Have you ever heard this phrase? "So, honey, what did you do today?" The hubs usually asks me this question after he's put in 10 or more hours of heavy lifting at his Coca-Cola job. I have to stop and ask myself, "What exactly did I do?" Now, the hubs isn't trying to make me "accountable" to him or being accusatory. The sweetie's just trying to make conversation. Yet, I must admit, at times the question chafes. Do any of you know where I'm coming from?
Now, if I've been extremely busy, I'll give him the complete low-down. In fact, I can make the poor man feel exhausted! If I've whiled away the day, I'll be decidedly vague. If I've been downright lazy, I pretend that I don't hear him! ~ No, seriously ~ I feel extremely guilty, then angry. Angry at myself, that is. The phrase "eateth not the bread of idleness" reverberates through my brain! The accuser of my soul screams "Failure!" at my pathetic attempt of being a home school mom and homemaker. So what's a girl to do? Let's take another look at our Lady.
Keeping Watch Over Her Flock:
"She looketh well (or watches over) to the ways of her household." Even though our lady has servants to help her, she still is "actively involved in the hands-on management of her household. No one runs it for her. It's her home, her family, her household, and she considers its management an area of her stewardship."
King Lemuel's mother used the imagery of a watchman that was familiar to her son. A watchman was observant, a look-out and guarded over a city. We are to be like that watchman, always guarding, always observing, always on the look-out for our homes. Remember, sisters, we are on assignment from God to watch over our homes and the people in it. "Watch over" also means to hedge about as with thorns. We must actively guard, protect, save, guide and attend to those who are precious to us.
"She looketh well..." Sisters, this woman's serious about her role as watch-woman. She doesn't just glance over things or check the "thermostat" of her home every once in a while. She intently studies every situation that pertains to her home. She's always on the alert ~ she has her finger "on the pulse of her household."
"She looketh well to the ways of her household." This talks about the pattern of her home life. The comings and goings, the habits and activities of the people at home. "The Hebrew word for ways means literal tracks made by constant use. They're like the foot path that appears through the lawn. Our watch-woman is aware is aware of these habits and any changes in habits."
"She looketh well to the ways of her household." Remember the extent of her household? Obviously, her immediate family ~ the hubs and kiddos ~ they are, of course, her primary concern. "As mistress of her household, she also cares for any extended family members and her servants."
Keeping Watch Over Herself:
"She eateth not the bread of idleness." This Hebrew word "eat" means that our Lady doesn't choose to live a leisurely life filled with food and drink. The word "bread" is associated with sluggishness. These two words paint a very clear picture of what we as women should not do ~ we "shouldn't be content to go through life eating and sleeping." To put it simply, the Proverbs woman "is never lazy"!
The How-To's of Beauty:
1. The People ~ Our family is more important than the place we live. The place exists to serve the people. Our first concern is to care for our family spiritually, emotionally, and physically. If we place emphasis on our home first (cleaning, organizing, etc.) we will be in for a rude awakening later on in life. Consider this quote from Edith Schaeffer: "Neglected mothers and grandmothers may perhaps have been preparing for their own neglect by teaching over and over again that people's sensitive feelings, and people's need of response is never as important as clean houses, schedules, or rules and regulations." Sobering thought, isn't it?
One of the most important things we can do as mistress of the home is to pray for our family. "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city [or house', the watchman stays awake in vain." (Psalm 127:1)
2. Then the Place ~ With your family taken care of, you can turn your attention to household management. As mistress of the house, we manage many things ~ the people, the place, the finances, the meals the "maids" (the dishwasher, the washing machine and dryer, the vacuum, etc) and the clothes. Let's choose to do it ~ joyfully!
A Little Place
"Where shall I work today, dear Lord?"
And my love flowed warm and free.
He answered and said,
"See that little place?
Tend that place for Me."
I answered and said: "Oh, no, not there!
No one would ever see.
No matter how well my work was done,
Not that place for me!"
His voice, when He spoke, was soft and kind,
He answered me tenderly,
"Little one, search that heart of thine,
Are you working for them or ME?
Nazareth was a little place...
Nazareth was a little place...
so was Galilee."
~ Author Unknown ~
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