Scripture
"She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes". (Proverbs 31:20-21 NLT)Be A Blessing
The virtuous woman cared for other people as well. She doesn't have the attitude of "as long as me and mine are good then I don't care about anyone else"
She helps, when she is able to help. When God blesses her, she knows that is an opportunity to bless others.
Helping doesn't not only mean financially, but help can be given physically, emotionally and spiritually. You can give your time, advice, a listening ear, a hug, or whatever the individual may need. Jesus had a heart of compassion, always loving, healing, teaching and feeding people spiritually and with actual food. This is how we ought to be having a heart for people, not thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought.
Help Comes In Many Ways
This marriage blog is a way of helping the needy, I am trying to help couples with the things I wish I'd known sooner or the things I learned along the way. I said, that to say you can literally use anything to extend a helping hand. Don't give for a pat on the back, give because you know it pleases God! Don't give reluctantly or under compulsion, give because it is in your heart! Try to be cognizant of others. Be intentional about being a blessing to someone else.
Scripture
"Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." (Galatians 6:7-9 NLT)
Harvest Time
The virtuous woman knows she will reap what she sows. In Proverbs 31:20, when the winter storms come literally and figuratively, she knows her family will still thrive. She knows she has been a blessing to others in their time of need, so God will bless her in her time of need. She doesn't need to worry, because she knows what she planted and knows it will be harvested. She prepared in the previous scriptures by never allowing her hands to be idle, by planning, by getting her business in order, by giving to the needy, by making clothes and knitting late into the night. Now it is time for her to see the fruits of her labor. She knew a storm was coming, but didn't fear. She did what she needed to do and she has full faith in God. She labored all year long knowing the winter was coming, she has nothing to worry about.
Personal Message
My dad always told me growing up, "if you stay ready, you won't have to get ready". He was teaching me to always be prepared. He'd make us carry a jacket even if it were hot outside, and sometimes I'd have an attitude. But I remember being out late and the jacket coming in handy more often than not. He always told me to carry a small amount of cash. This came in handy, when there would be a hold on my card for whatever reason. It's like health insurance or car insurance.
Don't Give Up
You may not fully know what you're preparing for or what lies ahead, but your preparation won't be in vain. God said in the Galatians scripture, "Not to get weary in doing good, for you will reap a blessing if you don't give up." Don't you think that the Proverbs 31 woman was tired. I'm sure she wanted to give up and say you know what this is too much, I am not seeing the fruits of my labor what's the point. Instead of giving up, she gave more. She gave more time, more love, she stayed up later, and she worked harder knowing God keeps his promises. In verse 20 she begins to reap some of the harvest. All this to say, don't give up! You look around at other women doing things against the bible. Looking over there the grass may even appear greener, they look happy and it looks like everything is working out in their favor. But Satan is the master of deception, their grass may be green right now, but it will eventually turn brown. Satan wants you to look over there and give up on trying to do things the right way and adopt some of the negative behaviors. Don't give in, you will reap whatever you planted, good or bad!
Personal Message
I have planted good things in my marriage and I have planted bad things before. I have planted good things and turned to bad things,when I didn't think the good worked as well! I am a testimony as to you reap what you sow. I planted anger, attitude, irritability, name calling, defiance, cursing, and unforgiveness in my first two years of my marriage and I reaped all that came with it. In the last two years, I've been planting love, patience, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and gentleness and now I am harvesting all the good I have planted. Think about an argument where you started off trying to do be kind and not get angry, but when you see that the other person isn't deescalating quickly enough, you decide if you can't beat them join them. Honestly how do those arguments turn out? So if you take that approach in marriage, how do you think it will turn out? As the new year begins change some of your negative ways and watch what you begin to harvest!
Prayer
God you care for the needy, so I know I am called to care for the needy! Thank you for blessing me and constantly supplying all my wants and needs. God help me to be better and help me to think about what I am planting. Thanks for being not only loving but for being just. As you work on me, God I ask that you make my man into who you want him to be. I love you!
Amen
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