Bad dreams.

Nightmares.

I’m awakened from a sound sleep by a girl standing by my bed, frightened by their lingering effect.

One of our daughters has been visiting the land of scary dreams for the last week or two. While I appreciate still being needed for comfort and security, these fears have been causing both she and I to lose sleep. I try a solution that has been successful in the past.

Never underestimate the power of God’s Word. Some time ago, I worked with my other daughter as she spent many nights unable to fall asleep. We used a strategy of reciting certain Bible verses about sleep at bedtime and that has made a huge difference.

For the current situation, Psalm 56:3 seemed to fit perfectly. “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” After saying this together just before I tucked her in for the night, we sang the following chorus from a song by Ron Hamilton:

“How can I fear? Jesus is near.
He ever watches over me.
Worries all cease; He gives me peace.
How can I fear with Jesus?”

Two of the last three nights have been nightmare-free. Another benefit? My husband was out-of-town for several nights this week, and the Scripture verse and song were just as much a comfort to me as they were to her!

What ideas have you found useful in helping your children overcome scary dreams or other situations which frightened them?

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Love. It’s all about laying something down. Your self, your desires, your plans, willingly set aside that someone else might benefit.

In the greatest love story known to man, that’s exactly what happened. Jesus Christ gave Himself to be the sacrifice for our sins in order that we, by faith in Him, might gain heaven.

We, then, as Christians, in seeking to show our love for Him and our fellow man, can follow His example of great love. It is doubtful that we will actually be asked to lay down our life, but we could be asked to advance someone else instead of ourselves, devote our time to taking care of a sick loved one or undertake a task that we would rather not do.

So on this day recognized for its celebrations of love, what will I – what will you – lay down in order to show love?

photo courtesy public domain pictures

While listening to a radio program last week, I heard someone share his view of success. He spoke of writing a couple of bestsellers and how he began to view reaching that mark as making him successful in life. However, after experiencing a potentially life-ending situation, he redefined success and stated it this way:

After many weeks of studying the virtuous woman, we’ve come to the final verse of Proverbs 31. “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

The Virtuous Woman is Satisfied.

By satisfied, I don’t mean that she is not still seeking to learn and grow both personally and spiritually. However, I think because her priorities are in order and she focuses her time and talents on the things that profit her family, she is content in the knowledge that she is fulfilling the purpose that God has for her.

While the benefits of her prayers, actions and attitudes may not appear at this moment, what she does for her husband, children and others in her sphere of influence counts for eternity. She is not searching for fulfillment outside of her calling; rather, her place in the home brings her gratification.

Thank you for joining me as we’ve traced the virtues of this woman described for us in Proverbs 31. Let us follow in her footsteps today as we love our husbands, train our children and reach out to others, for the satisfaction we reap from our efforts will reward us immeasurably in the days to come.

We should be completing our series on the Proverbs 31 woman today; however, in reviewing these posts a few weeks ago, I discovered that I’d totally skipped verse 20! I’m not sure how I missed this one, but we’re going to highlight it today – just a little bit out of order! Next Monday we’ll end our series with verse 31.

I think we once again glimpse the heart of this woman in verse 20: “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”

The Virtuous Woman is Generous.

Her spirit is not one of stinginess or selfishness, but one that cheerfully gives to others, expecting nothing in return. The words “stretcheth” and “reacheth” are used here, which reminds us that being generous is not always easy; it sometimes requires self-sacrifice and the postponement of satisfying one’s own desires.

Notice that the verse does not say what she gave materially, although she would certainly have sought to meet people’s physical needs. Rather, the focus is on her hands and her willingness to help the poor. She didn’t wait for those in need to find her, but reached out to them.

Knowing all that she accomplished for her family, this lady still made it a priority to notice those around her who were impoverished. Perhaps some required a gift of her time, her sitting down and talking to one who was lonely, maybe shut-in or bedridden. Maybe it was a word of encouragement, either verbally or in writing, to a discouraged soul. Preparing a meal, sharing warm clothing, and giving financially would all have been done with her hands as acts of generosity.

My husband and I want our children to learn to be sensitive to the needs of others and, as it is in their power, help in a way that is fitting. Therefore, we need to set the example by being liberal in sharing with others and in giving of our time, possessions and finances in order to aid someone who is struggling.

What do you find to be the best way to show your generosity to others?

If you’ve been searching for the secret behind the Proverbs 31 woman, it is plainly revealed to us in the thirtieth verse. “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”

The Virtuous Woman is Godly.

This woman can accomplish all that she does because of her relationship with God. The traits that she demonstrates outwardly come from her inward spiritual walk. She knows that apart from God, she cannot be pure, diligent, self-controlled or any of the other characteristics that we have seen.

This verse tells us that she “fears” the Lord. She knows Him and therefore has a reverential awe of who He is and recognizes how much she needs Him each and every day of her life.

While many women may receive approval from their peers for their accomplishments, that can be misleading since others can only see outward actions and don’t know the motives of their heart. A woman may be admired for her attractive features, but they are not of lasting value. Physical beauty and the esteem of others does not help when your child lies ill or your finances are in ruin. But the virtuous woman knows that all she needs – spiritually, physically, emotionally – can be found in Christ. Ultimately, this verse says, she will be honored.

This week, I want to make my relationship with Christ a priority every day by spending time in His Word and in prayer, that I might know Him more and show reverence for Him in each area of my life.

As we enter the first full week of the new year, it’s quite appropriate that we come to this particular verse in our study of the Proverbs 31 woman.

Verse twenty-seven says, “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

The Virtuous Woman is Vigilant.

The lady we are learning about observes what is taking place within her family. She is attentive to their needs, be they physical, emotional or spiritual. She is watchful, guarding the hearts and minds of those she loves by monitoring the ideas and influences she allows into her home.

From previous verses, we know that the virtuous woman could certainly not be accused of being lazy. She does not avoid work and, on another level, she doesn’t allow herself to be involved in pursuits that are of no significance. Her time is not spent on activities that have no real value.

So, on this first Monday of 2011, I am encouraged to keep my eyes open to what my husband and children are doing, my ears listening to the words they are saying as well as the thoughts they are expressing, and my heart attuned to their attitudes and desires. May I avoid wasting time and instead involve myself in activities that will help me be all that I should be for Christ.

photo courtesy public domain pictures

In spite of all that I have learned from the Proverbs 31 woman in our series thus far, verse 26 delivers one of her most impressive qualities: “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

The Virtuous Woman is Self-Controlled.

If this were the only verse in Proverbs 31, I could still read it every day and be convicted. In his well-known passage about the tongue in the New Testament, James says in chapter three, verse two, “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” The virtuous woman exercises self-control by using discretion in her speech and tempering her words with consideration for others.

In case I need a personal challenge on Mondays, I can always count on the Proverbs 31 woman to issue one!