As cool weather finally begins to arrive here in the South, Proverbs 31:21 is timely in its message: “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.”
The Virtuous Woman is Prepared.
The Proverbs 31 woman is not caught off guard by the changing of the seasons. It is something that happens every year and she is ready for it. This involves the mental aspect of preparation, assessing the needs of each family member and ensuring that she has on hand what is required. There’s the physical aspect as well, the actual process of getting clothing and other items ready, mending, repairing or purchasing new as needed. She obviously does her job well since the verse states that they are clothed with scarlet; she has provided to the best of her ability, supplying them with warm clothing that is proper and befitting for the season.
What a challenge it is for us as wives and mothers to be prepared to meet the needs of our households! How much more I can enjoy my family if I learn to prepare in advance for things that I know are coming. Examples of this range from the mundane to the major. Mornings in our house flow much more smoothly if we have clothes laid out and lunches packed the night before. Having a menu of meals planned for the week saves a last-minute stop at the grocery store. If there is a certain season where I know money will be less plentiful, then putting money aside for the future becomes another aspect of preparation.
While I often have good intentions in this area, I don’t always follow through. Even now, I need to finalize Christmas plans, including a budget and gift list, as well as brainstorm ideas for celebrating our daughters’ birthdays in just a month. As overwhelming as it seems at the moment, I know that preparation is key to doing the job well and relieving stress.
In what areas do you tend to be well-prepared? Share any tips that help you plan ahead either for daily occurrences or special occasions!
Love this post! Where we live in Canada we have ever changing season and weather and being prepare for anything is pretty much part of our daily life!
Meal planning is another thing that I like to do. And always have extra, just in case extra guess comes along!
Still need to improve on keeping the house clean all the time, with 2 toddlers and a 5 months old it's a challenge to keeps the toys where they belong, preventing all the spills and accident and oopsies etc… but am getting better 🙂
have a great day!
Renee
I wish I could even come close to the Proverbs 31 woman but I am not. Praise God for that because I see the areas where I can ask for His help.
Blessings!
Being prepared sometimes comes easily for me, and sometimes (in some areas) I am terrible about it! Definitely an area needing lots of improvement. Wait… I think every part of being a virtuous woman is an area I need to improve in!! LOL! 🙂
Really enjoying this series, Tracey. I've been working through Proverbs 31 with my daughter for awhile, and your series gives me some extra food for thought and angles I hadn't thought of 🙂
I appreciated your thoughts about preparing for the seasons ahead. I naturally think that way, although I don't always follow through, and it took those early years of marriage for my husband to understand this was a good thing. Buying snowsuits on clearance in the spring didn't seem right to him. 🙂
Another beautiful thought to think about is the color scarlet. To make the scarlet color, a small insect was crushed, reminding us of the Lord Jesus. Rahab's salvation came through a scarlet thread. You see this theme beautiful woven throughout the Scriptures. So, to be clothed in scarlet is also to be clothed in the blood of Jesus. I love seeing the spiritual side of this beautiful chapter, as well as the physical. The Lord was so good to write it just for us!