...continuing on in verse 13
"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands"
Wool from her own flocks - flax from her own fields...working hard with her hands. Though this woman most likely could have had the wool and flax brought to her by her servants she chose to work right alongside them. She found her labor to be a cheerful service and did so with a WILLING heart...far from being lazy! She sought all ways of doing good works, she knew what she was capable of, and though she may have broken a sweat in doing so she gave it her ALL EAGERLY...that means she had a keen immediate desire and expectancy to work...her mindset was "no time to waste!"
"She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar"
She is compared above the value of a ruby and now a merchant ship. What are the characteristics of a merchant ship? A merchant ship is built strong to weather all kinds of storms and to travel long distances - loyal and faithful to deliver! In comparison a merchant ship is no where as beautiful or glamorous as a ruby. We do not see a cruise liner, but a ship that is always working for the greater good of others. It doesn't just coast along, but will fight through all types of weather to reach the shores where it is needed. This woman didn't have the convenience of a grocery store or quick microwave meals or Easy-Mac to serve her family. Every single thing she did was with 110% effort and care - she never settled for less than the BEST to serve her family.
"She gets up while it is still dark: she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls"
Everything this woman does is SELFLESS...she sacrifices sleep in order to care for everyone including her servants! A lot of people dread the idea of having to wake up at 4, 5, 6 am, but I can speak from my experience those hours are some of my most intimate hours with the Lord. There is something wonderful about being awake while the world continues to sleep. I personally just happen to be the most productive in the early morning hours. I have less to distract me it seems. There is this peaceful hush that allows you to feel there will be no one or nothing to disturb you and in the quietness He whispers precious words of wisdom and reveals the beauty of His creation as a new day begins before your eyes. Let me tell you I have seen some beautiful sunsets, but nothing compares to the sunrises I have seen! As the sun rises and sends its rays through the morning mist...you can almost sense the world taking its first fresh breath of the day.
By the time everyone else wakes up (I am sure to the wonderful smell of a hot cooked breakfast) food awaits them. I know everyone can atest to how it is the best way to start and motivate your day. I can almost see her face and what joy it brings her heart to see the ones she loves and cares for content and happy enjoying the wonderful meal she has prepared for them and the fellowship they are having around the table. She continually seeks ways to enrich her families life and those lives around her. She is a spiritual mother to others...nurturing ALL those around her. This world is in desperate need of nurturers! We do not need to be married or have a family of our own to nurture...step up ladies...all we need to do is look around and reach out and love those around us...something so simple, yet so influential!
Proverbs 4:18 ~ The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day
"She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard."
This woman is wise and doesn't just profit her family by providing their basic household needs, but also goes out and finds a way to bring in a second income. She is wise with finances - EVERYTHING cycles back to her family - everything she does is profitable. She is on top of keeping a home (which alone is a full time job), but then continues to maintain a field AND a vineyard!
...I pray that this blesses you as much as the Lord has used it to bless me and open my eyes...more to come...
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