FAITHFULLY FULFILLING YOUR PURPOSE
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:27-28, ESV
Theme: Hardworking, caregiving, Godly people are an example for all those around them.
HOUSEWORK
It’s not glamorous running a household. Laundry, dishes, sweeping, cooking, setting a table, paying bills, and grocery shopping keep homes running smoothly. Behind the scenes in every home is someone who manages seemingly unimportant tasks. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23, ESV). In the repetitive and sometimes mindless tasks, we can find communion with God, or we can find monotony. In the hurry to get necessary things done, or the frustration at our lot in life, we may miss the lessons God teaches while we work. Everyone faces housework – picking up clothes, mowing the yard, packing a suitcase, cleaning up a spill, repairing the drip, making lunch – the part we get to choose is our attitude and purpose while doing it.
A SHINING LIGHT
The woman in today’s Scripture “looks well to the ways of her household.” She takes care of the tasks without complaining. The work is taken care of—maybe she does it or maybe she manages it—but either way, when she completes the task, both her children and husband “call her blessed.” I always read and thought her children and husband “called her blessed” meant they were saying “thank you.” Possibly because “her husband praises her.” Completion of household duties makes them thankful, yes, but seeing solid character traits borne out of accomplishing chores cheerfully is admirable. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, ESV). Every task is an opportunity to shine a light or throw shade.
BLESSED
Not only children and husbands see the fruit of a hardworking, godly, caregiver. The same light shines in nurses who care for patients well. The same cheerful, unaffected attention may come from a server or a friend hosting a meal. It comes from providing for simple household needs without letting worry and struggle cloud out the sense of God’s presence and purpose. We don't have to be idle to experience God’s blessing and favor, thus like the woman in Proverbs 31, even in the process of completing menial tasks, we may become blessed.
Make It Personal: Think about the people who take care of your regular needs. What about them do you appreciate? How can you allow God to bless you as you perform housework, yard work, schoolwork, chores, or other tasks you might not consider important?
Pray: God, thank You for Your constant Presence. Thank You for the opportunity to care for those around me. Help me to be a shining light, seeing every moment as a divine assignment and a chance to reveal Your glory. Give me the wisdom to follow the example of the wise woman in the Scripture, not becoming idle and not becoming bitter, either. Thank You for providing a way and walking with me through it. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Proverbs 31:10-31; Matthew 5:15-16
Weekly Memory Verse: “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Ephesians 6:2-3, ESV