“This past year went by so fast” she thought to herself as she folded another load of laundry rising early to start her day. Her kids were still all nestled in their beds sleeping soundly for a few more minutes. The stillness of the morning brought her to a place of reflecting on the season of her life being plump full with driving kids to activities, working long hours and the household duties that seem to be always waiting for her to complete. Her thoughts then went to her husband and children, how blessed she was to have a household of children to care for and a loving husband by her side, wondering “How do I protect my children from living of the world, how do I parent them through hardships, and how do I live my life to be the best example for them and the best wife to my husband and honoring God through all of it?” Wrestling with this, she started feeling the burden of everything on her shoulders finding herself down the road of heaviness and exhaustion. The darkness that came at that moment overshadowed her joy and gratitude for what God had placed in her hands. We all, for one reason or another, find ourselves overburdened with the worries and circumstances around us, not sure what to do next, striving to fix all the brokenness in this world then coming to the end of ourselves, wanting to give up. Sometimes these moments come after there is a break through or God has done a great thing. Elijah went into hiding, fearing Jezebel and asking God if he might be allowed to die after proving Baal was a false god to all the people of Israel and the prophets on Mount Carmel and then believing he was the only prophet of Israel left. (1Kings 18-19) What about Jonah who ran the other direction when God wanted him to go to Nineveh, was in the belly of a fish for three days, finally came to obedience but, was not happy when the people of Nineveh repented, became angry with God for the mercy shown toward them and pleaded God to take his life? (Jonah 1-4) Frustration, self pity, discouragement and anger may fall upon all of us, yet again we are restored when we lean on God to make it through the rough times even when it may be easier to just give up. I pray God will transform our hearts this New Year, from brokenness to renewal in Him.
The dawning of this New Year will bring about a renewed heart when you focus your mind on the things of heaven.
Being a woman in today’s times can be difficult, juggling everything from one hand to the other. Women who have gone before us know the struggles very well. What are we able to glean from Proverbs 31:10-31? These verses apply to all women – whether you are single or married with/without children in your homes. Take some time and meditate on these verses asking the Lord to reveal the truth to you. Knowing the Christian life will require much from you, but one thing is for sure, it does not put upon you anything that is beyond what Christ, himself, did for you on the cross so I pray you do not merely look at the verses as a burdensome responsibility that you cannot live up to. You just might be surprised of what the Lord opens your eyes to see through Proverbs 31.
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. (Proverbs 31:10)
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. (Proverbs 31:11)
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:12)
She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. (Proverbs 31:13)
She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. (Proverbs 31:14)
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. (Proverbs 31:15)
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. (Proverbs 31:16)
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. (Proverbs 31:17)
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. (Proverbs 31:18)
She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. (Proverbs 31:19)
She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:20)
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. (Proverbs 31:21)
She makes the bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. (Proverbs 31:22)
Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. (Proverbs 31:23)
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants. (Proverbs 31:24)
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. (Proverbs 31:25)
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. (Proverbs 31:27)
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. (Proverbs 31:28)
Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” (Proverbs 31:29)
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31.31)
Wishing you a Blessed New Year with Hearts broken wide open to receive Him!