Saturday, April 28, 2007

Money matters and a plan to live by


Since we've just passed the deadline date of April 15th for taxes being due, I've had money on the brain a lot. I can remember once when growing up that mom said when they took their taxes to their accountant to be done, that he always filled out her occupation line as "Proverbs 31" - rather than "housewife" or "homemaker" or even "secretary." I've always thought that was pretty cool. Obviously their CPA was a Christian, and realized the value of the role mom was in day in and day out taking care of the three of us. In fact, I have been a bit disappointed every year when I see that my title is simply "music minister" or "wellness consultant" or even the dreadful "housewife." To me, the term housewife just sounds lazy. Like all we do is sit around at home, acting out the role of simply a wife - not doing much at all. OBVIOUSLY, any wife and mother knows that this is simply not the case. So I have aspired lately to live out the occupation that was assigned so thoughtfully to my mother all those years ago. And to that end, I found the following on Lisa Whelchel's website - and I just think that it is so fitting! Normally, I'm a pretty sold out believer in the good ol' NIV versions of the Bible...but Lisa's rewording of this really puts it into everyday terms that I can associate with.

Proverbs 31 (NLT)
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious
rubies.

11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. (She takes
care of her marriage.)

12 She will not hinder him but help him all her life. (There is no greater help she can offer him than praying for him daily.)
13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. (She takes time for hobbies.)
14 She is like a merchant’s ship; she brings her food from afar. (She feeds her family healthy food.)
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. (She finds time to prepare meals for her family and she is organized.)
16 She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. (She is good with finances.)
17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. (She exercises regularly.)
18 She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night. (She should take better care of herself and get the rest she needs.)
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. (This girl likes her
hobbies.)
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. (She knows how to give help, hopefully she also knows the importance of asking for
help.)

21 She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them have warm clothes. (She likes to shop.)
22 She quilts her own bedspreads. (Maybe she’s doing this with some good friends, like a quilting bee before its time.) She dresses like royalty in gowns of
finest cloth.
(She likes to feel and look beautiful.)

23 Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council meeting with the other civic
leaders.
(I bet she keeps her mind ever-growing so she can converse intelligently with her husband.)

24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. (She owns her own business)
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. (She understands the importance of laughter)
26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives
instructions.
(If her words are wise and kind then I’m sure she is in the Word daily.)

27 She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness. (She is a diligent housekeeper.)
28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” (She is a woman who breathes in the Spirit and her life reflects that.)
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord
will be greatly praised.
(She is a worshiping woman.)
31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her
praise.

Some of thse I am able to say with all honesty that I have down - I mean, what woman doesn't love to shop?!? But of course, there are many others that I will continue to struggle with all of my days. What a privilege to have such a beautiful description of a great wife and mother! May we all strive to live up to this, even though it might sometimes be a daily struggle.

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