Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Lesson 14 - A Heart That Watches Over the Home

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. – Proverbs 31:27


What does it mean that she looketh well to the ways of her household? It means that she inspects the manners of all her servants, that she may check what is amiss among them, and obliges them all to behave properly and do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her. She does not intermeddle in the concerns of other people's houses; she thinks it enough for her to look well to her own.

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. – Psalm 5:3

Morning prayer is our duty; we are the fittest for prayer when we are in the most fresh, and lively, and composed frame, got clear of the slumbers of the night, revived by them, and not yet filled with the business of the day.

When you and I pray and as we watch over our homes, we must do so with the fervency and earnestness that Elijah did in 1 Kings 18:41-44 when he prayed for rain seven times and had his servant look out for the rain seven times until there was an answer from God.

This prophet and other like him spent their lives waiting, watching for God to fulfill the promises they’d spoken on His behalf. We are to be just as fervent as we make our houses homes and care for the people in them.

Then we will be able to see and celebrate when God does His part – the answering, the blessing, the changing!

Looking Over the Functions of the Home

Specific things we are to watch over in our homes: safety, health, cleanliness, security.

What about recording, saving, supervising, giving, spending, and stretching money?

Then there are the clothing needs and maintenance, the appliance warranties and service contracts, and the food planning and preparation, schedules and events and trying to anticipate future needs.

How can we place ourselves before God so He can grow in us hearts that effectively watch over our precious homes?

1. Understand that this role as helper and guard is God’s plan for you.

Proverbs 31:10-31. Doing the work of watching is part of God’s perfect plan for me and you as He grows us into women of excellence.

2. Begin watching over your home. (versus the eating of the bread of idleness)

3. Eliminate idleness.

     Major time robbers:

      Procrastination
      Inadequate personal planning and scheduling
      Interruptions by people without appointments. (This includes telephone calls but does not include your children!) Your children are the best investment of your time!
      Failure to delegate
      Poor use of the telephone
      Reading junk mail
      Lack of concern for good time management
      Unclear priorities

Which robber will you corral this week as you become a more alert, better watcher over your home?

Think of three real ways you can eliminate idleness today…and in the week or weeks to come.

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