Wisdom Wednesday #10 - Happy Homekeeping

       
Our study of Proverbs 31 today brings us to:

צ ²⁷ She watches how things go in her house,

The first part of this verse wraps up what has been said in the verses before.  It is saying not to neglect your home.
       
I haven't always been a good housekeeper.  As a matter of fact, my house was a mess until I learned to be a Proverbs 31 woman.  Years ago when I started to apply this scripture, I cross-stitched this verse as a reminder to put it into practice:  

It hangs over my stove now, and has hung on the wall of my kitchen in every home since the 1970's.  Each time I see it I'm reminded of my priorities.  

Because it is from the Holy Scriptures, it reminds me that this is what ADONAI wants me to do as a home-keeper.

The sign reminds me to keep my home clean and neat, and to take care of what G-d has given me.  I don't want to become so busy with outside pursuits that I neglect my home duties of cleaning, laundry, and preparing healthy meals. 

I'm also reminded to make our home a place of peace above everything else.  I want to keep a sweet spirit there at all times, and to keep a welcoming atmosphere prepared for anyone who visits.  If things become cluttered, I feel stressed, so I like to keep things picked up and clean. By doing this, I'm not afraid of drop-in visitors, and can open my door without worry. 

When my children were growing up, I also had two other sayings framed on my wall that kept me focused on my priorities.  The first is:

My house is clean enough to be healthy

And dirty enough to be happy

I don't want to be so focused on cleaning that I become obsessed with it.  There is a balance, and I have found it, through trial and error.   

The second saying is: 

Cleaning and dusting can wait till tomorrow

Cause children grow up, 

we learn to our sorrow

While cleaning is important, my family members come before that.  If something comes up that involves one of them, the cleaning can wait.

I believe a woman's home is a reflection of her heart.  When I walk into someone's home, I can tell a great deal by the atmosphere there, including the decorations as well as her demeanor.  I should qualify this with the statement that children's toys in the living room are not considered clutter and messiness in my book.  And, of course, we all have times that things aren't as clean and nice as we'd like.  Something is wrong, though, if your life is like that all the time....if you live in a mess day in and day out, or if you can't invite people in because you'd be embarassed because your house looks like a dump all the time.  

Proverbs 31 can move you out of a stressful life of mess.  Ask him to help you apply this passage to your life.  It worked for me, and I know it will work for you.

You don't have the finest furniture or most expensive decorations to have a pretty and welcoming home.  I think almost everything in my home has been bought at a yard sale or a thrift shop, but it is pretty to me and I think it reflects a heart that loves Hashem and people.  

There is a second part of this verse (about idleness), and we will talk about that next week.  
~~~~~
 I saw a funny thing on Facebook today:  

I love looking at snow

on Facebook

from Florida

Most of the country is dealing with cold, snowy weather.  Even north Florida is expecting snow today.  So, stay warm and safe, and don't hate me because I live in sunny central Florida.  :)

 I'm sharing this post with:

Spiritual Sundays

Let's Get Social Sunday

Modest Mom Monday Link-up 

Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Teach Me Tuesday

Titus 2 Tuesday 
A Hope in Every Season Homemaking Link-Up

Domestically DivineTuesdays

Wordless Wednesdays 

Winsome Wednesday

A Wise Woman Builds
Whole Hearted Wednesday 

Hearts for Home
Favorite Things 

Faith Filled Friday
Friendship Friday 
Freedom Friday