19. In her hands she holds the distaff, and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

The wise woman of Proverbs 31 is a hustle-and-bustle merchant by day, and an artisan at night by lamplight. She is always taking advantage of opportunities to spin fibers for clothing for her family, to invest her money, and to prepare for harsh weather and days ahead. I think it should be realized that she seizes every opportunity that comes to her, and that she more importantly makes opportunities to get her work done.

The description of the woman in Proverbs 31 keeps coming back to a main characteristic. In all she does, she is wise. All of her skills stem from wisdom, and she is a servant with those skills, happily using them to enhance the quality of life for those around her. Having free time is definitely considered a luxury that most Americans seek after. It's nice to watch a movie, read a book, or pamper yourself for a day. While it is good to stop and smell the roses every now and then, one shouldn't seek after idle time very often.

Idleness is what today's verse broaches on. The mention of our lady using the distaff and spindle refers back to verse 18 where it says, "she sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night." Most people have probably heard the saying, "Idle hands are the devil's tools." This is a warning that if you aren't doing something useful and constructive with the time that is given you, you are susceptible to sabotaging the good things you have. If a woman's hands are idle and if she is not engaged in worthwhile, constructive pursuits, nothing good can stem from it.

Reading and writing out these validities is definitely easier than doing them. Right now my attitude could very easily be (and at times has been) passive. My husband is away at work for about 10 hours a day, and I have been just staying at home. There are times where I'll decide that I am going to work on something, but then I watch t.v. instead. There is nothing wrong with watching t.v., but it can easily be used to interrupt productivity. There are things I want to do for us like getting the decorating in order, and building a home office. Gardening was on the list for this year, but we moved into our house so close to the fall that I won't bother until the spring. But we need to chop wood and clean out the fireplace, and get to getting on the office organization.

Sometimes I feel myself fighting it. Sometimes I fail at winning against myself. One thing I know, though, is that every time I finish a task on my list, only good comes from it. I helped out my husband, I pushed us a little closer to our overall goals, and my self-confidence gets a boost from the accomplishment. Why should I worry about getting in spare time? God has always provided that for me at times that I was overwhelmed with how much I had going on. He is such a good God, and He doesn't expect me to work myself to death. It's my attitude that needs to be kept in check.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I war with true, biblical submissiveness. I am a 20-something, married for just over a year, and living in a free country. Those are all great ingredients for a hard-headed, super-independent feminaze who worries about being oppressed by her engagements. The reality is, I am the farthest thing from oppressed. I may not be rich, but we can pay the bills and afford things. I may not be a traveling the globe, but my own little world is a thing of true beauty and bounty. I may not have all the camera equipment and social life I could dream of, but I never want for anything, and I have such rich spouse, friend, and family relationships. As it stands, I will not be put in jail or killed because of my "religious" beliefs in this country. My life is so blessed and it is sad that I have such a pathetic attitude about it sometimes. Who am I to say that I am too important to work on something? Who am I to be so entitled as to think I deserve everything I want?

A marriage is supposed to be one of mutual submissiveness to the roles God has given each spouse. No matter what the circumstances, I know I need to uphold my end of the deal. Pray for me this week, that I may be helpful, respectful, productive, and reverent to God, and to my husband.

Thanks,

C.W.