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Nurturing moms in their walk with God

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Early to Rise

September 27, 2010 by Tracey 6 Comments

Today we find that the Proverbs 31 woman starts her day at an early hour!

Verse 15 says, “She riseth also while it is yet night and giveth meat to her household and a portion to her maidens.”

The Virtuous Woman is Industrious.

You won’t call this lady’s house at 9:00 A.M. and find her still in bed! I would say that she has a plan for each day and knows that in order for her home to run smoothly, she needs to put that plan into action early.

She ensures that members of her household are prepared for the day. I find it interesting that both verses fourteen and fifteen mention meeting the physical needs of her family, particularly in the area of food. It speaks to me of the importance of providing nutritious meals for our families.

I am a morning person which means that this attribute comes a bit more naturally to me than most of the other traits we have studied! However, I want to improve in making the best use of my time, that I might be diligent in accomplishing what I need to for my family.

Do you have any tips for getting an early start to the day?

Read previous posts in this series on the virtuous woman here.

Filed Under: Worship

Remembering to Say Thank You

September 21, 2010 by Tracey 3 Comments

Thank you, Lord, that it didn’t rain. It was warm and humid, but not miserable.

Thank you for a husband who knows about outdoorsy things – like rowing a boat. If it was up to me, we’d still be paddling around in circles.


Thank you that I was the one who unknowingly stepped in a mound of fire ants – and that it wasn’t the girls. Our outing would still have been memorable, but for an unpleasant reason.

Thank you for the beauty of your creation – the swamp filled with cypress trees, the brightly-colored butterflies, the squawking parrot who entertained us all with his antics.


Thank you for our children; it’s because we desire interesting experiences for them that we make the effort to plan family activities.

And because they remembered to say “thank you” for the outing, I wanted to make sure I did the same.

Find others giving thanks at Gratituesday hosted by Heavenly Homemakers.

Filed Under: Worship

Providing the Best

September 20, 2010 by Tracey 5 Comments

Our once-a-week study of the virtuous woman brings us today to the fourteenth verse of Proverbs 31: “She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.”

Just as traders or storekeepers search high and low to bring their customers the best products they can find, so this Proverbs 31 woman seeks to provide the same for her household.

The Virtuous Woman is Resourceful.

When it comes to feeding her family, this lady takes the time to explore what is available and makes purchases that will nourish and strengthen those she loves.

Beyond the realm of food, I see her using the resources that are available to her to create a home that is a haven for her family. These are women I admire, those who turn an old skirt into a pretty throw pillow or create a gourmet meal from a hodge podge of leftovers. They are able to make even mundane activities seem like special events.

Surely this virtuous woman also gives the best of herself. A person who is resourceful is defined as one who is “able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.” How often as wives and mothers we are called to do just that!

This week I will challenge myself to give my best to my family, planning how I can effectively meet their physical, spiritual and emotional needs.

You can read previous posts in this series here.

Filed Under: Worship

Hands That Serve

September 13, 2010 by Tracey 8 Comments

In our study of the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 we have reached the thirteenth verse: “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.”

The Virtuous Woman is Diligent.

The lady of whom we read could never be portrayed as lazy. Here we are told that she seeks wool and flax. She goes about the business of gathering what she needs for her family; she is not waiting for someone to bring things to her.

She works, completing the tasks set before her with steady effort, persevering through difficulties that may arise. What is her attitude about all that she must accomplish? She works willingly. Ah, there is much to be learned here. She doesn’t complain to her family or friends about all that she has to do. She accepts her responsibilities and goes about fulfilling them with a servant’s heart.

She works with her hands. Our hands minister in so many ways to our families! From kneading bread to peeling potatoes, folding laundry to washing dishes, brushing a child’s hair to mending a pair of pants, the hands of a wife and mother serve each family member.

This week may I follow her example, working diligently with a cheerful spirit, using my hands to meet the needs of my family and others around me.

You can read previous posts in this series here.

This post is linked to Making Your Home Sing Monday.

Filed Under: Worship

Kind and Wise Speech

August 16, 2010 by Tracey 2 Comments

A Bible verse that always brings conviction to my heart is Proverbs 31:26 which says, in describing the virtuous woman, “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

So, on top of all that she accomplishes in the surrounding verses – working with her hands, planting a vineyard, reaching out to the needy, feeding and clothing her household – she retains control of her tongue. The words that proceed from her mouth are wise and her speech is kind. How often, when I am busy or distracted, do I allow my tone of voice to be short or my expressions to be harsh?

Since I am writing about this subject, I can guarantee that I will be tested in this area today. (It always seems to happen that way!) My desire is to pray, as David did in Psalm 141:3, “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” As I fill my mind and thoughts with the praises and promises of God, it will be easier for the right things to proceed from my mouth. May I be up to the challenge today!

Post originally published on April 15, 2009.

Filed Under: Worship

Are You a Motivational Speaker?

May 3, 2010 by Tracey 8 Comments

As I navigated the zoo that is Walmart on a Saturday afternoon, I crossed paths with a woman wearing a shirt that said, “I’m not a nag; I’m a motivational speaker.” I had to chuckle as I passed, thinking how nice it would be if nagging could truly be interpreted that way.

However funny the saying may be, it certainly points out a truth that I need to evaluate in my own life. Am I guilty of nagging my husband and my children?

According to the dictionary, nag means, “to annoy by constant scolding, complaining, or urging; to scold, complain, or find fault constantly.”

The words that I use with my husband should be those of encouragement and support, not complaining or fault-finding. As for my children, I can correct them with a loving attitude and without repeatedly harping on their offenses.

May my home be a happier, more inspiring place today because I choose not to nag.

Filed Under: Worship

7 Bible Basics for Children

April 22, 2010 by Tracey 5 Comments

On weeknights after supper, we strive to have a family devotional time. This has involved things such as reading children’s devotional books or missionary biographies, discussing character traits we seek to display in our lives and studying a particular Bible passage or person.

My husband suggested that we take some time to cover basic Bible concepts with our daughters. From an article that he found online, we came up with this list of topics.

  1. Memorize the books of the Old Testament and New Testament in order, including how they are categorized (the gospels, Paul’s epistles, etc.)
  2. Discuss and memorize the ten commandments.
  3. Learn the three points of the gospel from I Corinthians 15: 1-6. (Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day.)
  4. Study the three points of evangelism from Matthew 28:19-20 (evangelism, baptism, discipleship).
  5. Talk about the storyline of the major events in the Bible, i.e. Creation, the Flood, Moses and the Exodus, etc. We’ll also work on remembering in which book of the Bible these major events occurred.
  6. Consider the three persons of the Triune God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  7. Examine and memorize salvation verses such as the Romans Road and John 3:16.

Having grown up attending Sunday School and weekly church services, our children are familiar with most of what we are teaching them, but we want to reinforce those ideas at home. Reviewing the material with a game at the end of our devotional time (for example, name a book of the Bible and see who can most quickly tell you the name of the book that comes before/after) makes it fun as well as instructional. Helping our children become grounded in God’s Word is an important part of their spiritual training.

How do you teach your children about the Bible? I’d enjoy hearing your ideas including any resources you have found to be beneficial.

Filed Under: Parent, Worship

Attitude is Everything

March 29, 2010 by Tracey 10 Comments

One of my dad’s constant admonitions as I was growing up was “Attitude is everything.”

As my girls return to school tomorrow morning after a week of spring break, I remember his advice and ask myself these questions.

Will I grumble because the alarm clock sounds at the early hour of 5:30 A.M, or will I be thankful that I have the health and strength to get out of bed?

Can I appreciate the fact that we have plenty of healthy food to fill lunchboxes or rush through packing lunches and never give it a thought?

Do I thank God once again that he chose to bless our family with children or rush them out the door so that I can have some quiet time?

Does the “umpteenth” load of laundry help me appreciate taking care of my family or cause me to resent my household chores?

Today I’m asking God to give me a proper perspective on the blessings I’ve been given along with the challenges I may face. As my attitude is right, I can encourage others and make my home sing.

How do you alter your attitude when it’s not what it should be?

Visit Mom’s the Word to read how others are choosing to make their homes sing today.

Filed Under: Parent, Worship

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Welcome! I'm Tracey, wife and mom to two teenage girls. I seek to help Christian moms raise children who know, love, and serve God by sharing Biblical wisdom, helpful tips, and practical advice. Read More…

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