My Journey...Part 5

It's Sunday night, and we haven't been home long from taking Stephen to see PlayHouse Disney Live. The show was in Greensboro, and Stephen loved every minute of it. He especially loved it when the Little Einsteins rode in Rocket. I'm sure other Moms know what I'm talking about. The picture, nonetheless, is terrible, but hey, we had a great time!
Anyways, my journey through Proverbs 31 continues. I seriously doubt if I will ever finish this. Forgive me if it's becoming monotonous. Here goes, regardless=)...
I have to add one thing to Part 4 that I left out concerning the virtuous woman and her husband. Another way that she ministers to him is through her conversation and care of his clothing. Proverbs 31:23 says "Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land." Henry writes (and this is way better than I could ever explain it), "By his wise counsels, and prudent management of affairs, it appears that he has a discreet (private) companion in his bosom, by conversation with whom he improves himself. By his cheerful countenance and pleasant humour it appears that he has an agreeable wife at home. Nay, by his appearing clean and neat in his dress, every thing about him decent and handsome, yet not gaudy, one may know he has a good wife at home, that takes care of his clothes." This is what I want others to see when they see Jeremy!
Moving on...This next section talks about her work ethic. Over the years, as I have studied this passage, I have always felt conviction. You'll probably see why.
Proverbs 31:27 says, "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." First off, this woman hates to sit still. As Elizabeth George puts it, "she never does anything sedentary." She is always busy. I struggle with balancing this aspect with taking time for myself. I also wonder about this when I consider sitting and watching TV with Jeremy a priority for "us time." See what I said earlier, this part always gets me.
Regardless, I do realize that Satan finds us something to do when we don't find ourselves something. I then question where Satan is stealing my time. Probably in the amount I spend on the computer, over thinking things, looking for "deals" and wasting more time than I do saving money, etc.
Another part of the virtuous woman's worth ethic includes when she works. Proverbs 31:18 says, "She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night." Even when night comes, work can still be done. Matthew Henry commented on this passage by saying how blessed we are to have electricity and be able to work at night. The Proverbs 31 woman had to work hard just to have "night-light" and could have easily just went to bed. That shows me how much she loved what she did. It always reminds me how important hard work is. And that is truly where I am in my
"work journey"...trying to understand what, in addition to the beautiful duty of staying home, God has for me. More to come tomorrow...Good night!=)

My Journey...Part 4 Continued-Continued! & Jeremy's Surprise!

So, you maybe wondering, why I have posted a picture of a random hotel. I'll explain in a sec.!
Okay, so I'm on the portion of Proverbs 31:11 which says, "lacks nothing of value/shall have no need of spoil." I've talked about the virtuous woman helping out by being a wise spender but this next explanation is where I've really been stretched. Here goes: Matthew Henry writes, and this is so awesome, "He (the virtuous woman's husband) thinks himself so happy IN HER that he envies not those who have most of the wealth of this world; he needs it not, HE HAS ENOUGH, having such a wife. Happy the couple that have such a satisfaction in each other!" Wow! I have to ask myself,
*Is Jeremy that satisfied with me? Do I make him so happy that the wealth of this world just becomes a bonus? If it were all taken away, would he still be happy?
Admittedly, I must answer, "probably not" to these 3 questions. Jeremy knows I love him, I'm sure of that, but I can't say that he is lavished by my love. And that's because I'm not doing such a swell job at "lavishing!" The busyness of life in general, especially with the boys, has almost forced Jeremy to sometimes take a backseat. That is SO sad! Nothing is more important, next to our relationship with God, than our relationship with each other. And it's not that we have a bad marriage; we have a great one! I just want it to be the BEST!=) I want Jeremy and I experience all that God intended marriage to be!
On this same topic, consider the following verse of Proverbs, which says "she brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." I'll try to sum this up quickly. Henry writes, "She makes it her constant business to do him good. She shows her love to him, not by a foolish fondness (affection), but by prudent (wise, discreet) endearments (affection)."
*Do I make it my constant goal to show Jeremy affection? Do I plan special things for him? Do I "study" him and cleverly create ways to show him love? Not nearly as much as I should!
Oh, and this is to be done "all the days of her life," not necessarily his. This should be seen in the legacy of our children!
So...the motel thing was an attempt at creatively showing love to Jeremy. Here's how it went:
Jeremy is driving about 45 minutes one way to work each day. It is exhausting him and getting a little old by now. Plus, the boys haven't been sleeping too well at night lately (I'm not sure why), so this has taken its toll. Yesterday, I packed up an overnight bag for both of us, a cooler full of food, some bowls and plates, and the George Foreman...enough for a small meal. I met Jeremy in Durham to go and look at more houses. Afterwards, he headed back in to work, and I secretly put his overnight bag, pillow, and a note with directions, in the front seat of his car. I then headed to Crestwood Suites (that's the picture that's posted) and began cooking supper. After following the directions I left in his car, he arrived at the motel at around 6. I had dinner on the table, and we were able to spend the rest of the night relaxing. It was less than 10 minutes from the church, so he was able to sleep in this morning. And, because I did my homework, we were able to get an upgraded room for a cheap price. It was just what both of us needed! We're already planning another one for March!
I'm really trying to practice what I'm learning, and it has been so much fun! Hard work, yes, but definitely fun!

My Journey...Part 4 Continued

I'm still sharing what I've learned from Proverbs 31:11,12 which says, "Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Maybe, just maybe, I'll finish these 2 verses tonight! Yeah Right!
Another area in which the virtuous woman's husband trusts in her takes place when they are around others. He doesn't worry about what she will say or the effects her actions will have on himself. This husband trusts his wife in public.
*Does Jeremy trust me in the presence of others? I would like to say yes, but I know sometimes I shy away from new people and new surroundings (this is not a good thing with us being at a new church and all!)
Matthew Henry also writes, "He trusts in her fidelity (loyalty, faithfulness) to his interests, and that she will never betray his counsels nor have any interest separate from that of his family." Here's another hint at my "job description:" focus on my family!
This man can also trust his wife when he is away. He can trust that things at home will be ran as well as if he were there himself. Therefore, if he must leave for business, or simply just a day of pleasure, he can rest easy that home will be just as good as when he left!
Okay, this next section, the part that explains, "lacks nothing of value" or "he shall have no need of spoil" blew me away. I am still pondering all that the Lord revealed to me through this phrase. All that to say, I will only have time to introduce it tonight. I'm so excited to share it all, though! God's Word is incredible and so applicable! Here's a start!...
First off, the virtuous woman's husband doesn't have to scrape around and search for $ because of his wife. In other words, she is not wasteful. In addition to bringing in income (I'll talk about that later), she is a saver. She is a wise spender. I assume that she's a "moneysavingmom!"=) Her work on the budget saves her husband money. Therefore, he can devote more time to his family!
Okay, I'm busting to go on, but the second part of this "no need of spoil" thing is the most exciting thing I've learned. It will take too long of a post for this, so I'll try to share it tomorrow. If not, it will be soon! Can't wait!...

My Journey...Part 4

I had to include this picture of Caleb! This is one of the reasons I am doing this study and trying to become the virtuous wife and mother God has called me to be!
Proverbs 31:11,12 says, "Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." One part of my "job description" is to seek to please Jeremy. I should take this just as seriously as if on assignment from a boss (I guess I could consider God my "boss!"). I Corinthians 7:34b says "But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world-how she can please her husband." Henry writes "Though she is a woman of spirit herself, yet her desire is to her husband, to know his mind, that she may accomodate herself to it."
*How well do I truly know Jeremy? probably not as well as I'd like to think; our needs tend to change as we grow older and mature; I need to make "studying" him (what makes him tick) more of a priority
The virtuous woman's husband has no reason to doubt her purity. He has no reason to be jealous of her.
She is not timid but humble. The virtuous woman has found that balance of meekness yet not pushover that is so hard to achieve.
Her husband trusts her. He is relaxed, and this flows over to the rest of the family.
*Does our home promote relaxation and trust? For the most part (minus when we're running out the door and late; Ha!)
I'll have to finish this tomorrow...there's so much more to learn about the trust a virtuous woman's husband has in her! It's hubby time!=)

My Journey...Part 3

This weekend has been crazy. We actually drove to Winston last minute on Saturday to show someone our house. I put it on Craigslist late Friday night, and we've already been contacted by 5 people! Keep praying!
Just a reminder that I'm still on Proverbs 31:10 in my study. It says, "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." Today's entry should conclude what I've learned on that verse, and I'll move on to the other 21! The fact that this verse asks "who can find?" clearly shows me that the virtuous woman's husband sought after her. I can't tell you how many times I used to tell the teenage girls that it was the guys' "job" to search after them; not the other way around. That's really hard for so many of us! We're go getters naturally and like to take things into our own hands; control freaks in other words!
In mine and Jeremy's relationship, however, he definitely sought after me. It only took a month, however, and I was hooked! I then have to ask myself...
*Does Jeremy consider me worth his "search?" Most of the time but not always; I tend to be self-centered at times and put my own needs (and those of the boys') above his
*How then can I change things to make his "prize" more sweet/ more like the "dating years?" A couple of my many answers were: to put him as my top priority next to Christ; see Him through God's eyes; do things that speak his love language; etc.
On this topic Henry writes, "the value which he that has such a wife ought to put upon her, showing it by his thankfulness to God and his kindness and respect to her, whom he must never think he can do too much for."
Every thing that I long for from Jeremy; all the praise that I like to hear; these things can be mine if I strive to be "worth far more than rubies" as his wife; his gift from God!

Stephen's First Bowling Trip

Yes, my journey through Proverbs 31 is still continuing, but I wanted to sway from that today and blog about today's bowling trip. Jeremy has one day off each work week. Usually he takes it on Fridays. That way, we have Friday-Sunday together. We try to spend these days doing family things since our time is so limited during the week. Our trip today was to Cici's Pizza and the bowling alley. Cici's was great, of course, but a real hindrance to my Weight Watchers! Stephen was surprised by every part of our trip, since we never tell him where we're going. When we got to the bowling alley, he saw the big bowling ball and pins poster over the door. He said, "Who are we gonna see bowl?" Jeremy and I were like...YOU! This was his first time (bowling on the Wii does not count!). We were put on a lane with bumpers and found one of those hill type things for little ones to roll the ball down. It was super fun! Stephen bowled a 71; not bad for his first time. We then played in the arcade for a little while. I thought about signing Stephen up for their bowling league but...he wasn't THAT good! Ha! Soccer in April will be enough for now!

My Journey...Part 2-Continued

For some reason, my time setting on this blog is incorrect. It's like 7am Thursday morning. I wanted to finish up last night's entry before the boys got up. I love the quietness of the house this time of the morning. Anyways, still considering the definition of a virtuous woman, I learned that she is also a woman of "resolution."
*What then, have I personally resolved to do?
Let's see: stay home with the boys, be a "wife and Mom after God's own heart," put Christ first then family, minister with Jeremy, help carry the financial load somehow (this is where I'm really praying for guidance)
Looking back at my resolutions has really re-focused my approach to each day.
As a person of "resolution," the virtuous woman "will not be frightened with winds and clouds from any part of her duty"(Henry).
*What frightens me and threatens to distract me from God's calling?
A short version of the list would be: financial pressure, other women, my own agenda, the boredom and monotony of each day
*How will I keep doing and get past these "clouds?"
My personal solution: focus on time with God and living with His joy, being a wise steward of what God has given us, keeping my focus where it should be, looking past now and considering the future
That's enough for me to take in this morning. I don't just want to learn, I want to make changes. I want our life to be effected by all God is teaching me. And to think, I'm still in the first verse of this description.=)