Proverbs 31: Week 26 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome to week twenty-six of our Proverbs 31 journey. This week we wrap up the caring virtue and start thinking about being savvy. If you'd like to return to one of our previous stops, let our "Wolfe Notes" guide you. 

• In January we examined our value with the help of Proverbs 31 verses 10 and 29.
• In February we learned what uplifting means by looking at Proverbs 31:11 and 23.
• In March, we considered the virtue of respect by studying Proverbs 31:12 and 28.
• In April, we trained to be hardworking with Proverbs 31:13 and 19 as our instructors.
• In May, we saw what it takes to be resourceful by examining Proverbs 31:14 and 21. 
• In June, we are developing our caring muscle by exercising Proverbs 31:15 and 22.
• In July, we'll practice being savvy with help from Proverbs 31:16 and 27.

If you're ready to travel with us, welcome! Grab your June calendar with daily activities, the lamp for your feet (the Bible), and let's get going! We're journeying through the concluding poem of Proverbs and we're so glad you decided to walk along this road with us! Imagine that as we walk, we're talking about the daily activities. Our side of the discussion is outlined below. What would you add? How would you challenge us? (Ideas that are our thoughts alone are designated with an *.)

Contents:

Application Of Proverbs 31:22 in the past, present, and future.
Activity Making something you usually buy.

Connections Between Proverbs 31:15 and 22.

Altered Definition Of caring.
*I am Caring because...
*Virtue Reflection A review of virtues studied so far.
*Define Savvy and relate to it personally.

Application

Of Proverbs 31:22 in the past, present, and future.

• In the past, I thought of this 'ideal' woman as too hoity-toity for me. I didn't want to be like her - surrounded in fineries and preciously clothed.
• Presently, I realize I don't get to choose my coverings - God does - and He sees the me I will become instead of the me I currently am. Because He knows my end, He handcrafts intricate coverings designed for me.
• I hope to continue, learning to accept the me He sees instead of the one I do. To help, I'll envision the fineries - fitting for a daughter of a King - surrounding me.

Activity

Making something you usually buy.

As I considered a "something" to make, I wanted it to be something that would "cover" my family in a way that reflects my interpretation of Proverbs 31:22. What I decided: I will make and serve homemade bread along with wine to accompany a family dinner that will serve as a reminder of the covering He provides and the sacrifice required.

Connections

 Between Proverbs 31:15 and 22.

Proverbs 31:15 KJV: She riseth also while it is yet night and giveth meat to her household; and a portion to her maidens. 

Proverbs 31:22 KJV: She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

• She=subject (Wisdom/church/wife)
• Riseth while night/giveth meat/maketh herself = extraordinary effort
• to her household/coverings of tapestry = care of those in her flock
• *Connections: Both verses show that she makes an extraordinary effort to care for her household, others who serve her, and herself.

Altered Definition

Of caring.

caring: self-sacrificing to cover the needs of others, while retaining an awareness of one's own value

*I am caring...

because...

I rely on God's provision, protection, and atonement to cover me as I cover the needs of others by ensuring food is provided; sending my flock off with love; providing necessary clothing; organizing, maintaining, and restocking essential supplies; considering their needs before I go about my desired tasks; and covering myself and others with reminders of God's covering of us. 

*Disclaimer These are more goals than consistently accurate performance descriptors.

 

*Virtue Reflection

A review of virtues studied so far.

*Altered Definitions:

• Valuable: a definitive proclamation of your worth - appraised by God; paid by Jesus
• Uplifting: from a firmly established foundation in wisdom (Jesus), you safely gain the trust of others to elevate them spiritually, socially, and intellectually in His strength.
• Respectful: acting and speaking from an informed mindset of God's handiwork within yourself and others; a willingness to call out God's involvement in all things.
• Hardworking: An eager urge to seek God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength while you habitually surrender control and willingly trust in provision from God.
• Resourceful: taking extraordinary measures to ensure your household's needs are abundantly and elaborately met for every eventuality
• Caring: self-sacrificing to cover the needs of others, while retaining an awareness of one's own value

*Conclusions:

• Knowing your VALUE and understanding RESPECTFULNESS are foundational to being UPLIFTING and CARING.
• To successfully be UPLIFTING and CARING, you must be HARDWORKING and RESOURCEFUL.

Define Savvy

and relate to it personally.

• From Merriam Webster: having or showing perception, comprehension, or shrewdness especially in practical matters
• *Personal Connection: This sounds a lot like decision-making to me. Which, I wrote about here. In short, I rarely feel 100% confident about the decision I make. What I do is I keep walking with Jesus, making decisions based on the knowledge I'm rooted in, and trust Him to keep guiding me even when I make the wrong choice. To me, that seems pretty savvy - trusting Jesus, no matter what.

Final Thoughts

One thing I keep being reminded of regarding this virtuous woman: I was never meant to be her. Rather, this poem should be a comforting reminder of how much Our Savior loves and cares for us. From this place of understanding, then I can reach out in love and care for others.

Growing with You,

Review Week 25 or

Move on to Week 27.

Sample these related posts:

See the start of our caring study.

See the start of our Proverbs 31 study.

View my thoughts on decision making.
Think about self-sacrifice in marriage.
Glimpse a small portion of God loves for us.

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