She looks well to the ways of her
household
and does not eat the bread of
idleness.
Proverbs 31:27
General information:
Being a stay at home mom means I am called too and consumed by certain duties: watching my children (feeding, cleaning, changing, protecting, etc.) , cleaning the house (vacuuming, dusting, sterilizing (needed often), and straightening up), doing laundry (7-8 loads a week), cooking meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), paying bills, and grocery shopping. To be completely honest I delight in most of these things, especially grocery shopping. Folding laundry is probably at the bottom of the list, but nonetheless, I gave up a long time ago resenting these duties. So for the most part, if you walk into my home, you would say that I "look well to the ways of [my] household." Generally in the morning I wake up early to have time with God before my family is awake. This time prepares me for the day I believe by setting my thoughts on God and seeking His grace and mercy for the day.
My problem:
When my quiet time is finished, all of my jobs at home are completed and my children are asleep, I struggle with idleness. I would love to say that I take the two or three hours I have each day during nap time and fill them with encouragement to women of my church, reading books by authors who spur me on towards Christ, or in hours of prayer... but for the most part, I haven't. In most cases, I can't say where the time goes. Maybe in reading blogs of people I don't know, to find out what they think about all kinds of things that don't matter really, or looking at pictures and statuses on facebook of people that I don't really keep in contact with and which only leads to me judging them (which thanks to our James study that has been an area growth for me, but still much needed prayer), or searching for random stuff online, or who knows what (I'm just being completely honest here). Before I know it, the time is gone and it's time to start dinner. This is not always the case, but in reality, it shouldn't be this way at all.
Ryan came home the other night and asked how I was doing. I told him that I was doing alright but that I was struggling with idleness. He sort of looked at me with confusion. I explained that I didn't mean in regards to caring for him, the children, or the house, but as it pertained to my free time. Rest is good (Sweet is the sleep of a laborer Ecclesiatstes 5:12a), taking a break is fine, but what am I filling that time with.... To tell the truth: it is my fleshly desire to be mindlessly entertained.
The Solution:
Fear the LORD. The Proverbs 31 woman sets a high bar. She is not idle because she looks well to the ways of her household, yes.... but most importantly because she fears the LORD. And for that reason alone is why she should be praised.
For your entertainment:
So this video reminds me of my fleshly desires and how ridiculous they must look sometimes! Enjoy!
Being a stay at home mom means I am called too and consumed by certain duties: watching my children (feeding, cleaning, changing, protecting, etc.) , cleaning the house (vacuuming, dusting, sterilizing (needed often), and straightening up), doing laundry (7-8 loads a week), cooking meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), paying bills, and grocery shopping. To be completely honest I delight in most of these things, especially grocery shopping. Folding laundry is probably at the bottom of the list, but nonetheless, I gave up a long time ago resenting these duties. So for the most part, if you walk into my home, you would say that I "look well to the ways of [my] household." Generally in the morning I wake up early to have time with God before my family is awake. This time prepares me for the day I believe by setting my thoughts on God and seeking His grace and mercy for the day.
My problem:
When my quiet time is finished, all of my jobs at home are completed and my children are asleep, I struggle with idleness. I would love to say that I take the two or three hours I have each day during nap time and fill them with encouragement to women of my church, reading books by authors who spur me on towards Christ, or in hours of prayer... but for the most part, I haven't. In most cases, I can't say where the time goes. Maybe in reading blogs of people I don't know, to find out what they think about all kinds of things that don't matter really, or looking at pictures and statuses on facebook of people that I don't really keep in contact with and which only leads to me judging them (which thanks to our James study that has been an area growth for me, but still much needed prayer), or searching for random stuff online, or who knows what (I'm just being completely honest here). Before I know it, the time is gone and it's time to start dinner. This is not always the case, but in reality, it shouldn't be this way at all.
Ryan came home the other night and asked how I was doing. I told him that I was doing alright but that I was struggling with idleness. He sort of looked at me with confusion. I explained that I didn't mean in regards to caring for him, the children, or the house, but as it pertained to my free time. Rest is good (Sweet is the sleep of a laborer Ecclesiatstes 5:12a), taking a break is fine, but what am I filling that time with.... To tell the truth: it is my fleshly desire to be mindlessly entertained.
The Solution:
Fear the LORD. The Proverbs 31 woman sets a high bar. She is not idle because she looks well to the ways of her household, yes.... but most importantly because she fears the LORD. And for that reason alone is why she should be praised.
For your entertainment:
So this video reminds me of my fleshly desires and how ridiculous they must look sometimes! Enjoy!
* As a side note:
I DO think there are benefits to facebook and blogs. I have been able to contact many lost friends through facebook and I am often encouraged towards Christ in what I read in blogs... so don't worry, I haven't gone off the deep end. Just being more disciplined as to what I read and how I spend my time.
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