Saturday, January 26, 2008
Proverbs 31 woman - WEEKEND EDITION
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"She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking." I've decided that in honor of my birthday today, that I would put some words to some thoughts I've been having about this next verse. Of COURSE I thought "Fun verse, fun verse", but then my over analytical mind went into hyperdrive thinking about the words "hearth" and "diligent" and even "crafts". Hey, my English major mind even started wondering about "skilled", "home" and "homemaking". Before I get into this, I actually FOUND my study from 6 years ago. I did not realize it had been THAT long since I had done that in depth look at the Proverbs 31 woman for a study for a Bible study group a friend of mine and I had started. AMAZING how fast time flies. In it, I speak of small son being 6 years old....oh, my. Anyway, I found some interesting facts I just thought I'd share with you all here about the 'breakdown' of verses. This is lifted right out of my notes of 6 years ago. ***In my study, I found there were various verses dealing with several different areas of life. I have listed these by area, and recorded the scriptures I think deal with that area, however, I’m sure if you thought about it, you could come up with more. Verses About: Food: 14, 15, 16 Clothing or Dress: 13, 21,22,24,25 Character: 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Homemaking: 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 27, 29 Business or Commerce: 13, 14, 20, 24, 29, 31 Relationship with Husband: 10, 11, 12, 23, 28 It seems to me, that if you look at just the way these verses are recorded, that being a woman of character would be most important to God, then husband and family, not to mention the community. Next would be the homemaking skills, business, husband, clothing , and food preparation. This should not be taken as an order of how to have our priorities. The order of a Christian Woman’s priorities are as follows: 1. God 2. Husband 3. Children 4. Family 5. Church 6. Other endeavors (job, ministries, etc) WOW!!! Sort of a pre-cursor to the Titus 2 Woman. Maybe the Titus 2 Woman of the Old Testament??*** I guess what got me to thinking about this breakdown is that I had remembered that there are SEVEN verses, at least that I see, that deal with homemaking. WOW. Sounded pretty important for God to put it in there, huh? I also LOVE to do word studies, must be the English major/wordaholic that I am. So I decided to do this verse like I did all of them 6 years ago, only with this version. skilled - having acquired mastery or skill in something (as a technique or trade) crafts - 1. skill in planning, making or executing; 2. an occupation or trade requiring manual dexterity or artistic skill home - 1. one's place of residence; 2. the social unit formed by a family living together (and I'm sure this is the politically correct, sanitized version....wonder what the older dictionary says?? Maybe something about mom, dad, etc??) hearth - a vital or creative center (NOT just the fireplace, ladies!) diligent - characterized by steady, earnest and energetic effort (OUCH) homemaking - (1876) one who manages a household esp. as a wife or mother After I look up all the main words, then I sort of put together a little paraphrase of my own. Like this: "She has acquired a mastery of her occupation of managing her household, which is a vital, creative center of life and earnestly and energetically plans and executes these duties at her place of residence". Sounds like a full time job to me! You know, years ago, many occupations did NOT require college degrees in order to be hired. Judges, police officers......and I'm sure many other, but these are familiar to me. NOW you need at LEAST a 4 year degree to be hired by most law enforcement divisions and a judge?? GOOD GRIEF. You have to at LEAST have a law degree, not to mention the requisite bazillion years as a practicing attorney. MANY years ago, my father's father (my grandfather, but I never knew him), was the "Justice of the Peace" in the little mountain community in Kentucky where my father was raised. And I KNOW he didn't have a 'degree' in anything. SOOOO, is it possible we could 'acquire a mastery' of our CHOSEN "profession" of homemaker without going to college? How about the hallowed halls of HOME and EXPERIENCE?? How about raising our daughters to take pride in the fact that they have spent MORE years that the standard 4 for a BS, than their contemporary counterparts who have that sheepskin? Like, since they were old enough to imitate mother holding their little broom or needle until they walk the aisle for marriage.....now THAT'S the ultimate PHD, I'll tell ya!!! They have been at mom's side for a plethora of years, learning and honing the skills for a creative center that will be THEIR family home someday? I am SO dreadfully tired of the phrase "Oh, you're JUSTA HOUSEWIFE??" Like I'm married to my house?? I don't think so. We all need a quick lesson in pride of station. NOT the 'haughty' type of pride, but the knowledge that we have something WORTH something. That we accomplish more in one day's time than many of those 'professionals' out there do in a week.....or longer. And what excites me the most about this.....it's ALL GOD'S PLAN for ME. For my role as wife, mother and keeper of the home. Phew, talk about a good retirement plan, eh? Seriously, just take a moment and let all those definitions sink into your brain. Meditate on them throughout the day. How much more.....diligent.... would we be in our occupation if we took those words seriously? If we DIDN'T let the media of today snap us away from our God given professions by dangling STUFF in front of us?? By shouting the lies of the devil all over any media form?? Even in churches today. (yeah, yeah, I just went from preachin' to gettin' personal).....There is always this REASONING.....this excusing why we as women can't stay home. And don't get me started on all the reasons, but think of all you've heard..........college for the kids, the hubby left, we want vacations, the house payment, the new car, the boat, or my personal favorite "oh, I just like to spend money".....and yes, ladies.....THESE ARE IN THE CHURCH.....not my friends from the world. Maybe if we truly taught our daughters to line up their priorities correctly in the first place, instead of chasing after glory of their own.....we'd have more women fulfilling their roles at home. And actually being FULFILLED (since that's one of the 'reasons' to leave the home too.) This is the Proverbs 31 woman we're talkin' about here. Qualities we as Christian women should all be striving for and holding up for our daughters (and the rest of the world too) as virtues to be obtained. "She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking". I think I'm going to cross stitch that phrase on a plaque for all my granddaughters. So they don't forget. So I can pass on the Proverbs 31 woman desire. So they can hang it in their rooms.....inSTEAD of the Hannah Montana poster. Denise aka The Domestic Angel (I guess I've revealed my heart today, huh?) |
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Saturday, January 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
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Posted by Saturday, January 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
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