I don't know about you, but I love a Saturday morning when we don't have to be anywhere for a while. On those kinds of Saturdays, if you were to drop by my house for a chat, you would more than likely find me still in my jammies.
After running to and from work, church, and school activities all week long, my heart welcomes some unscheduled, non-demanding jammy clad hours by the time Saturday morning rolls around. Don't get me wrong, this is not an every Saturday occurrence, but oh how I wish they were more often than they are.
As much as I love staying in my jammies, I've noticed a drawback to my extended jammy wearing.
When I'm still in my jammies well into the day, I am not prepared for anything outside my home. If I think of something I need, I'm not ready to go get it. If someone calls and invites me somewhere, I'm not ready to go for a while.
I'm just not prepared.
Whatever comes up, I'm going to need a little time to be ready for it. I can't be ready at a moment's notice.
After running to and from work, church, and school activities all week long, my heart welcomes some unscheduled, non-demanding jammy clad hours by the time Saturday morning rolls around. Don't get me wrong, this is not an every Saturday occurrence, but oh how I wish they were more often than they are.
As much as I love staying in my jammies, I've noticed a drawback to my extended jammy wearing.
When I'm still in my jammies well into the day, I am not prepared for anything outside my home. If I think of something I need, I'm not ready to go get it. If someone calls and invites me somewhere, I'm not ready to go for a while.
I'm just not prepared.
Whatever comes up, I'm going to need a little time to be ready for it. I can't be ready at a moment's notice.
This is about more than jammies, my sisters. This is about being prepared.
Being prepared for what may come up by strengthening ourselves.
Proverbs 31:17 says the virtuous woman girds herself with strength. What does it mean to "gird" yourself?
It means to dress yourself. To put something on.
What does she dress herself with?
Being prepared for what may come up by strengthening ourselves.
Proverbs 31:17 says the virtuous woman girds herself with strength. What does it mean to "gird" yourself?
It means to dress yourself. To put something on.
What does she dress herself with?
Strength
If we want to be Proverbs 31 Women, we have to put on some strength, but where can we find the strength we need? Where did she get it?
The Lord himself is my strength.
Isaiah 12:2
When He spoke to me I was strengthened.
Daniel 10:19
He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might, He increases power.
Isaiah 40:29
That's only a taste of some verses about strength. Scripture is full of references to our finding strength in God. That is where the Proverbs 31 Woman found her strength as well.
By putting on strength she makes her arms strong. Why is it important for our arms to be strong?
We use our arms to carry burdens.
We use our arms to serve.
We use our arms to feed.
We use
We use our arms to hug.
We use our arms to hold.
We use our arms to reach out in love.
We use our arms to propel as we run the race.
We stretch out our arms to lift up another who has fallen.
Only when our arms are strengthened can we do these things well.
So, no, the Proverbs 31 Woman wasn't spending hours at the gym lifting weights, but she wasn't hanging out in her PJ's unprepared either. She dressed her self with strength and that strength made her arms strong.
Oh, and by the way, I love what I read about the word "arms". The original word is zeroah and means "the arm - as in stretched out".
She knew she needed to put on strength to be able to stretch out her arms to others.
I know Someone Else that stretched out His arms. The arms that carried a cross up a hill. The arms that are waiting wide open for you to run into.
Gotta love His word, right?
Let's get out of our PJ's. It's time to get dressed and work on those arms, P31 sisters. Sometimes mine are a little flabby ;) We need strong arms so that we can stretch them out to minister to another, and sometimes they have to be stretched out for a while, so we need all of the strength we can get. I am so thankful for those who have had arms strong enough to stretch out and lift me up in my times of need and I want to do the same for others.
By putting on strength she makes her arms strong. Why is it important for our arms to be strong?
We use our arms to carry burdens.
We use our arms to serve.
We use our arms to feed.
We use
We use our arms to hug.
We use our arms to hold.
We use our arms to reach out in love.
We use our arms to propel as we run the race.
We stretch out our arms to lift up another who has fallen.
Only when our arms are strengthened can we do these things well.
So, no, the Proverbs 31 Woman wasn't spending hours at the gym lifting weights, but she wasn't hanging out in her PJ's unprepared either. She dressed her self with strength and that strength made her arms strong.
Oh, and by the way, I love what I read about the word "arms". The original word is zeroah and means "the arm - as in stretched out".
She knew she needed to put on strength to be able to stretch out her arms to others.
I know Someone Else that stretched out His arms. The arms that carried a cross up a hill. The arms that are waiting wide open for you to run into.
Gotta love His word, right?
Let's get out of our PJ's. It's time to get dressed and work on those arms, P31 sisters. Sometimes mine are a little flabby ;) We need strong arms so that we can stretch them out to minister to another, and sometimes they have to be stretched out for a while, so we need all of the strength we can get. I am so thankful for those who have had arms strong enough to stretch out and lift me up in my times of need and I want to do the same for others.
