Proverbs 31 part 3

CEV: She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and for her servants (or to tell her servants what to do).

AMP: She rises while it's yet night and gets (spiritual) food for her household and assigns her maids their task.

MSG: She gets up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.

I like what the Amp. verse says because it speaks of getting spiritual food for her household. Before she gives out spiritual food, she has to have some within in her, leaving me with the impression that she lived her life by Job. 23:12, esteeming the words from His mouth as more important than even her food. She arose early, knowing that her day would be very busy, and she spent time with her Lord. Because she gave Him the firstfruits of her day, He developed a very strong, moral character within her. She showed by example that she had a willing heart, ready to be changed and molded by the Lord.

The Message Bible mentions that she organizes her day. It is so important to have a plan. If we don't, we tend to go haphazardly through our day, and at the end of it, we feel like we were spinning our wheels, and going absolutely nowhere.

For me, my best time for organizing is the night before. I get out the nonperishable items for the next evening's meal. I check the menu to see how much 'prep' time I need to allow. If I will be using the crock pot, I set it out the night before. If there is laundry to start in the morning, I will often separate it into piles. I always have my clothes laid out for the next day. Doing these little things keeps me from getting so distracted in the morning when I spend time with the Father.

In the CEV, it mentions her servants. I have many servants, and I am SO thankful for their help. Their names are washer, dryer, microwave, automobile, and refrigerator. You may not think of your refrigerator as being a servant, but back in the days when the Prov. 31 lady lived, they often had to go to the market everyday. If they didn't go to the market, then they would at least have to be working in the garden or milking the cows or goats so they would have food and drink. Because of having a deep freezer and my refrigerator, I don't have to be running to the market nearly every day. My 'servants' drastically lighten my load so that I can do other things.

In fixing breakfast, I have made it a habit to take time to sit down and read a devotional to Rachel that is geared for her age. Then, we sit there and discuss it. While she it getting her physical nourishment, she is also receiving her spiritual food.

MSG: She looks over a field and buys it, then with the money she's put aside, plants a garden.

AMP: She considers a new field before she buys or accepts it (expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties). With her savings of time and strength, she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.

CEV: She knows how to buy land and how to plant a vineyard.

I love what the Amp. says because I have seen women who neglect their duties at home, to 'do the Lord's work.' They haven't learned that for a mother (especially of young children), 'the Lord's work' is for her to be busy at home, taking care of them and the house.

Let me address those who may be forced to work outside the home. I realize that some ladies are submitting to their husband by working outside the home. In that case, part of doing 'the Lord's work' would be your occupation, because by doing it, you are submitting to your husband. I would like to encourage those of you who are working outside the home to pray diligently for God to make a way for you to be able to stay at home.

Many times we want to pray for God to change our husband's heart if we don't like, or don't agree, with his way of doing things. Before you start praying so hard for God to change your husband's heart about having you work outside the home, pray for God to help you to be joyful in your occupation while you wait for Him to open the door for you to be home. You need to realize that God may be testing you to see if you can learn to be content in whatever circumstances you are facing. He may be testing you to see if you will willingly and joyfully submit to your husband's wishes for you to work outside the home. He may be testing you to see if you are going to harbor resentment against your husband while you are working. Sometimes we want something so badly that we fail to learn the lessons that Father desires to teach us while we await His answer. We are too busy praying to be delivered, or praying for God to change our husband, when it may be that God is desiring to change US!

At one point, I was prayerfully considering a business venture to try and make some money while I continued to be a stay-at-home mom. Before I bought this 'field,' I had to pray about it, talk to my husband about it, and wait for God to give me a release in my spirit before I went ahead with any plans. I knew that buying this 'field' would require some money up front, with no guarantee that I would even break even, let alone come out ahead financially. As I discussed it with my husband, he felt that it wouldn't be worth the risk, so I knew that through his words, God HAD spoken, and He spoke through my husband. I felt a complete peace about it once my husband said 'no' to this particular 'field.' In a matter of only a few months, I found an even better way to supplement our income, yet still be able to keep on top of things at home, and homeschool Rachel. This new 'field' is even one where Rachel is able to help me, and she even sees where some of the money goes.

The Message Bible mentions the money she has put aside. Every time I have a garage sale, the money I make is put back to use for my spending money to buy gifts for my husband, or to use in purchasing clothing for Rachel. Some of the money also gets put aside into my homeschool fund. When have a garage sale, I will often make cookies to sell. All of the money goes into my homeschool fund.

When I felt the leading of the Lord to homeschool, I was shocked when I saw the costs involved in paying for books. I told the Lord that if this was what He wanted me to do, He would have to provide the funds for it. Setting aside an envelope, marked for homeschool money has been a great way to fund this venture. Every time I sell something related to homeschooling, I put the money in that envelope, to be used later on purchasing new school books. When I take my mother out to run errands, she always gives me gas money. That money is also put aside for my homeschool fund. As I have a few extra dollars at the end of the week, I will add to the fund. It adds up quickly, and it has been amazing to see how with my own creativity in saving, I have been able to pay for all of the school supplies without asking my husband for any money.

Another thought on this portion of scripture is that the field to which it refers could represent the field of our children's heart. We need to tend and nurture that field so that our planting there will reap a good and plentiful harvest in years to come. Just as a vineyard requires many years of tender care before it yields forth its fruit, so our children require many years of tender care.

We can see in this verse that she invested in different things. We often need to check our investments. Where are we investing our time, talents, energy, thoughts and affections? Do we need to change our inventory?

AMP: She girds herself with strength (spiritual, mental and physical fitness for her God-given task), and makes her arms strong and firm.

CEV: And she always works hard.

MSG: First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

Notice that in the Amplified version, the first kind of fitness listed is spiritual. That should be our number one priority. I cannot stress enough the blessing of rising early to meet with the Lord. I started this habit over a year ago, and I treasure it immensely. As I have been faithful in doing this, I actually heard the Lord call me by name one morning. I've heard Him say 'Daughter,' or 'Child,' but this time, He spoke my name! It thrilled my heart when the Lover of my soul woke me up, calling me by name!

Mental fitness is listed second, giving it a great deal of importance. It helps me to mentally think about the week before me, so that I'm not so prone to being caught off guard by something. Every evening I think upon the next day, and begin to get things set out at night. It makes it so much easier the next day when I need those items.

I don't even want to address the area of physical fitness because I lack so terribly bad in this area, but the Amplified version does mention it, so it must be rather important. My favorite exercise, if you can call it that, is simply cleaning the house. I HATE to exercise, yet during the summer months when Rachel and I would go bike riding, it would always rejuvenate me. One particular time it was a bit too much invigoration for me because we were being chased by a vicious dog! Being that I was once attacked by a pit bull, I don't care for that kind of invigoration!

I have read many times how important it is to a woman's frame of mind to exercise. It helps to curb depression, it's good for you mentally, it will help with PMS, and a myriad of other benefits. It may also be another way of 'doing your husband good.' He may like the results he sees if you take the time to get physically fit.

This verse mentions working hard and being eager to work. I often find that if I put on some praise music, I will be much more energetic while I am cleaning. Another thing which motivates me is to remember the verse that admonishes me to do everything as unto the Lord. I know that when I clean my house and do all of my tasks joyfully, it's the same as if I did them for my Lord.