Wanted: My husband needs a *new* wife

She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness

(Proverbs 31:27)

As January approaches, a desire to start something afresh arises in my soul.  Is it that way with you each new year?

Many people make vows to lose weight, exercise and eat healthy.  Some set goals to create a new, productive habit.

I have chosen to ask God to disciple me in the areas of homemaking and marriage.  A newness of understanding His Word as it relates to operating in the world of womanhood.

{Don’t fret, male readers, this will involve you, as well.}

Through studying Proverbs 31, I am aware of the many areas I lack discipline and perseverance.  Proverbs 31:27 advises me to look well to my household and to abstain from idleness.

Idleness.  Let me paint a picture.

Fruitless

Hollow

Inactive

Lazy

Slack

Avoiding exertion

Indulging in ease

And, because fair is fair and no man should be left out…

The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns; but the way of the righteous is made plain (Proverbs 15:19)

Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger (Proverbs 19:15)

The sluggard will not plow when winter sets in; therefore he will beg in harvest and have nothing (Proverbs 20:4)

A way that is made plain.  Being well fed.  A harvest.

Without much effort, one can clearly see indulgence in ease will not point me toward that plain, well-fed path leading to the harvest.

Allowing God to inspect my lifestyle to weed out that which entices me into idle time is challenging and painful.  Hollow activities eating the time of my days.  Minute by precious minute.

Will you allow Him to do the same? Asking God to reveal the futile and unproductive seconds of your own life.  What might He ask us to release, deny or avoid?

Mindless time on Facebook, casual moments on Twitter, aimlessly surfing the internet, wandering the channels of television, pointlessly chatting on the telephone…

We each have our own.  Camouflaged decoys.  Seductive snares.  That which draws us in.  The lure inviting us to rest our minds.  The bait persuading us to take it easy.  These temptations engage me, more often, in fruitless activity than a justified break.  And hours later, I’m off task.  My time is gone.  The discipline and perseverance are lacking.

I take the bait and am caught quickly and easily on the hook of idleness.

Matthew Henry cautioned,

When we have nothing to do the devil will soon find us something to do.

With the new year around the corner and the desire for newness in my soul, I am ready for change.

She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27)

My husband needs a new wife.

And I pray God will make it me.