The Planning Woman

I am continuing to share my studies on the Proverbs 31 woman...

Let's take a look at Proverbs 31:13-15

Proverbs 31:13-15(HCSB)

She selects wool and flax

and works with willing hands.

 

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from far away.

 

She rises while it is still night

and provides food for her household

and portions[a] for her female servants.

Photo Credit: meditation.dmc.tv

Verse 13 & 14 are two of many verses that tells us she sews her own clothing, her family’s clothing, and even her bed linens. We know from the old testament that flax was dried and used to make linen (Joshua 2:6) and wool was spun to make yarn (Exodus 35:25) and during this day in age this is something that was necessary to do. 

In terms of today, we can look at this and know she was gifted at planning ahead. She shopped for these items and so we can know she worked hard to provide the best goods for a good price for her family. With planning ahead (because we know the flax had to be dried ahead of time before it could be woven into thread) and using her own talents as well as her own decorating skills, then she provided for her family with unique items like merchant ships would provide unique items to the ports from other countries.

Verse 15 tells us that she has servants, so we know that she has help within her household. Of course, this would be the case especially if this is the wife-to-be for a king. However, this woman is so noble and full of valor that she still wakes up early to care for her home & family. Have you ever worked for someone who worked alongside you? 

When the Hubs was manager over the shipping/receiving team at a big box store then he worked alongside his team. The team who was there had never had a manager who worked alongside of them before. Want to know what happened? He set the pace. The workers worked harder, they stocked faster, and they unloaded the trucks and got the shelves stocked quicker. Before he got that management position, then this team, of which he was a member, was severely lacking. They always ran late which cost the company more hours of pay and less hours of productivity. They would run over into hours in which the store would have customers. When they were finishing early & on time then the customers hadn't arrived yet… or the store was just opening. Therefore, it was easier to stock. So, like the example that he set for his crew members… this woman is setting the pace for her household.

I think so often we can forget that we as women set the pace and the mood for our home. That’s a big responsibility for us, but definitely not one to be taken lightly.  Not always, but often in our home… if I look around and feel like everything is spiraling out of control or chaos is rampant, it’s because I, myself, feel like I am spiraling out of control with frustration or irritation and chaos will be so apparent because I am in a place of chaos myself. This isn’t *always* the case, but I can humbly admit to you… that it does happen for me. When it does, then it trickles down to the Hubs and the kids. 

No doubt, it’s usually when we’re trying to get out the door and the dog bolts out the front door, my youngest needs a diaper change, our big kids forget something they need, I can’t remember if I turned my hot iron off for my hair, and all of this is happening while we are already running a late. I hate to admit to you, this happens more often than I care to say! Those moments are so chaotic for me and I don’t do well in chaos. Furthermore, it deeply affects my family. I have learned to be a planner so that chaos is further from my life than it used to be, but yes… it does rear it’s ugly head on me occasionally. I am a work in progress, no doubt, but I praise the Lord my life doesn't lend itself to the chaos it used to. Which makes for a happier life for all of us! 

How do you contribute to the mood of your home? Do you tend to be a planner or does chaos ensnare you?

Go back to verses 10-12
Helpful Woman

Go forward to verse 16
Investing Woman