Your Husband's Heart

The husband in Proverbs 31:11 was able to trust his wife completely. It says that he safely (no fear) trusted in her. He had no need to go to war to bring home the spoils or booty to supplement his income. I think this indicates that this wife was a great household manager. She wisely used what was available to her. She learned to live within the income that was available. To be able to do this she had to set priorities.

She sought out materials to make or trade for the things needed for her household. She in all probability raised her own sheep and had fields where grains were raised. Some of us are fortunate enough to be able to have a farm and raise animals to be used for food. Others of us need to be very diligent in our purchases. We need to shop the sales for fabric to make clothing, curtains or household needs. Okay, I hear you out there saying you can't sew a straight stitch. How about learning? It can save you money. Or, if you have a friend that sews, swap services. Be creative. Look for ways to get the things you need and even want without spending tons of money. One of my favorite places to go for ideas for decorating and household tips is http://www.hgtv.com and http://www.roombyroom.com. Those sites are gold mines. This wife worked willingly with her hands, do you?

This wife was also a prudent shopper for food. She knew where to go for the best deals and she didn't mind traveling a ways to do it if the price was right. Check the internet for your area stores. Our local Meijer store has coupons and store specials on their web site. Using manufacturer coupons for things that you don't really need is not saving money. If it is something you normally buy and you can get your coupon doubled, hey, that is great. If the store brand is just as good and in all probability cheaper, then get that. Learn to cook from scratch. It will save you money over the store bought convenience foods. It is also much healthier. You control the amount of fats and sugars not someone else. If you are on a tight schedule time wise, set aside some Saturday and cook several meals ahead and freeze them. This is also great for those days that you just don't want to cook.

Our model wife in Proverbs 31 wasn't born with all this talent to manage she learned it. Maybe she even taught herself. If she can do it so can we. Read the ways that she handled her household in verses 13 and following. Pray for the guidance you need to properly manage yours. In verse 30 we are told, "Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." There is our answer for how to do this. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding." Proverbs 9:10. "Houses and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord." Proverbs 19:14. Wisdom to do what we need to do for our households in there for the asking (James 1:5). Will we allow God to make us the prudent wife he intends us to be? Does your husband's heart safely trust in you?