We got the keys to our first house ever, finally! My in-laws came down on Friday and helped me empty out our storage unit. I am in love with this little house... The decor is slightly outdated for our taste (a little too much of that 70s brown). So re-decorating is all I can think about right now!
Anyways...
Okay so I love this passage. It talks about her strength, not only in character but also physically and mentally. 'Her arms are strong for her task' means that she is knowledgable in all sorts of work; upholstery, seamstressing, manufacturing, real estate, and farming. Honestly, I really feel that this kind of knowledge us highly underrated in its importance, especially in the roles of the modern-day wife and mother. As Americans, we rely on factories and manufacturing plants to supply us with furniture, clothes, and groceries. As a result, our health and quality of life suffers. The demand is high, and the quality of our food, clothes, how are houses are built, and our purpose has dwindled into something more 'superficial.' The Proverbs 31 woman eliminates the need for a middle man because she is in-the-know about gardening, investing, and importing.
Her character is a testament that we as women are supposed to be deeply involved in decisions about our livelihood. I read in a commentary that people tend be mistaken in the character of the lady of Proverbs 31. They think she is a retired, servile, and entirely domesticated woman. Not so! She is the executive decision maker of crucial details of her and her family's lives. She has outstanding abilities, and her family's social position is high...she is the portrait of ideal womanhood.
I love that this woman is a shrewd business woman. I aspire to be her in my little bubble of professionalism. I am an amateur photographer, and have been trying to get my portrait business off the ground. However, business has never been a natural thing for me. As of late, I have been struggling with being firm with my clients in my price, and services. As a result, I feel taken advantage of, and not in a good way. I wrote a fellow photographer friend, who owns his own budding business, and asked him what he has learned from these kind of situations. He told me that of course we need grace to be at hand for some people, however we as Christians, ought to be better business people than the non.
Wow! Seriously? And I was enabling people to walk all over me! I knew it made me feel like a zero, but I wasn't sure if it was actually wrong. Praise God, that we are to be peaceable, but not doormats. I've never considered myself a sucker, easily swayed, or naive...that is, up until recently. It has taken me a while to figure this out for myself, and I am so grateful that He has great expectations of me, even and especially in owning a business.
God's word and encouragement has made me feel empowered, and I can't wait to run with it!
My Savior does what is above and beyond, and He expects the same from me. May I rise to the occasion! Pray for me friends...
In Him,
C.W.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
16. She considers a field and buys it, and from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Dear Fellow Followers;
Money is an ugly thing sometimes. A wise man once told me that married couples fight about three things; money, sex, and children. And what it boils down to is that the to parties come into a marriage with their own expectations about said subjects. Most people fight about differences in what they want, and the category most fought about (at least int the US) is money.
This passage I feel re-focuses us on several factors that have already been addressed by the author of the Proverb; Trust, Integrity, and Finances.
Verse 16 is probably one of the most interesting verses to me so far.
I read in a commentary that, in the hebrew text, the word 'considers' comes from a word used to describe devising and plotting (often associated with evil actions). In order for any plan to be executed with success, it has to be planned down to every detail. It cannot be made "on the fly" as most decisions are in America. This passage talks about a woman who has discretion and wisdom in her financial role.
I find this verse interesting because it was written in a time where women were still considered by many nations to be property. However, verse 16 talks about a woman who possibly makes her own money, and contributes it to the needs of her household. 'The heart of her husband safely trusts in her,' and she can make him a vineyard!
How is this applicable for me and my husband? Well,my husband is the primary source of income, and rightly so. Finances have never been a strength of mine, however my husband has always had wisdom in this department. He is the main financier with everything so far (which I respect), and has really proven himself with our income. Even though i have no qualifying background (except being frugal with spending) he trusts me as an equal partner.
The fact that he trusts me to make decisions for the both of us makes me want to do a good job for him.
Right now we are waiting to close on our very first house. I feel that my role is to take care of the everyday things that he is away for. Especially when we move into our house, I'm going to be the primary financier for getting it in shape. It's lovely, but someone else's style is covering the walls! Also, I have been trying to get a business off the ground, my photography. Along with that, I am considering opening up a store on Etsy. I would love to be able to contribute with some of my gifts to our livelihood! It is on the horizon, but I'm waiting for God to wave the checkered flag!
Although I couldn't see it before, I now see why God has been having me put it off (besides saving for the house and the mortgage, insurance, etc). It's got to be in His time, and it's got to be something that is going to help us, and not hurt us.
I guess one thing that I need to put in here is that God has blessed my husband and I with great communication. I feel that is very important in a marriage, no matter what the decision is. If you love each other, you will be honest about your needs, wants, and expectations with each other. We consider things together, and we support each others' interests. We are open about everything, and it has really been our saving grace in hard times.
I am very excited about what I see on the horizon! Since everything is still up in the air, I don't have much to write about, only that I think that the Lord is making me aware of what could be. I have always appreciated a heads up on things.
Well, on that note, I'd better get back to household chores. We're having beef parmesan with pasta for dinner tonight!
God Bless,
C.W.
Thanks for reading!
Money is an ugly thing sometimes. A wise man once told me that married couples fight about three things; money, sex, and children. And what it boils down to is that the to parties come into a marriage with their own expectations about said subjects. Most people fight about differences in what they want, and the category most fought about (at least int the US) is money.
This passage I feel re-focuses us on several factors that have already been addressed by the author of the Proverb; Trust, Integrity, and Finances.
Verse 16 is probably one of the most interesting verses to me so far.
I read in a commentary that, in the hebrew text, the word 'considers' comes from a word used to describe devising and plotting (often associated with evil actions). In order for any plan to be executed with success, it has to be planned down to every detail. It cannot be made "on the fly" as most decisions are in America. This passage talks about a woman who has discretion and wisdom in her financial role.
I find this verse interesting because it was written in a time where women were still considered by many nations to be property. However, verse 16 talks about a woman who possibly makes her own money, and contributes it to the needs of her household. 'The heart of her husband safely trusts in her,' and she can make him a vineyard!
How is this applicable for me and my husband? Well,my husband is the primary source of income, and rightly so. Finances have never been a strength of mine, however my husband has always had wisdom in this department. He is the main financier with everything so far (which I respect), and has really proven himself with our income. Even though i have no qualifying background (except being frugal with spending) he trusts me as an equal partner.
The fact that he trusts me to make decisions for the both of us makes me want to do a good job for him.
Right now we are waiting to close on our very first house. I feel that my role is to take care of the everyday things that he is away for. Especially when we move into our house, I'm going to be the primary financier for getting it in shape. It's lovely, but someone else's style is covering the walls! Also, I have been trying to get a business off the ground, my photography. Along with that, I am considering opening up a store on Etsy. I would love to be able to contribute with some of my gifts to our livelihood! It is on the horizon, but I'm waiting for God to wave the checkered flag!
Although I couldn't see it before, I now see why God has been having me put it off (besides saving for the house and the mortgage, insurance, etc). It's got to be in His time, and it's got to be something that is going to help us, and not hurt us.
I guess one thing that I need to put in here is that God has blessed my husband and I with great communication. I feel that is very important in a marriage, no matter what the decision is. If you love each other, you will be honest about your needs, wants, and expectations with each other. We consider things together, and we support each others' interests. We are open about everything, and it has really been our saving grace in hard times.
I am very excited about what I see on the horizon! Since everything is still up in the air, I don't have much to write about, only that I think that the Lord is making me aware of what could be. I have always appreciated a heads up on things.
Well, on that note, I'd better get back to household chores. We're having beef parmesan with pasta for dinner tonight!
God Bless,
C.W.
Thanks for reading!
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