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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Proverbs 31:13-16, Day 5

bringing her food from afar. Pro. 31:14


My first inclination is to write on healthy eating. Undoubtedly, the Proverbs 31 woman provides wholesome nutrition for her family. She is willing to scour the farmer's market for the freshest fruits and vegetables and serves whole grains every day. She would not be the type of woman who uses the McDonald's drive through on a regular basis. Nor would she rely on sodium-laden box mixes to feed her family. But that was my first inclination...

Then God showed me that this verse goes deeper, referring to food for the soul. 

Busy mommies' days fill quickly with appointments, homework, baths, dinner, and work. Sometimes we get so harried that quiet time slips away... forgotten. Unnoticed. Then we wonder why the busy-ness we used to handle so well overwhelms us now. 

As our kids grow, their little personalities morph -- sometimes overnight. That sweet, social girl you tucked in last night wakes up this morning distant and unaccepting of anything you say. We suffer from mama-whiplash trying to understand it all. 

Without Jesus, the busy schedule and crazy kids are more than we can manage. Did that register? Without Jesus, we can't do it. Say it with me, "Without Jesus, I can't do it." So, why do we try?

Our friend, the Proverbs 31 woman brings food from afar. Picture her. The sun still sleeps as she slips quietly out of bed. She pulls a woolen blanket around her shoulders and tip-toes out of the room, careful not to wake her hard-working husband. She creeps down the hall, stepping around the squeaky boards in the floor and settles into her chair by the fireplace. She folds her rough hands in prayer and lifts each member of her family to the God who made them.

She prays for their hearts: Lord, let them stand strong against the battles of peer pressure, self-doubt and fear. She prays for their future: Lord, let this day be used to sharpen them for Your kingdom purpose here on this earth. She prays for their lives: God, guide them and protect them as only You can. Keep them safe in Your Arms whatever this day will bring. She has no fear. She needs no control. She has no doubt.

The food of the spirit is her family's greatest need, and she knows it. 

She closes with prayer for herself, not her selfish wants (You know the kind, "Please God, bring 100 readers to my blog today."), but to be used by Him and for Him: God, guide me today to care for my family's health. Use me to model faith and hope. Remind me when I forget that You have already blessed this day. Amen.

To go deeper, meditate on these verses:
  • Matthew 10:37-38 (ESV), "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me."
  • Proverbs 6:20-22 (ESV), "My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you."
  • Ruth 2:12 (NLT), "May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done."

Consider these questions:

Does your prayer life reflect your heart for your children, or do you need to pray more and worry less?
Do you seek God for wisdom with your family, whether in your marriage relationship, parenting, or in providing for your family (yes, that does include the foods you choose to let your family eat)?
On whose strength do you rely most each day: yours? your spouse or family? or the Lord?

Pray:

Pray for your family member's hearts: Lord, let them stand strong against the battles of peer pressure, self-doubt and fear. 
Pray for their future: Lord, let this day be used to sharpen them for Your kingdom purpose here on this earth. 
Give God their lives: God, guide them and protect them as only You can. Keep them safe in Your Arms whatever this day will bring. She has no fear. She needs no control. She has no doubt.
Prayer for yourself: God, guide me today to care for my family's health. Use me to model faith and hope. Remind me when I forget that You have already blessed this day. Amen.

Please let me know how I can pray for you. After you leave a comment, be sure to visit the other bloggers in this series:

13 Bloggers, 13 topics, One Great God.
Love,
Posted by Karen Dawkins at 8:05 AM
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