Homes and Housewives

Side note, right now I am eating strawberries that I grew in my garden and they are delicious!

Ok so we can dive in now. This has been done before but I saw a post this week on facebook that just fired me up, so I’m going to talk anyway. Bear with me. 

Proverbs 31 Woman….. First off, this passage in my opinion is written for both husband and wife. Yes, it is the example for a wife to be in the home but, it is also the guidelines for a man to look for in his future wife. You cannot expect a woman who has never cooked a day in her life to instantly provide every meal for you. Men need to look for the qualities they want in a spouse before they marry her; not expect those qualities to just magically appear. With that said, wives need to provide for their husbands while he is providing financially. If you both work that’s great, I have a job outside the home however, that doesn't mean because I’m working I don’t need to make dinner, or because he worked he can’t help me put the dishes away. It goes both ways in a marriage. One person should not be catered to. If you want that in your marriage, don't get married just stay home with your mom, thats what your looking for. Ok so I won’t rant anymore and we actually get something accomplished today. Here is the post I saw.  

(The New Hot 89.9 FM)

This is true, the home is not what it used to be. Honestly, I don't know if I want the home to be as it was in the early to mid 20th century. I have a job and I want to keep working even when Ethan and I have kids. However, I know I am not the breadwinner and I could never ask my husband to stay home while I work. It would kill him. I need to be the one who works in the home to make it a home. With that being said I have determined that the Proverbs 31 Woman in some respects is unattainable for me. Some of you may think it is possible, I don’t!. 

                Proverbs 31: 10-31 

10 Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax,

And willingly works with her hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships, 

She brings her food from afar.

15 She also rises while it is yet night,

And provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

From her profits she plants a vineyard.

17 She girds herself with strength,

And strengthens her arms.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hand holds the spindle.

20 She extends her hand to the poor,

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

22 She makes tapestry for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

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

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Ok so if you just finished that then yeah, unattainable. We have to remember that this was written almost 3000 years ago, three thousand years! That is a long time yet, the principles still apply to our daily lives. Granted not every woman can sew, or cook, or garden, but in what we can do, it should edify our lives for God and for our husbands. Now read it again, I’m sure there is something in the passage that you realized you could do, but you aren’t. For me it is providing food for my household. I used to sleep in everyday while my husband got up for work, made himself breakfast and lunch. How is this helping him? So now I get up with him, I can go back to sleep if I want when he leaves. I make him breakfast and coffee while he makes sandwiches for lunch. That’s right team effort. WOOT WOOT… but seriously I rise with him and provide him a meal. I know it sounds silly but our marriage has been even better since. He is extremely thankful for it and I enjoy the extra kisses I get for making his eggs just right. Plus, on a bad day and I do want to sleep in, he doesn't mind, he is actually even more loving in that area as well. If I say "sorry I slept really bad and need some more," he will tuck me in, give me a kiss and when I do wake up he has usually made a pot of coffee for me. How sweet! I’m sure there is another part of the passage that I could work on as well but right now one step at a time. 

You don’t have to be a Proverbs 31 woman to be a good wife, but to be a great one, you should read and apply it to your life. Husbands worry about providing for their family. The best way to serve him? Live within your means! This will eliminate the pressure on him, and will demonstrate your love for him. God didn't write scripture to degrade us but to help us on our journey to become more like Christ; and wouldn't Christ make breakfast for his bride?