Wisdom from the Ages

Proverbs 31: 10-31 is a passage from the Bible that is actually a Hebrew poem about wisdom. The poem describes a woman that makes very wise and loving decisions about how to live her life. She serves others, she is a business woman, she is thoughtful and the list goes on.

I want to study the traits of this wise woman found in Proverbs 31. I am a hands on learner. Reading can only get me so far. I will task myself to try all the wise things the Proverbs 31 woman does in her wise, wise life.

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I am using my New Year’s Resolution, Enrich, to act as a guide for the love and logic behind my Proverbs 31 task.  However, I’m going to need a whole lot more than love and logic to get me through the process. I am going to need a lot of faith.

Love,

Jess

P.S. How much are rubies? And how the heck do I use a spindle?

The start of a new decade. Time flies.

It’s resolution time again. But, I’m skipping the torment of a having a long list of Will Do Better At and Want To Be More.

Instead, I am adopting a One Little Word Resolution. Have you heard of those?

I guess, it’s like a word that I’ll push myself with over the next year. It’s one little word that helps unify goals.

The word I’ve chosen is ENRICH.

The dictionary definition of enrich means:

• to supply with abundance of anything desirable
• to add greater value or significance to
• to adorn or decorate
• to make finer in quality, as by supplying desirable elements or ingredients

It’s is my desire to sprinkle in the idea of enrichment as I grow in my relationship with God, decorate my home, raise my kids and cook with desirable ingredients.

Okay, okay…I’m not so perfect. I’ll give you two traditional resolutions

Want To Be More: Stylish. New eyeglasses for me this year and new summer sandals.

Will Do Better At: Reading. I hope to read one book this year without pictures.

Wish me luck and hold me in your prayers! I really hope to make a special movement in my life as I begin this new decade.

Love,

Jess

P.S. If you have a One Single Word Resolution, I’d love to hear it!