a price above rubies .9

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

Proverbs 31: 18

perceive. to realize or know something. to become aware of a fact.

merchandise. gain or profit. trading goods and/or services. 

candle. light. illumination that is required for her to complete the task.

night. the time of darkness at the end of the day. 

But also a season. 

Have you ever thought of night as being a season? 

Do I know or realize that the gain or profit acquired by my hand for my family is good. and necessary. and I must do my best? Sometimes doing what is best for my family does mean that I must stay up past the setting of the sun. and not just stay up but  accomplish my task before I lay down to rest. 

But beyond my daily tasks [that sometimes seem mundane but are really what my children will look back on and remember as their childhood {just think about what you remember the most from your childhood}], does my candle continue to shine during seasons of darkness?

Does the light of Mommy grow dim when I am stressed? Does the candle of Wife flicker went we meet an obstacle in our path. or is that when I cling to God more so that His light can make my life shine even brighter?

[sadly, I know that all too often my candle has gone out by night.] And this is the heart issue.

Am I willing to see that the work of a wife & mother is my treasure? here on earth but more importantly in heaven. It is good. God gave it to me! 

And when the shadows come and even in the midst of a season of darkness, does my candle go out?

her candle goeth not out by night.

~ ~ ~

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 

Proverbs 31:10

the series

in EVERYTHING

give thanks.

Giving thanks. This is a conscious effort that I am praying to make a way of life. He cannot take my thanks from me. I must give it to Him. 

If I am trusting God, why would I not give thanks to Him? He has given me so many promises. And I am beyond unworthy. 

this Life. 

my own. my husband's. children. friends. family.

give thanks.

eternal Life.

salvation. through Jesus only. There is nothing I could ever hope to try to do to gain Heaven. or His favor. ever.

give thanks.

family.

parents. brother. grandparents. cousins. 

husband. children.

give thanks.

work.

the ability to do so. my husband's job. income. the opportunity to teach my children.

give thanks.

friends.

near or far. just a phone call away.

health.

love.

possessions.

intelligence.

give thanks.

I will never give proper praise for all He has given me and done for me. Even the frustrations of life are for a purpose. To make me stronger. To show me just how much I need Him. To teach me to love the unloveable. To show me how I need to change to be more like Him. To remind me that life is not about me. 

When I have a proper view of Who God is and who I am... giving thanks WILL BE a way of life. 

These are just some thoughts I have had the past few days and have finally taken the time to write some of it out. Thankfulness is often a difficult sentiment to express beyond

thank you, God. 

You love me and that is more than I could ever ask for.

And in learning and applying thankfulness, I pray I become just a little bit better at being that woman God created me to be for my man.

what am I leaving behind?

This is a poem my Granny sent my mother long ago... and in turn, my mother gave it to me-written in my granny's beautiful hand... though the ink has faded to nearly unreadable. 

The gift is not in the paper but in the thought behind it. and the time taken to pen it. and the time taken to teach and pray. Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Granny. 

A gentle reminder to each of us that the most important parts of our children's lives are not gained by being able to buy everything we see but in taking the time to be a part of their childhood and SHOWING [not just verbally teaching] them about God and His love for them and their whole family.

Have a blessed day.

a price above rubies. 8 [guest blogger]

WELCOME to Angela from

Hidden Treasures

I asked her if she were willing to choose a verse in Proverbs 31 to expound in a modern way, and she graciously consented to write about verse 16. Angela is a sweet Christian lady who writes...

~~~

Strengthening Ourselves for the Work

Proverbs 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 

We know that Proverbs 31 is not talking about any one woman in particular. Rather it is talking about the ideal woman. The "virtuous woman" is a measuring stick by which we measure our own selves. Do you want to be a virtuous woman? I do!

The best part of Proverbs 31, in my opinion, is that it was written by Solomon who wrote what was taught him by his mother. Whats so wonderful about that? Well, Solomon's mother was none other than Bathsheba! Bathsheba is remembered for having adultery with King David. Not very virtuous, and yet, God used her to tell the world what character traits should be found in a "Virtuous Woman"! How wonderful that God would do such a thing for her. And just think what God can do with us if we let Him!

She girdeth her loins with strength...

The word gird literally means "to prepare for action". Loins refer the parts of the body between the hips and the lower ribs. This part of the body has long been considered the seat of physical strength and generative power. 

...strengtheneth her arms. ~This seems pretty self explanatory. 

Women in today's world don't have the same requirements women in Solomon's day had. We don't usually buy fields, or make our own fabrics. My husband would flip if I informed him that I bought field while he was at work today! And then I would be strengthening my arms and loins to push mow an entire field since my husband doesn't have time for it himself! I don't think so!

So, really, how can we apply this verse to ourselves in today's modern life style?

Let's face it. Housework and child rearing isn't easy as some may think. Some of our jobs may require muscle - a little elbow grease. If you have a job such as this you may need to strengthen yourself for that job. Yard work, gardening, canning, moving furniture (or the refrigerator) to vacuum under, organizing closets or the garage are all jobs that take muscles. However, most of my responsibilities don't take muscle, necessarily, but stamina and will power. Patience and a good work ethic help quite a bit too! It has been said that a woman's work is never done. I totally agree! I think that may be because we have so many different jobs and there's never a time when we're "off duty". 

So, how do we strengthen (or prepare) ourselves for the jobs we have to do? 

We must trust God. Deuteronomy 33:25 says, ...and as thy days, so shall thy 

strength be. I'm so glad it doesn't say, As thy strength so all thy days be!!! I would have been dead with the birth of my first child! (or sooner!) God is good to provide us with the strength we need to continue (HIS strength!). Especially when it's His work that we are doing. And raising children to love Him IS His work! Pray and ask God for His strength. He's already promised it!

We can prepare ourselves for the work ahead by eating healthy food. (Don't get me started on this! {you can read about it here} I need to stay on topic.) Eating healthy food is a must in order to feel well and do well at the things we are given to do. Did you know the Bible talks a great deal about food? God wants us to enjoy our food, but He wants us to eat the real food that He's provided. It's not selfish to take care of yourself. You MUST take care of yourself if you plan on taking care of everyone else. I Corinthians 6:19-20 ~ What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

*Take your vitamins or iron pills. I hate to spend money on iron pills; but if I don't, my house suffers, meals are boring and the children fend for themselves because I'm useless. Dizzy and tired doesn't get the house work or the laundry done. I used to try to buy the cheapo pills, but I've learned that they don't work either. It may be expensive, but it's worth it if it will help you get your jobs done well. 

A good work ethic is very helpful! Have the washing machine and the dryer running while you are cleaning the bathroom and making your bed. Teach your children to help. At the very least they should be able to clean their own rooms, make their own beds and put away their own laundry. Not only will this help you around your home, but it is teaching them responsibility. 


Lamentations 3:27 ~ It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. If you don't teach them to work hard now, they never will.

We must learn as much as we can. I think we can safely assume that the "virtuous woman" was willing to learn more. Sometimes a few questions directed at the right person might help us to do better in certain areas. Do you have questions about cooking, or cleaning? Maybe you want to learn how to sew or plant a garden? Ask someone who knows or read a "how-to" book on the subject. Ask for help. Do what it takes to get your jobs done to the best of your ability. 


I Thessalonians 4:11 ~ And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands....

Do your best with what you have! Be creative! If you don't have a way to make money at home, the least you can do is save money! I've saved hundreds of dollars by making my own laundry detergents, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, dish washing detergents, and plenty of other things. It's so much cheaper and healthier to make your own cleaning supplies! Gardening and canning save me money every year too, as well as making my own bread. There are other things that save money too. I'm looking into raising chickens and bee keeping right now too. I don't really have the money for such things, but I'd sure like to give them a try and I know God will provide them for me if it's His will. 

I Corinthians 4:2 ~ Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

~~~

THANK you Angela. We must indeed prepare ourselves both physically and spiritually for the tasks ahead of us each day. May we each take the time to to seek God about ways to strengthen our bodies and spirits so that we can fully and effectively take care of our families. Please visit Angela at

to read her fun, encouraging posts about being a treasure hidden in Christ.

~ ~ ~

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 

Proverbs 31:10

the series

what did you say?

My husband sent me a link the other day for an article entitled 'Christian Cussing?' 

This topic is actually something that had been on my heart and mind for a couple of months now, as I listen to my children mimic my speech. As crazy as it may seem [today], I want my children to be well-spoken, use proper grammar and even know what the words they use mean. With that being said, it is difficult for my children NOT to be exposed to illiterate speech. We live in an illiterate society. [I am in no way saying that every single person we come into contact with is illiterate. This is a generalization made from simply listening to people around me and is not meant to offend, just make aware. Words are important.] 

{Even more importantly} I also do not want my children uttering profanity. BUT, what is profanity? What is unacceptable speech? Is it just the 'major' cursings [the Lord's name in any way other than speaking to or about Him, the 4-letter words, etc. I am not going to spell them out]? Or are slang [replaced] words wrong, too? The linked article at the beginning of this post has quite a list of slang-I will not try to delve into that. Please read what he has listed. Some of those expressions I had never heard of. But several I had, and seeing their origin made me question whether or not I should say them let alone my children!   

In Psalms 19 the Bible says: Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

If I am expressing words simply to let my emotion have voice [as the majority of reasons for cursing, swearing, or whatever you call it] are these 'words of my mouth being acceptable in the sight of the Lord'? They have no use other than expressing feelings. They often are not even used in proper context. [Is God going to bring damnation on an object just because you don't like it?]

These are just some thoughts that have been in my heart for a while. I would love to read your opinions [kind words, please], but I must show one example that puts shame on my head. I have often spoken the words 'oh my goodness' when I am at a loss of how to express shock or sadness. Each time, I would feel a prick in my spirit that those words were being used vainly, but I did not fully examine it until recently [not many days before I read that article]. 

One question I finally faced gave me my shame: 

Who/what IS my goodness? 

Do I even HAVE goodness apart from The Good One? 

So is that not in essence saying.... Lord, I have no respect for your name or the simple fact that You are good. 

As I said. Just a thought.

linked at:
homemaker by choice

a price above rubies .7 [guest blogger]

WELCOME to Jill from

Jill's Home Remdies

I asked her if she were willing to choose a verse in Proverbs 31 to expound in a modern way, and she graciously consented to write about verse 16. Jill is a sweet Christian lady who writes...

~~~

Proverbs 31:16 says She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

image source

The Proverbs 31 woman is someone that most of us strive to be.  If you, like me, feel you fall short in some area of this chapter (or even several ways), don't give up!  There is always hope ~ thankfully, God's mercies are new every morning.

This particular verse 16 reminds me of a business woman; she was a homemaker and made her home and family her priority, and yet she made business decisions. The verse above says she "considereth", which means she really thought this important decision through; she was not hasty in her actions.  This decision was also made with her family's best interests in mind. 

a price above rubies .6

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 

Proverbs 31:15

This verse is probably the hardest for me. I know you can train your body to awake at a certain time, but some people are naturally early risers. And I am not one of them! 

But as usual, this verse means more than what it says. Yes, it does mean to rise early and prepare for the rising of your family-both physically and spiritually. But this is as much a heart issue as it is a area of domesticity. 

Domestically, I do need to be sure my children have a healthy breakfast [or healthy snack for break at school as my eldest does not always feel like eating as soon as she wakes up]. I need to be sure there is something readily available for my husband to eat if he chooses. [Yes, my husband gets up alone, earlier than I do. But he's OK with that. We've tried the getting up together, but there is very little I am good for before 630.] 

[born of necessity] fruit cobbler

This creation was born of a desire for peach cobbler and no fresh peaches and no way to get any right then. {smiles}

so --use what you have!

[great for mid-winter 

when fresh fruit is not readily available]

1 can of sliced peaches 

[in natural juices and light syrup]

spread out in a 9x13 pan

cover with 1/2 [or so] cup of rolled oats

[not the quick cook kind]

looking yum already!

2-3 very ripe apples sliced thin

[about 16 slices per apple for me]

layer over the peaches and oatmeal

sprinkle your own mixture of cinnamon and sugar

[I like to make my own mixture so it can be more

cinnamony and less sugary than the store-bought]

and then for a extra special holiday flavor
I sprinkle about 1 -1-1/2 tsp allspice on it

for a topping I have used several different things

self-explanatory

my favorite was pie dough

and have also used a streusel type dough, 

but that's a LOT of oatmeal. 

cover with your desired [or available] dough

bake at 375 for about 30 minutes 

or until juices are bubbly

allow to cool at least 20 min

[yeah right!]

and consume.

My latest addition was about 1 cup of frozen blueberries sprinkled on before the dough topping. If you have a child that is fond of brightly colored foods... it makes the WHOLE oatmeal part very purple. {smiles} It was VERY yum.

And if you like it more fruity-use 2 cans of peaches or 1 can of peaches and 1 can of apricots or pears.

Serving options include: warm, ala mode [vanilla or REAL strawberry-YUM], whipped cream, with other fresh berries. 

ENJOY!

linked up at: DomesticallyDivineTuesday

a price above rubies .5

She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. Proverbs 31:14

As a straightforward interpretation, this verse means exactly what it sounds like. This woman will find her food any place she needs to go to find it. She travels around, trades and seeks foods for her family. 

The best modern resource that I can equate this with [personally. though I would love to hear more/other opinions] for a 'modern woman' is couponing. or at least shopping sales for as much of your food as possible. I am not saying that you HAVE to use a coupon or you CANNOT buy something not on sale [pretty sure many would have very little food in their pantry if that were the case], BUT I do believe that planning meals around foods that can be gotten on sale that week is prudent. And if you have the time to get/cut coupons and match them to sales, YEAH! for you. I have some friends who do this very well and save a lot of money on their grocery budget each month. Sadly, I am not one of them. I want to, and I do think it is something I need to learn/take time to accomplish. 

BUT, I must also tie in that in this endeavor that I must also still do good to my husband.

blankets & pillows & castles

upon first glance you must think 

this is a haphazard mess!

 and, in a way, you would be correct :)

but there is control in the chaos!

 with EVERY. SINGLE. couch pillow forming walls

and the coffee table edging the 'front'

 with all their throw blankets spread out. 

one on top of the other.

[cause no one's blanket can be left out!]

my girls lounge in their CASTLE!

can you find them? LOL

and yes, they KNOW they are PRINCESSES!

My girls ask to play CASTLE- and I know that I will have, at the very least, 30 minutes of relative harmony and very few questions. Of course, there is the mess. But he who makes a mess... you know it! Cleans it up! Mostly it is just putting the pillows back on the couches and taking their blankets back to their room... 

and they will sit in their CASTLE and read books, color, watch TV, and play general make-believe very nicely-so I help them get all those stuffed animals back to their basket when it's all done.