“I don’t like it when I hear people say to a woman, “Do you work?” Now, I know what they probably mean is, “Do you have a job that pays you a paycheck outside of your home?” But the fact is any woman who is a godly woman, a wife and a mother, works. And a godly woman works hard. Here is a woman who takes initiative to meet the practical needs of her husband and her children. She is a hard worker. She’s diligent.”
- Nancy Leigh Demoss
Proverbs 31:13 says, “She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight.”
This virtuous woman is productive! She rejoices in being busy in her domain. While her husband is designed by God to be the primary breadwinner, she has been uniquely created to be the manager of the resources her husband brings home. Her goal is to love her family by wisely using these resources to meet their basic needs. She is not idle. She does not have time to gossip or get overly concerned in another’s matters which is often where idleness leads.
Have I embraced the domain that God has given to me as a woman? Do I rejoice and take delight in being busy at home? Have you accepted the responsibility, the privilege of caring for the physical, practical needs of your family? This does not mean I always have to love to cook three meals a day, wash laundry, clean toilets, and the like, but do I actively set my heart and mind to rejoicing in my domain? The virtuous woman is motivated by love. It is love for God and others that grant her the capacity to have joy in her home. This is her motivation!
“Only love can make such diligent service sweet and delightful. When love is lacking this work will be the worst drudgery.” - Unknown
As Nancy continues: “But that most menial and manual labor becomes holy. It becomes sanctified, consecrated, when I give it up to the Lord as an offering.”
This is ultimately how I glorify the Lord in my domain – to gladly be spent for the sake of others in my care (2 Cor. 12:15). May we make it our prayer, “Grant, O Lord, that my heart would take delight in doing your will.” (Ps. 40:8)
For more, read day 5 of the Counter-Cultural Woman series & day 6 as part of the 30 day Makeover Challenge.
Dear Lindsay,
Thank you for taking the time to respond. You have a gift to site the words of the lord and that lifts my spirits. As a reader of your blog, it certainly inspires me.
Sincerely,
Shannon Walker
Great quote by Nancy Leigh Demoss, Linds. So very true.
I stumbled upon your blog and immediately subscribed as you are awesome! Thank you for leading me to the challenge and studies with Nancy. I’m in the thick of it and let me tell you, each day has spoken to me in exactly the right way. Thank you thank you thank you for your blog, it’s truly wonderful
I loved this “chapter”!
Did you get my e-mail? Hope you’re getting some rest!
Blessings,
Michele