Inspired or Discouraged?

In the past when I read about the Proverbs 31 Woman, I would get discouraged.  After going down the list of all that she did, I became exhausted too!  I would read it and wonder how many cups of coffee she downed before her kids woke up.  This woman began her day preparing breakfast for her family before dawn! Let me repeat, before dawn.  The only thing I like doing before dawn is pulling the covers up to my chin and rolling over. Then as you read on in this passage, our Proverbs 31 Woman spends the rest of her day as a seamstress, farmer, real estate agent, property manager, adviser, not to mention wife and mother too. Phew!

I think so many of us ladies read about the Proverbs 31 Woman and feel the same way.  We get discouraged because we don’t live up to her.  We become envious because she is doing so many things that are big and exciting.  I don’t see any passage where it mentions how many times she asked her kids to make their beds or how many times she effortlessly refilled a sippy cup. No, this woman is out buying a field, planting a vineyard, even making her own bedspread!  A wonder woman doing BIG THINGS!

But really, when you dig down a bit deeper, we discover she’s loving, kind, hardworking, energetic, and resourceful. That doesn’t sound discouraging does it? When you take a closer look, past the actual activities and see the qualities that produced her actions, it is inspiring!  And then I realized, I do not need to be making my own bedspread (bless) or planting my own vineyard (I can barely keep up on weeding my garden boxes).  No, I needed to see the bigger picture of who the Proverbs 31 Woman really is…

First of all, she is a picture of the qualities that make up a faithful, compassionate, purposeful woman of God.  She is inspiring to married and single women alike.  Also, it should be noted that this section of Scripture is not just for the ladies, guys can learn from it too!  The Proverbs 31 Woman is a good model of what single, godly fellas should be looking for in a mate.  (“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 NIV)  So let’s dig in and break down what makes this woman so special… 

The Proverbs 31 Woman is trustworthy, kind, and loving towards her family.  Her husband can trust her and she is always looking for ways to bless him (vs. 11-12). She makes sure her family is prepared for the day ahead (vs. 15).  This inspires me to make sure I send my family out the door each day with some fuel in their tanks and a travel mug of hot coffee for the husband. (Listen, I am not up when the rooster crows but I do get up a few minutes earlier than my gang.  It takes a couple minutes to toast up some bread! LOL!).  Also I don’t want to send my gang out grumpy, downtrodden, or crying but in good spirits, ready for the day.  And believe me, I have had a kid walk out the door with tears in her eyes more than once.  I don’t know anyone who wants to start their day that way! So I am working in this area, with the grace of God, to extend grace to my family at 7:49 in the morning when we are in crunch time. 

Next we see that the Proverbs 31 Woman is resourceful, hard-working, and strong.  This woman is out there, each day working hard, making wise decisions, and eager to complete the tasks at hand (vs. 13, 17, 18, 27).  Now for those of you who work full or part time jobs, this could mean doing your job to the best of your ability, remembering that the work you do is for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23).  The Proverbs 31 Woman didn’t have the blues Sunday evening about having to go to work early on Monday morning.  Nope, she was out there, getting the job done (vs. 17)!

The same is true for those of us ladies who stay at home.  The Proverbs 31 Woman wasn’t lamenting the piles of laundry she may have faced that day, or wondering how many more toys she could cram into the closet without an avalanche taking her out.  (Oh wait, that is me!) I need to remember the energy and strength she modeled when I am feeling overwhelmed and flat out tired at the thought of folding up another basket of clothes.  I need to give myself the same advice I gave earlier, remembering that what I do around the house, I need to do it as if I were doing it for the Lord and not my family.  It seriously changes the way you look at everything you do! Would I put Jesus’s clothes away neatly in His dresser or just leave them in a heap on top for Him to put away?  See, it makes a difference ; )

Another quality of the Proverbs 31 Woman is compassion.  Not only does she help the poor and needy, but she loves them.  “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” Proverbs 31:20 (NIV) It’s a wonderful thing to give your time, efforts, and resources to the poor.  It is a beautiful act to show the love of Jesus to those in need.  And sometimes, it may not be a “financial” need but a need for love, encouragement, or a need to have someone to just listen and to pray with you. 

What else can we learn from the Proverbs 31 Woman? Well, she is thoughtful with her words (vs. 26).  When she speaks, it is with wisdom.  When she gives instruction, it is with kindness.  She’s not barking orders or yelling.  You guys, I’m still needing God’s help with this too.  I don’t know about you but if I have to repeat the same request to my kids more than twice, I get frustrated.  Or when I am trying to work through a teachable moment, trying to instill in them a Biblical lesson, and then someone burps (or worse, c’mon, you know what I mean!) I get discouraged. Then the kids chuckle and all seriousness is lost.  It kind of makes you lose the idea of kindness for a moment.  Am I right?  I’m thankful that God is not done working on me and showing me how to handle these moments better, with kindness, grace, and yes, humor too.

So what is the end result for our Proverbs 31 Woman?  What is the great reward for her life lived with faith and purpose? Well let’s see…  Her husband and children praise and bless her! “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:29 (NIV) I’m not too sure about you but I would consider it a high honor for my family to say that about me.  Being considered a “noble woman” would be quite the compliment! But that’s not all, the accolades keep on coming for our Proverbs 31 Woman as this section of Scripture wraps up… “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Proverbs 31:30-31 (NIV)

Sounds like pretty good stuff to me!  But how about you?  Are you still feeling like you are not enough when compared to the Proverbs 31 Woman?  Feel like you don’t even come close? Well, I have good news for you – that’s ok! The Proverbs 31 Woman is our inspiration.  We are focusing on her qualities and not the handmade bedspreads, business savvy, or pre-dawn meal prep.  We are zeroing in on her life that was lived purposefully and faithfully. 

Let’s not forget too, that God’s it is grace that covers us. With Jesus, we are enough!  It’s by God’s love and mercy and strength that we can go through our days, relying on Him when we miss the mark.  Because we will, at one time or another.  I’m so encouraged when I remember that when we mess up, when we have fallen short, Jesus is there.  He fills in the gaps and fills us with His love and power! Ladies, don’t be discouraged by that Proverbs 31 Woman, be inspired! 

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Post by: Marcy Gates

All the Small Things

Noah and the ark, Moses and the burning bush, Abraham and Isaac, David and Goliath, Daniel and the lions, Shadrach Meshach and Abednego in the furnace... The Bible is full of these big, amazing stories, Old and New Testament alike!

I remember a story a missionary recounted when I was younger, sitting in church one evening. The missionary described a young girl from a foreign country who was demon possessed. He told us about these horrific inhuman screams that would come from the girl at all hours of the night and day. But, God used this missionary and his team to cast out the demon and heal the girl! A real modern day Bible story!

I have heard several more stories over the years, stories that excite me, stories that show just how powerful and glorious our God is! God is amazing and He uses us to do these BIG, amazing things! A privilege for sure.  Along the way though, I realized, I let myself believe the lie that if I wasn’t doing great big things for God then I must not be significant enough. Have you ever struggled with these feelings?

There are some amazing women of God who have set up these beautiful spaces online. I “follow” some of them because they have great big hearts for God and His kingdom and they so encourage me. They have grand influence and beautiful Instagram accounts. These ladies preach fantastic messages that speak right to your soul. Some own/run a business while raising children. These women are saving girls from sex trafficking, housing and teaching single moms and their babies in Kenya, holding 3 day conferences to pour into thousands of women or writing books. They are doing B I G things! I am thankful for their obedience and allowing God to use them. But if I am honest right now, I allow these things to make my life feel small. Have you ever allowed others to make you feel small?

I read these great big Bible stories and look around at all these women writing books and selling beautiful things and tell myself, “Well, I am just a mom.” Or, “I am just a wife, I just lead Bible study, I just have this small home...” And it can make me feel like I’m not doing enough. Have you believed that lie too? That you are “just a”... mom, wife, teacher, barista, etc.

Friends, I’d just like to inspire you today! If you have felt these feelings and thought these thoughts, I want to encourage you with some truth! God sees you. He sees you and He calls you good. He sees all the “small” things, that others don’t always see and He calls them good!

I want to share this passage of scripture with you today. It is one you are likely very familiar with, so I would like to encourage you to read it differently this time. You have probably heard it referred to as “The Proverbs 31 Woman” and I think sometimes our culture can look at this as a “to-do list”. But, today I want you to read it the way it was meant to be read, as a beautiful poem that celebrates all the crazy-hard, beautiful things we do as women.

The Virtuous Wife

Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax,

And willingly works with her hands. 

She is like the merchant ships,

She brings her food from afar. 

She also rises while it is yet night,

And provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.

She considers a field and buys it;

From her profits she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength,

And strengthens her arms.

She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night. 

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hand holds the spindle.

She extends her hand to the poor,

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

She makes tapestry for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (NKJV)

All of these crazy-hard, beautiful things point back to God, you see it near the end, “But a women who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” The virtuous wife, she cares for her family and so do you! She cares for others and so do you! She is careful and diligent about her words, her work and her purpose and so are you!

You see, all these “small” things, they matter to God.

He sees you when you are scrubbing the dishes and folding the laundry.

He sees you rise early for a moment’s peace before the day begins.

He sees you and every meal you prepare and spread out for your family.

He sees you in the late nights, the sleepless nights, the prayerful nights.

He sees you put your needs aside to listen to a friend or co-worker.

He sees you when you serve in the kitchen, in children’s church or for the pregnant momma’s.

He sees all the “small” things and He calls them GOOD! Stop thinking that you aren’t doing enough because you are doing exactly what God is asking of you.

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 1 Corinthians 12: 12-14 (NIV)

All the crazy-hard beautiful things, the waking up each day and pushing through to the end, it is all Kingdom work. It is all important. It is ministry and it is good!

Praise God for all things!

Praise God for the crazy, big, amazing things and encourage 

those parts of the body who have been sent out.

Praise God for the crazy, “small”, amazing things and encourage 

those who have been called to stay.

Praise God for the parts of the body who do both!

You see God cares about it all! If he didn’t care, then we toil in vain. But it is all to His glory! You are doing the good things God has called you to. Right now. Today. So, keep on keepin’ on, friends! God is so good! 

Post by: Jimmie Lee DiIanni