their success and vocation be left in God’s hands.

2. Pray daily for your children to love God and desire him more than anything this world has to offer!

3. Work on creating order, fun, memories, warmness, and a haven in your home. Make your home a place where children feel comfortable to open up their hearts and talk, where they are free to laugh, make mistakes, be silly, yet always sensing the presence of God. We must first have God’s word present in our lives in order for the children to sense the presence of God in their lives. Read the scriptures together, memorize them, sing them, and delight in them.

4. There is no room for giving up, giving in or surrendering to the wayward child. We must continue to parent our children – not until Jr. High, not until they are 16, not even until they are 18. They will make CRUCIAL life altering decisions between 18 and 25 – their vocation and who they will marry. Stay in the game with a fierce face! Persevere in guiding, praying, loving, talking, and creating special time with your children. Your children need you.

5. Remember – you are irreplaceable. They are YOUR responsibility to train, instruct and release. Walk humbly and fearfully as you fulfill this high calling! A huge challenge lies before us today as we consider our parenting skills. Have we blown it? Apologize. Have we failed to pray? Start today. Have we been too wrapped up in our own lives to spend meaningful time with the kids? Turn off the TV and computer and give your children the best of you.

That concludes Week 10 Lesson 10 of Becoming A Proverbs 31 Woman. Please ladies comment, remark, and participate. As always I love hearing from you.  I always enjoy sharing with you guys. The comments area is always open for your sharing weekly. Remember, what you share may help someone else. Simply because we are all different and no two of us think alike. So, please share your thoughts, comments, and stories. If you want to reach me personally, you have the website information also the info below.

Word of prayer

Father, we are grateful for your word and the opportunity to be blessed by it. We strive to be the women you called us to be, and we look forward to your blessing. Thank you for giving us purpose and loving us and for our families loving us. Amen.

Thank you for visiting with me and allowing me to share this information yet again. I will see you ladies next week with lesson 11. Hope to hear from you guys. God bless.

urbeauty4ashes@gmail.com(209) 407-1980 (call or text)

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