Day Nine
Tireless - Healthy
Proverbs 31:17...She girds herself up with strength [spiritual, mental and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm...
Oh my, can women ever complain!! We complain about our bodies, our hair, how we look and feel; we complain about our children, our husbands, our homes and how tired we are. For those who work outside the home, we complain about our bosses, our jobs, the drive, the co-workers, our salary, and how tired we are. Synonyms of 'complain' are: protest, criticize, grumble, whine, carp, find fault, nitpick, nag, make a complaint, object...Oh my!! Well, why do women complain? It's what we speak of so often - loss of focus. We are focused more on us and our circumstances rather than God, rather than His provision, rather than His promises.
While looking through Proverbs one day, I came across some thought provoking scriptures about complaining women...Proverbs 27:15 - A continual dripping on a day of violent showers and a contentious woman are alike...or Proverbs 19:13b - and the contentions of a wife are showers like a continual dripping [of water through a chink in the roof]...and also Proverbs 25:24 - It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a disagreeing, quarrelsome, and scolding woman (nagging, quarrelsome and faultfinding)...
Proverbs 24:10 says...If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small...Okay, so we refocus. We will get organized and put on a fresh outlook, maybe even read a self-help book. We will go to the gym or the track and get more fit. We will strengthen our attitudes and our bodies; we will do better, try harder. But then the next wave of adversity comes along and it threatens to sweep us away again. Let's face it; we live in a hectic society that borders on chaos, at times. The pressure seems to get stronger as the years go by. Our children grow up, the families are running here and there and we are constantly looking for peace and rest, be that through vacations, the coming weekend, or even different activities.
We must have appropriate focus to be the woman who is tireless and healthy, as verse 17 states. Yes, we may care for our bodies. Yes, we must work on our attitudes, at times. But there is only one way that we will be able to 'walk' in this attitude...In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]...(Ephesians 6:10).
Praise God! There is provision for us. In this sometimes frenzied society, where many women have to work outside the home, or women who stay at home with their children are faced daily with the challenges of raising them and desperately need a break; where husbands and wives are so tired at the end of the day, they can hardly speak...there is an answer. Thank You Father, it is through that strength which Your boundless might provides.
The following is an email I received from my youngest sister, Teri. This is the conversation that took place one morning between she and her son before going out the door to work and school:
Clint: "Mom, I need to be back at the school tonight at 6:00 p.m."
Teri: "Why?"
Clint: "Because tonight and tomorrow night is the school play and I am selling tickets."
Teri: "Why did you wait until this morning to tell me this?"
Clint: "Remember, you signed the paper?"
Teri: "No, I don't remember - when did I sign a paper and why did you wait until this morning to tell me?"
Clint: "Remember when you signed the paper for choir, that I would participate in events and be present for them?" (Counts towards grade)
Teri: "Yes, Clint, I do remember signing the paper, but it was at the beginning of the school year!"
Clint: "I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you."
Teri: "Do you have any details?"
Clint: "Yes, I know everything I need to do."
Teri: "Would you mind sharing them with me? How long are you going to be there, etc? What is your role?"
Clint: "I'm selling tickets. I need to be there no later than 6:00 p.m., and oh yeah, I need to wear black pants and a white shirt, or something dress up."
Teri: (huge sighhhhhhhh) "You don't have any of those things!"
Clint: "Mom, I'm really sorry I know I should have told you earlier."
Teri: (very proud that she hasn't lost it at this point) "Don't worry about it - I'll take care of it...".
Habakkuk 3:19...The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
A hearts' cry...My Father, I need Your strength. I cannot do this within myself. Help me to keep the right focus through the challenges of life - that You are a big God, You provide everything I need, and that You are in control, if I will walk Your path...