Up before Dawn?

When editing the labels of my posts, this one seemed to jump forward as a new post - it is actually from a year ago, and I certainly wasn't up at dawn today!


Today's Truly Good Woman focus is Proverbs 31 verse 15. 

In the traditional King James Version it says:
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.


And in the NIV version it is more helpfully translated as:
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 


I myself much prefer the Message version as a 21st century understanding of the text:
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.

by Steve-h

And all of that is even before discussing the text! I say I prefer it as if that is what I am doing, but as I checked the sunrise and sunset times I realised that I'm certainly not achieving that accolade (5am is a teensy bit early for me - and actually I'm quite glad. So well done to her, and I'm going to focus on the preparing breakfast (cup of tea and a bowl of cornflakes - sorted!) and organizing her day.
Now I realise that I'm still living in a rather luxurious existence with it just being myself and the Hubba - but I feel this ease actually makes me more lazy. I don't get up early because I don't have to, but in terms of organisation I do like to set the radio alarm to hear the news, I set the washing machine to have finished and the bread machine to have baked - so I may not be up but the house has been for a couple of hours. The joys of modern living hey?
What do people think of this? Do you have a routine? 
A friend of mine who already had two boys recently had twins, I expect she now has a military routine. I'd love to hear what yours is, please post a comment to share.


Liz xxx

Prepared for the Weather

She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. Proverbs 31:21 The Message

No matter how little you prefer to accessorise, the winter wardrobe does demand more so than the other seasons. 


Here again, the proverbs woman gives a good example of another area of our lives. The verse doesn't talk of fashion but of a family provided for with their winter clothes.   

by Terrapin Flyer

We too can prepare our family now with their winter clothes for next year. This week I have swapped my wardrobe around to my summer selection. While doing so I have washed and stored our scarves, hats, gloves, boots and coats. In addition to this I have a bag of items in need of repair...just need to find the time to mend them now!


We can apply this to other areas of life too. We can prepare for big events in our lives. If we know something is approaching we can have some peace in knowing that we've readied our resources. For those of us with a Christian faith, we can walk with God through our event or situation knowing that he gives enough strength for whatever we're going through.


Our Proverbs woman must have felt a peace in knowing that the winter was approaching but all was ready from the year before. 

Open Arms

'She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.' Proverbs 31:20 NIV

Giving to the poor is an instruction in the Bible, but it is more than just writing a cheque. Financially giving is important, but relationships are more so. 

By Mr. Kris

In today's verse we see our proverbs woman extending herself to those in need whether they be poor, sick or old. This is about being a light to someone you know in your community. It may only be a short term need or a call of a longer duration. 


It doesn't need to be something that demands a new skill, it could be offering a skill or gift that you already have, such as gardening or giving a prepared meal. 


Most importantly listen. Very simply ask how you could be of help.

The Diligent Woman

Now, as I have gone so far as to base my blog upon the scripture of the Proverbs 31 Woman, I guess it's pretty much a given that I think she's pretty impressive. I am glad to say however, that I don't feel inadequate in comparison to her and that's not because I'm claiming I do everything she does!
My personal standpoint is that I view the things she does and achieves as examples of good practise, and I'm happy to those things when it suits me and when I can make the time to do so. I do not feel however that I am a failure if I don't spin my own thread!
I'm going to expand on verse 19 today, but in my thinking and reading about it , it got me wondering if other women felt the same confidence that I do or whether some even felt burdened by her example?
I even asked my husband what he thought about her. Interestingly he did recognise that she was busy and industrious but also felt that it's important to have time for family and loved ones, and he noted that there is no mention of a shared vision between the wife and husband.

Lise Sewing, Auguste Renoir

Anyway, what could verse 19 have to say for us today? Well, most translations say something along the lines of the Good News Version:
‘She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.’
Indicating a craft in spinning and weaving, something I don't know of many people making time for today.

Whereas The Message says:
‘She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.’
And this can mean so much more to many more of us. For instance, she's a homemaker in how she prepares and resources the living spaces of the lounge and bedrooms. Where she can she makes the curtains, cushions and blankets. She plans and prepares the meals for the household, and is organised in doing this. She puts the equipment to good use, setting the timer of the bread-maker to be ready in the morning for toast and sandwiches. Making double quantity of Bolognese or cookie mix and freezing it for another time.

Grace Communion International says:
'The example she sets is one of skill and industriousness. Whether this woman would be a computer programmer, a concert pianist, a mother, or all three, she develops her talents and hones her skills through education and diligent application.' Sheila Graham 2003.

Someone who works at being the best that they can be within their field of work is something we can all aspire to be.

Father God, I pray that you help and guide us all to be the best we can be, Amen.

Working through the night

As I am sure you have noticed I haven't been blogging very regularly for some time now. Largely this is due to life being too good! I'm very ambitious with my time, or should I say overly optimistic? I do so much, and so often things like blogging, craft or sorting out the pile of filing, end up on the back burner.
However, if you look back to see the times when I have blogged, it is often nearing midnight or in the early hours. There are those times when, I've still had so much to do and it's already late but I've been inspired to post something and so it just can't (it simply cannot!) be postponed.

Put it down to my determined nature, or could that be 'I've decided I'm going to do it, so I have to do it now!' There are many times each month when I am up late, determined to get done whatever project I am working on. This is what our scripture focus for today is talking about:
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
We also see here a woman who knows that she does a good job, she doesn't begrudge that it may take a long time, and others know they can trust that she will get the job done.

Ready for the task in-hand

I always read the scripture that I'm studying in several translations and a commentary so to get a fuller picture of what is intended for the reader. Today's reading is one which immediately meant something to me for what I am going through now, but when I read it in other translations it had a fuller meaning. Isn't that interesting? 
Look here:
She does her work with energy, and her arms are strong. (New Century Version)
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. (New International Version)
She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. (New King James Version)
The above were helpful and inspiring, but did somewhat make me think that I ought to be doing more bicep curls and triceps dips!

Whereas the following, in more simple language (what does that say?) spoke to me directly:
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. (The Message)
She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm. (Amplified Version)
My faith tells me that we all have a God given purpose. Sometimes that purpose can be difficult, even painful. Last year was really difficult for me, I almost quit teaching, but I'm glad to say I didn't. And it may sound trite but I know the experience has made me stronger.
This year has been brilliant, and although not without it's struggles, it has given me back the confidence to go forward. 
Tomorrow I am going to be jumping up in the morning, dressing for work, eager to get started for I am meeting my new class for the next academic year. I already know them and my team of colleagues so I know how blessed I am. And because teaching is teaching and all that it involves, the highs and the lows, I am praying that the Father builds with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes my arms strong and firm.
Amen. 
xxx

Not Hasty

I used to be very hasty with decision making. I didn't like the fact that a decision needed to be made and so often made it quickly to have it done with, but unfortunately it wasn't always the right decision.
I've become much more considered now, and also wait, if the decision permits until all options have been considered fully and given in prayer.
I like today's verse for the example our Truly Good Woman gives with this also. 

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.Proverbs 31:16

She is patient, considerate of the outcomes and looks to maximise the benefits. And not forgetting, that she casts her burdens in prayer and faith.

The appeal of the Exotic

Today's focus for Proverbs 31 is verse 14:

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 

So here is a woman who, with the available finance and time, will go out of her way to buy appealing quality food stuffs. I think I'm right in saying that, in the Hebrew, 'from afar' is in reference to from another country. For these good foods from afar, she would have travelled to a reputed market stocked by the well-travelled merchant ships. 

Now, I don't know about where you live, according to my blog stats you're pretty well spread out across the globe, but, here in the UK exotic food stuffs are easily accessible in most supermarkets. Also, where I live in South East London, many grocers sell the most amazing fruit and vegetables from all over the world.
To be honest, it doesn't take even too much imagination, time or money to rock on up to Sainsbury's. Instead, we seem to be living out a bizarre world where it takes more effort to buy something that is produced and sold locally.
So to spin this on its head I'm going to celebrate the woman who likes to go out of her way to buy appealing foods which end up taking her more time travelling to buy, but don't fly from across the globe with a carbon foot print to boot.
Presently, for me this could mean a short train ride to the lovely Borough market with a short and sweet visit to the Cinnamon Tree Bakery. With handmade biscuits baked in Camberwell, it's pretty local. 


Where would it be for you? 


Liz xxx

Shopping Around

Today's focus for Proverbs 31 is verse 13:

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands (NIV)

Or as translated in these other versions:

• She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. (The Message)

• She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.(NLT)

• She looks for wool and flax and likes to work with her hands.(NCV) 

• She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it]. (Amplified Bible)

• She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. (King James Version)

What a sensible person. She may have compared several market stalls for prices, or even compared prices between towns? I still find myself doing that on occasion if the particular product is stocked in independent stores. However, we have our trusty web browser to help us 'go-compare', along with also bidding on auction sites. (One of my fave's to check out regularly is http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ Martin and his team give top advice.)

Well however we shop now, we can take example from the Truly Good Woman for planning ahead and being eager to accomplish her tasks. 

I have struggled to keep the steady character, described from 'Never Spiteful', on one occasion this week when I was annoyed with the Hubba. But from it I have remembered the importance of "communicate, communicate, communicate!" The Hubba and I always do better when we talk about how things are going or how something makes us feel.

Hope you're all well, Liz xxx

Never Spiteful

Often we take it for granted that the bible has been translated into English, we take it as something old and completed. However, translating from Hebrew (for the Old Testament) and Greek (for the New Testament) into English, does give translators predicaments in losing emphasis. For instance, chair in the old Greek has about 10 different words, whereas in English it is always chair, but choosing one Greek 'chair' over another could change its meaning.
Therefore, when looking at the Woman of Proverbs 31 I have found it useful to look at the different translations through http://www.biblegateway.com/ This has enabled me to grasp the meaning more fully.
In addition to this I am using the commentary from Grace Communion International for help.

Our Proverbs 31 focus today is:

Her husband trusts her without reserve, 

   and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously 

   all her life long.

Here is a man who has been blessed with a wife who gets on with things, who works hard to organise things, who knows how to find the best bargain and who is aware and conscientious about her family's needs.

What stands out to me is that she is 'Never spiteful', and that 'she treats him generously'.

I am not in favour of pigeon holing people to set roles, and even though I love the woman of Proverbs 31, I don't even think she is about being the perceived 'perfect' 1950s housewife. When looking at this sentence, I see a woman who is confident and comfortable with what she is doing in her home and work. She does what she considers needs doing and without reserve. There is no "I am only doing such and such, because that is all they would have done/would do".

She uses her 'know-how' for the job in hand, and sees it through to the end. There is no expectation of praise or reward, but instead a humble gratification that the best has been sought, and he has been helped or cared for.

For the coming days I am going to focus my attention to 'Never being spiteful, but treating him generously.'  

When looking for a picture I just couldn't resist this hard working fellow...

Three days left for the GIVEAWAY! Please see Truly Good Woman Reviews.

Who is the Woman of Proverbs 31?

Read Proverbs 31: 10-31 

She sounds amazing doesn't she.
I aspire to be such a talented woman who keeps God in the centre, and her family so well cared for.
I look to the example she gives and yet I know that I fall drastically short. For as much as I'm loving my job I can't say that I'm eager to get started - apparently I function much better after 11am...not much chance of a start like that in teaching hey!
And, I had set out with this blog hoping to share God moments and for it to be an encouragement in how we can all be truly good woman - yet looking over my posts I see that they are 90% about food! Whereas the truly good woman is not overly preoccupied with fancy foods:

She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast 

for her family and organizing her day.

I might manage breakfast myself if the thought of it doesn't make me feel sick (it never used to, what is this?) but the most I do for the Hubba is make him his morning cup of tea, although come to think of it I do feed the cats...
Anyhow, I'm not about to beat myself up but rather look with you over the coming weeks, at the example she gives and what this might look like in our 21st century.

To help me on my way I will use the commentry of Proverbs 31 from Grace Communion International 

Who is your inspiration for a Truly Good Woman, I'd love to hear from you.
Liz xxx

p.s. don't forget the GIVEAWAY! On Truly Good Woman Reviews.