This week, Nina is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” at her site, Mama’s Little Treasures. She has chosen a quote from the book of Proverbs:

“In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.”
~Proverbs 31: 19 – 21~

Chapter 31 of Proverbs has always been inspiring to me and yet scary at the same time.  You read about this woman and you start singing the theme to “Wonder Woman”.  The girl had it together!  I just wonder what else she could have accomplished if she had any of our modern amenities!  Say we gave her electricity – stop and ponder what more this woman could accomplish!  WOW!

As a woman seeking to honor God at home, work and in the community,  the woman in Proverbs 31 encourages me to “go for it”.   She encourages me to turn the TV off and focus on my husband, a craft that I could accomplish, a meal that I could pre-prepare.  She is organized, focused and with it.  I want to be the same. She has time for charity and hospitality is her middle name. I can do that.  It might not be huge, but I can start small!  She reminds me of some women in the New Testament:

Luke 8:1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. (emphasis mine)

Be encouraged by the woman in Proverbs 31 and the women in Luke 8.  Start small.  Hey its January and time for resolutions and goal setting.  I’m going to read Proverbs 31 everyday for 30 days and see what areas in my life I can change to honor God.  I wonder what He will show me…

For more In other Words posts, head on over to Nina’s

 

Ruth 3:12 Although it is true that I am a family guardian, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your family guardian, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”

The time table of the Book of Ruth is very interesting.  Ruth chapters 1 and 2 take place over several months.  We get to Ruth chapter 3 and it takes place in one very long night!  This is the most important night of Ruth’s life; the most important chapter in Ruth’s life!  She just proposed to Boaz and Boaz now breaks the news to Ruth that she skipped over a closer family guardian and the guy that got skipped has to be consulted as to whether he is willing to marry Ruth and be the family guardian.

Another family guardian? Talk about bursting your bubble! Can you say disappointing?  Taking the wind out of your sails?  Who is this other guy? Can you say Boaz is great at comforting, soothing and protecting!  You gotta love him!  He has a way of putting you at ease.  “Yes, this is devastating news Ruth, but I am still going to try to be your hero.  Rest now, you’ve had a long night.”

You know, this whole scenario caused me to ponder and ask a few questions.  Can you think of times when you have been led through a circumstance and you think you are on the right path. Prayers seem to be leading you in a certain direction, you see the light at the end of the tunnel and then slam!  Out of the blue, so it seems, another obstacle, a disappointment.  Your prayer is answered in a way you were not expecting.  You had the scene all played out a certain way and God had something else in mind. 

This is when I want to shake my little fist at God and say, “NO! I wanted it to work out like THAT not THIS, which part of my prayer did you not understand!”  Okay, so maybe I don’t actually say that, but have I thought that? GUILTY!

We seem to know what is good for us and forget that God knows what is BEST:

Genesis 18:13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”

Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day. 

Esther 4:14…And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Job 1:21 “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 The questions is, who am I trusting? 

(NIV) Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

I like this verse in the New Living Translation:

(NLT) Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

Lord, may I truly trust you with all my heart and not depend on my own understanding.  Lord, I want do your will.  Please direct my paths according to your will and purpose even when I don’t see the big picture. Amen!