Sunday was my birthday and although, I had to work, we celebrated much of the weekend. We went to Olive Garden Saturday night. Sunday after church we we went to Cheeburger Cheeburger. Rob got me a couple of books that I had wanted. One of them was My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife by Sara Horn. I just finished the book. This is really easy read, nothing earth shattering, but I’d never really taken the time to understand what Proverbs 31 says and Sara did a great job of illustrating how she came to try and live to be the wife that God would have her to be, which I really appreciate. I started to answer the discussion questions in my notes, but then I decided to document/share them here on my blog. I hope that with these discussions you will share your thoughts as well.
#1. Read the passage about the Proverbs 31 woman (Proverbs 21:10-31) see below. What are your thoughts about the woman portrayed here?
When I read these verses, she sounds in so many ways perfect. She is smart, talented, organized. She’s a seamstress, a cook, a business woman. She does it all and she does it all with ease. WOW! What high standards for me to live up to…or maybe just strive to be.
Does she make you aspire to be like her?
I’ve always even before reading this strived to be so many of these things. I’ve wanted to learn how to sew. I’ve wanted to be a great cook and be little Suzy homemaker. I’ve wanted to have meals planned out weeks in advance. I want to have a perfectly clean house with all the clothes clean and folded. BUT, just like Sara struggles with in her story, I work a 40 hour job and have a business on the side. My kids are very busy which eats in to my time to do all these things. I’m not using these as excuses, but in many ways it’s physically impossible to do all these things, all the time.
Or do you feel discouraged before you get started? Why?
At times, especially when Rob calls me out on something, I feel discouraged. I’m not necessarily discouraged by the verses. I get upset when I’m trying to juggle all there is to juggle in life and yes, just like Sara, I want it all! I want to do all these things and I want to do them well! What’s so wrong with that?
The Wife of Noble Character
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 night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
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 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
#2. How would you describe yourself as a cook? Are you gourmet, short-order, or fast-food?I would say I’m a “good” cook. I love to try new recipes. I think depending on the circumstance I could be all three of these types of cooks. I prefer gourmet though, but sometimes I just want to get it done. With my current job, I don’t get to cook much except on weekends, but I do miss it at times.
Do you love it or hate it?
I get in moods, where I really want to cook. Other times, I have no interest at all.
What’s your favorite thing to cook?
Again, that depends on my mood. I love to try new things, new techniques, and new recipes.
Who taught you to cook?
I did a little cooking with my Granddad growing up, but really, I’ve taught myself. I was just too busy and really uninterested. I remember one time, in high school, I made my grandparents dinner and I did good. I didn’t burn it.
#3. How do you prepare to receive your husband when he walks in the door?
Again with my work schedule, I’m not home in the evenings, so I don’t get to greet him when he comes home. In between semesters my hours change and I am sometimes at home when he gets home, I greet him with a hug and kiss and dinner on stove.
Do you notice a difference with him when you’re happy or cranky?
Well, yah. Who wants to come home to a cranky wife? LOL!
What are come things you might do differently?
I’d like to first just be home when he comes home, but that’s not something I can change right now.
#4. What is your definition of a homemaker?
A homemaker is someone who keeps order in the home, from cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kids, and for the most part just keeping order in the home.
Growing up, what was your perception of a homemaker? What about now?
I was raised by my Grandparents and they both worked from home, so I’m not really sure I was aware of what a “homemaker” was until I became an adult.
Do you consider yourself a homemaker? Why or why not?
I do consider myself a homemaker, because I’m home much of the day. I do what I can to keep the household in order. Much like Sara and Cliff, I believe I share being a homemaker with Rob as he is the one at home with the children in the evenings.
#5. What tries your patience?
I used to be so easy going, had all the patience in the world. As an adult, life has hardened me and my patience has run thin. Many things aggravate me and cause me to lose my patience, like when my kids don’t do as they’re told the first time, when I have to repeat myself, when things don’t go my way, etc.
How do you typically react to things that don’t go your way? Depending on the situation, when I lose my patience, I usually roll my eyes, yell, get sarcastic, feel my neck tense up, occasionally, blow up…Not all of the above, just one of the above.
There are 40 discussion questions, so I’m going to try and answer 5 at time until I’m done. Would love to hear how you’d answer some of these questions.