I grew up primarily in rural Oklahoma communities. People valued family, God, and hard work. These were farmers and ranchers, small business owners and teachers, and they knew the value of being a person who worked diligently and competently. I can remember hearing older people make the comment, “She’s a worker, that girl” about women I knew and, even as a young child, realizing it was the highest compliment they gave.
I imagine our Mrs. P31 would have received that praise.
She rises while it is still yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:15-16, 24, 27
Today, we have so many ways to squander our time … so many opportunities to “eat the bread of idleness.” From the internet to the hundreds of channels on TV, we can spend our days in front of screens and never accomplish one thing of purpose.
This trait of industriousness is a key factor in developing the character of Mrs. P31. After all, she stayed so busy she didn’t have time to waste on meaningless things like gossip. I’m certainly not advocating that we all are expected to become businesswomen and manage companies or home businesses … but I do believe we are all called to the very high privilege of “looking well to the ways of our households.”
Today, will you choose to be industrious over idle? Will you use your time well to bless your family?
LOVE THIS POST – I was just thinking what would the P31 woman look like “today” (cause servants, merchant ships, and land selling aren’t top on my list) – but idleness .. well, that’s gotten worse / easier to indulge.
Thank you for being the confirmation I needed to “read” this morning that my heart is heading in the right direction!
Thank you, Stef! And yes, that idea of idleness … that can pierce our hearts, huh?
Earlier this week, I studied in 1 Thessalonians, Ch 5. Your post reinforces the messages there to “not be like others who are asleep” and “urge brothers, warn those who are idle.” Verse 19 sums it up, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.”
Thanks for the great post. Could it be God is telling me to keep moving forward?!
Jeanette, now I need to go read 1 Thessalonians 5! I think the message for all of us is to be aware and use well the time we have. Thanks for commenting!
Teri Lynne ~ This post was very convicting for me! For a girl who’s been burning the candle at both ends for over two years, I sometimes find myself being busy but not productive. Love this post! :-)
Stephanie added an end note I can sign my name to. You focus on such a valuable truth in not being “idle.” I need to keep praying daily for God to steer my time and energy. Just because “modern distractions” aren’t named in P31 doesn’t mean they don’t apply. Thanks TL!
Great reminder! Obedience has two sides; what we need to do and what we need to stop doing. Like dieting as we add the ‘good food’ and subtract the ‘bad’. It might be easy to make a list of what we will, by faith, accomplish today. It might be helpful to also consider what we will determine not to do in order to redeem our time.
Thank you for this timely word.
I come from farming families too, so I totally get that respect of a strong work ethic! And we can see it’s godly, too. Great distinction from “idle,” “busy” but not productive, and working well for our families and our God!