I have a confession. It's not something I'm proud of, but it is something I am working on. I like television. It usually doesn't matter what is on because I get engaged in the show with about 30 seconds of watching. The show could be a pointless game show, a ridiculous "reality" show, a sitcom, or a drama I know nothing about. Since I have started my new job, I have the morning to do with it whatever I please. Instead of using it effectively, I have instead been sitting my butt on the couch and wasting away for a few hours and before I know it, it's time to get ready for work. And what have I accomplished? Nothing. The sad thing is, we don't even have cable and I still find worthless things to watch.
Last night Joel and I were going through our Bible study titled By Faith. The chapter we are on currently is titled "God Develops Fellowship For a Consistent Walk of Faith" and it mentioned in order to have that, one that have must be done is you must change your life to align it with God's revelation. One thing that must be realized is that change requires a reoriented lifestyle. It talked about how God requires us to change our lifestyle in order to walk with him consistently. It doesn't only mean we must change the things we are doing that are sinful, but also those things that are not sinful. It could be that we are spending too much time at work to spend time with our family, sleeping in whether than getting up early to study the Bible, or vegging out on the couch on the weekends rather than investing in our community. For me, I realized that I was wasting away the day that was given to me on worthless things that would not one, glorify God, and two, were not giving any results at the end of the day. For me, to be the wife I feel like I should be, for both my husband and for God, I need to be spending my time at home being more effective. I wrote down a goal yesterday that I am planning to stick to. For one hour each morning I will spend my time doing something other than watching TV or spending time on the computer. I wanted to see how much I could really get done it that hour.
This morning I woke up at a decent hour and sat and did watch the news, but only for about 10 minutes. I was determined to have a meaningful day. After those few moments, I opened up my Bible study and did a portion of it. Soon after, I turned the music on in the apartment, set my kitchen timer to one hour and took off. I didn't clean one whole room for the entire hour. I cleaned the kitchen some, and when I got tired of that I moved to the living room for a while. I also worked on the bedroom a little. My tummy was ready for breakfast so I fixed a bowl of cereal, stopped the timer and sat down for the time it took to eat, then was up and at it again. I got the living almost all the way clean, the laundry folded and put away, and started a new load. It is amazing what can get done in a hour when you put your mind to it! I even went over an hour. The timer went off I finished hanging up the clean clothes. I didn't work much past the timer, but still some. I cannot wait to see what can be accomplished in the next days and weeks with this plan. One thing's for sure, I won't feel like a bum when I get home from work and see what was done earlier in the day.
"Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper."
Proverbs 13:4 (NLT)
Proverbs 13:4 (NLT)
The Woman Who Fears the LORD
10[d](P) An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than(Q) jewels.11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.12She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.13She(R) seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.14She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.15She(S) rises while it is yet night
and(T) provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.16She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.17She(U) dresses herself[e] with strength
and makes her arms strong.18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.19She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.20She(V) opens her hand to(W) the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.21She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in(X) scarlet.[f]
22She makes(Y) bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is(Z) fine linen and(AA) purple.23Her husband is known in(AB) the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.24She makes(AC) linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.25(AD) Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.27She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.28Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:29"Many(AE) women have done(AF) excellently,
but you surpass them all."30(AG) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.31Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
She is far more precious than(Q) jewels.11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.12She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.13She(R) seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.14She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.15She(S) rises while it is yet night
and(T) provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.16She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.17She(U) dresses herself[e] with strength
and makes her arms strong.18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.19She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.20She(V) opens her hand to(W) the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.21She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in(X) scarlet.[f]
22She makes(Y) bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is(Z) fine linen and(AA) purple.23Her husband is known in(AB) the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.24She makes(AC) linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.25(AD) Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.27She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.28Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:29"Many(AE) women have done(AF) excellently,
but you surpass them all."30(AG) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.31Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
I hope to be a Proverbs 31 Wife. This is just a tiny step towards that.
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