Proverbs 31:15

10)  An excellent wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.  11) The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.  12) She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.  13) She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.  14)  She is like the ships of the merchant;  she brings her food from afar.  15)  She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.  16)  She considers a field and buys it;  with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.  17) She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.  18) She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.  Her lamp does not go out at night.  19) She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.  20) She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.  21) She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.  22) She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.  23) Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.  24) She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.  25) Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.  26) She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.  27) She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  28) Her children rise up and call her blessed;  her husband also, and he praises her:  29) "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." 30)  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  31) Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.  


15.  She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.  


This morning I woke up late.  I had trouble sleeping because of the eczema on my feet, and our new puppy was well rested by one a.m. and was ready to play and chew.  Don't misunderstand and think that I'm complaining.  I like quiet time, whether early in the morning, or late in the evening, or even in the midday.  I just find it ironic that today, being the day for verse 15, I woke up so late.  


This virtuous woman rises while it is yet night~ dedicated to preparing for her family and her helpers.  I imagine she used this time in prayer and communication with God.  I think it would be nearly impossible to do all that she did without reliance on God.  He gives us strength.  Without Him, I am certain she would burn out.  Think of it, they had no microwaves, no automatic ovens, no frozen bread dough from the store.  Of course she had to get up super duper early in order to prepare for the whole day.  I don't think that this means that I am to sleep late because I have the accommodation of electricity and pre-prepared foods.  I think this just means I have more time to prepare in other ways as well.
  
As a homeschooling mom, I can get up early and set up the dining room table as their classroom, make coffee, hot chocolate, and sometimes cinnamon rolls.  I can clean up in attempts to keep my home neat and organized.  I can do my studies before anyone else is even up and moving (that's my favorite part). I think the important part that I observe from this verse is that she is dedicated to making her home a priority.  I imagine that as her maidens saw her working so hard, they must have enjoyed working along side her. For me, it's so much easier to work hard for someone who knows how to work hard, than to work for someone who is a slacker.  
How can I apply this verse to my life?  Well, I'll be setting my alarm a little louder tomorrow, that's a given.  I will choose to dedicate my preparation time to prayer time as well and remember that I cannot do all things without Christ who strengthens me (Phil1:4). I have also made a definite choice to be dedicated to the smooth running home I wish to have, just as the woman in this passage.