The eyes of the Proverbs 31 woman are always looking for ways to bring her husband good. Not just on special occasions, but everyday. The world says, why should I do something good for him when he never does anything good for me. That's just it, the world says. We need to stop listening to the world and listen more carefully to what God says.
Doing something good, doesn't mean you have to buy something that's good. We need to be doing what's good. Be consistent in maintaining our homes so they are a refuge, a place where our husband's can hardly wait to be. You don't have to have a Southern Living home. We need to keep up with the clutter and make every effort to have the laundry folded, put away, dishes done, beds made, etc. when he comes home from work. If you have small kids, you're going to have toys scattered around, but that isn't an excuse to let everything else go. Believe me, I'm speaking to myself as I'm writing these things down and I don't have small kids anymore. To be honest, I make time for ALL the things I think are important, phone calls, facebook, watching TV, shopping, did I mention facebook (I know I spend way too much time on this site). Anyway, you get the idea. For some great tips on maintaining your home without losing your mind, check out flylady.net.
The MOST IMPORTANT WAY we can bring our husband's good is to be sure we have a strong foundation that is built on Jesus Christ. Even the most spotless home will be a wreck without this. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus gives us the answer for a home that is built on a solid foundation. "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his home on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
As Christians, we're told, the storms WILL come. "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) And in James 1:2-4,it says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers (sisters), whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Okay, so what's a woman to do to bring her husband good when we KNOW the storms of life will come?????? We need to spend time each day reading God's Word, or as Chuck Swindoll calls the Bible, God's Book ~ God's Voice, so we are equipped to face whatever comes on our plate. (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17) I began doing this on a regular basis about 20 years ago and my life hasn't been the same since. I started out by making a commitment to the Lord that I would read His Word for 15 minutes each morning. I found a quiet place where I knew I wouldn't be interrupted (sometimes that was the bathroom with the fan running). Ask God to help you be creative in finding that quiet place in your home and go there everyday.
For my starting point, I used the Psalms. I would read one Psalm each day. Someone also gave me some great advice. She said to read the Psalm out loud. That kept me focused and kept my mind from wandering or thinking about all the things I needed to do that day. When I came to Psalm 119, I would read only one section of verses a day. It's actually already broken up for you. I kept a piece of paper with me and each time I saw a characteristic of who God was or what He did, I jotted it down. For example, Almighty, King, made the heavens and the earth. Later I listed all the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper and would put the characteristic beside each letter. I called it Alphabet Praise. (Works great for kids too.) As I would begin my quiet time, I would take a letter and use the characteristics about God to praise Him. I would do it something like this, Lord I praise you today because you are Almighty, All I need, Alpha and Omega, etc. It was also a great reminder of who my God is and what He does. I still do this. :)
If you're not in the habit of spending time in the Word daily, don't worry. Just start today and let God begin a new work in you. It takes at least 21 days to establish a habit, and this is the BEST habit you'll ever begin. " But the man (woman) who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do this, not forgetting what he (she) has heard, but doing it -- he (she) will be blessed in what he (she) does." James 1:25 (For more verses on the benefits of reading the Word, see Psalm 119:11, 2 Timothy 2:15, Jeremiah 15:16, Matthew 4:4, and Proverbs 2:1-2,5-6.)
"Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and His strength
see His face always."
Psalm 105:3-4
Look to the LORD and His strength
see His face always."
Psalm 105:3-4
