WOMEN

• 
  I face the worldly struggles of many women, namely trying to keep a house, pay the never-ending bills, work outside of the home, and in my case, go to school. I feel extremely overwhelmed.
  
  When my children were little, I stayed at home, homeschooled, gardened, canned, and other such domestic duties. There was such a pureness in this. I loved the feeling of jars of canned goods on in the pantry, homemade muffins, and all of the pleasures that came with this frugal way of living.
  
  Along the way, about 10 years ago, it was apparently necessary for me to quit homeschooling and staying home and to go to work. Since then, there has been a void within me. I no longer do the things I did before. A home cooked meal is now a rarity, and MUCH guilt attends it all. I must say that I do enjoy bettering myself through skills that I gain at work, and I love to learn through my college classes. Nonetheless, I am greatly overwhelmed and yearn for a simpler life. I long for my little children; I long for the wholesomeness that I feel we once had. One can never turn back time, and I don't know that we should. I still love my now-grown children with all my heart, and I love my beautiful grandbabies. I just feel caught up in this ugly world of speed and greed, I have lost lots of hair over the ensuing years, and I feel as though I live in a whirlwind for which there is no escape.
  
  All is well, however. Things can be learned from all of our experiences, and I am glad for a healthy family and for the love of the Lord.
  

FRIDAY,NOVEMBER 14, 2008

A VIRTUOUS WOMAN

PROVERBS 31:10-31

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

11. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

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

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

maidens.

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

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

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

19. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to

the needy.

21. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are
clothed with scarlet.

22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the lands.

24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be

praised.

31. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Taken from the King James Bible