Proverbs 31:16

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.  


This gal's a planner.  She doesn't just approach life with a "can do" attitude, which our society seems to swear by these days.  She also puts careful consideration into what will be best for her family. I'm pretty sure she prays about these things, and that's what 'careful' implies in this verse.  Her family is growing, and she will consider carefully how she can help meet their needs.
I also read a commentary where it says that "field" is an implication of the scriptures.  In order to receive all of the benefits from the Bible, it must be read, studied, and contemplated with great consideration.  This commentary goes on to read that "with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard"  means that those who are planted firmly in the Word are firmly planted in the house of the Lord. 
What I'm taking from this verse is that we are, as women, not incompetent to serve.  We may not have the same purpose as the men of faith, but we have a purpose to carefully maintain our homes.  I shouldn't be the kind of woman who splurges on a whim, but the kind of woman who plans carefully, with prayer and consideration for what is pleasing and acceptable to my Heavenly Father, and in accordance with that which my husband approves.  
While I watched the news tonight I heard a little girl speaking of a traumatic situation her mother had been involved in.  She mentioned that the example that her mother had set for her in this ordeal was that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to.  That sounds lovely, and it has been a matter of fact in my old behavior.  Fortunately, as a new believer, and an active seeker of wisdom, I have found that that little phrase is missing one HUGE element.  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 1:4.  Without Christ, we cannot do all things, whether we set our minds to it or not.  We can do some things, but if we need a sure source of power, we need to seek Him, with trust and perseverance and His will in mind.  If we are not to buy "the field"  our Lord will guide us in another direction.  If we are not to buy the field right now, He can postpone that opportunity until it is in accordance with His will.  
The second part of this verse is just as important.  With the fruits of her hands she plants the vineyard.  She is consistent in her prayer and preparation.  She is willing to get her hands dirty, knowing that what she is doing is only so that she can glorify her Father, not so that she herself can be glorified.  I think if it were about her, we'd know her name by now.  If we are going to do something, let's do it for the right reasons, with a righteousness of heart, and do it until it's done, not start and finish whenever the desire arises again.  
And on that note, I should probably go finish cleaning the kitchen.  :)


Thank you Lord for making me who I am.  Thank you for softening my heart so that I could hear your words with understanding rather than resentment.  Thank you for choosing me to serve you.  Help me to finish what I start Lord, and to do all that I do with your glory in mind.