Mr. President, Have You Ever Read Proverbs 31?

“Sometimes, someone, usually mom, leaves the workplace to stay home with the kids, which then leaves her earning a lower wage for the rest of her life as a result. And that’s not a choice we want Americans to make,” Obama said.

There have been many things that I've not met eye to eye with when it comes to the current leadership in our country, but none has ever struck me so personally as the statement above. Because of this, I would like to respond, in a more personal way.

Mr. President, I would like to do a bible study with you this morning, in Proverbs 31. In case you are not familiar with the chapter, it is what most of us who leave the workplace to stay at home use to aspire to in our seemingly insignificant roles.

31:10

A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

 

By providing her husband with the respect and comfort that only she can, he is free to work hard with less stress, able to be the provider that God intended him to be for his family.

 
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.

 

 There is no economist on your staff that could out-pinch a penny from a frugal Mom. By working hard for her family, harder than she ever would in the corporate workplace, she keeps the economy flowing and the comfort coming to her loved ones, without a second thought to being laid off or her salary being cut.

 
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.

 

Do these verses mean she has gone out to work and left her family behind? To the contrary, she draws her family closer by using her spiritual gifts from the Lord to create extra income for her family. all while being ever present when she is needed by them.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.

 

She has a heart like the God she serves, and willingly helps those less fortunate than she is. She denies no one, but works harder to make sure there is always enough to go around.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

 

She always finds a way to keep her family warm and safe, relying not on her own virtues, but in the promises that her God has given her, and there is no comfort like His. 

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

 

 There is no wage on earth that will compare to those earned by her as she works from her heart to provide everything she can to those that mean the most to her.

 
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 

 No matter how hard she is working, there seems to always be this stigma that makes what she does seems so insignificant. I am just ever thankful that there are no insignificant people in my Savior's eyes.

 
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 

  Her job is so much more than a full time job, is it a career and lifestyle that she is blessed to have. It will earn her far more than a mere paycheck, She will be responsible for shaping the future citizens of our country, setting the tone for her husband's success in the workplace, and allowing the lost in her life to see Jesus shine each and every day.

 

It is my prayer each morning that I emulate the Proverbs 31 Woman, and now, that more young women growing up listen to their hearts and find this path as well, despite your belief that this is not the direction we want to take as a country, because I truly feel that if we don't, the country that was built on these values is quickly coming to an end.

 

Good day, Mr. President.

 

Love and Prayers,

 

Pam

A Different Shade of Grey

Each and every day, the world around us is filled with depravity. As a child of God, we turn from it in our day to day encounters. But, how much do we tolerate in other areas, like our entertainment?

Back when I was growing up, the restrictions of what could be shown on television was held at a much higher level than today's standards. It seems like each season that passes the tolerance gets higher. Just because society has given in to such depravity doesn't mean that God's feelings and commands have become soft and changed.

He tells us in II Timothy 2:22: Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. There is no bend in His word or what He wants for us.

Sometimes its hard for us to turn away from things, even when you feel Him speaking to your heart. I've been watching Grey's Anatomy for a couple of years now, but enjoyed it so much that I watched all 10 seasons in just a few months. Of course, there is questionable story lines, from the constant promiscuity to the homosexual relationship featured between two of the characters.Of course I know by watching it, I am accepting it, but I continue to brush it off, since its not real, its just a television show, after all.

God turned his whisper to a louder voice a few weekends ago, when I came across and article about Shondra Rimes and how she responded to others saying that there is too much homosexuality in her other two shows by basically telling them that if they wanted to be hateful and even call those relationships wrong, then they can just quit watching her shows.

I was a bit stunned, but thought, it is not those individuals saying its wrong. Its not me saying its wrong, God did, in Leviticus 18:22.

It was just the push I needed to sit back and think, What kind of example am I sitting for my impressionable child by telling him to not watch certain shows or stay out of situations, and yet don't do the same?

I decided it was time to change the channel. Now, instead of afternoon episodes, I do housework or watch Little House on the Prairie. Thursday nights are now filled with a peace that wasn't in the house before. Is awesome. You can have it too - think about the things you watch, or the music you listen to. Is there something about the content that doesn't make your testimony shine? Pray to Him. He'll clear the grey for you.

Love and Prayers,

Pam

Its Not a Contest

Have you ever looked at a friend, loved one, church family member and thought:

"Wow, I wish I was as close to God as they are."
"Why don't I just get it like that?"
"I must be a heathen, look at how Godly they are compared to me."

I do. I especially do this as I watch my husband draw closer to God at this season of his life. It was bad the other night. I decided it was time time to take a step back.

First of all, we all grow in Christ at different rates and on different pathways. Just as we are born onto earth at different times, we are born into the Kingdom of God at different times. So many things influence our spiritual growth. We meed to realize that those feelings of jealousy toward another's walk with God is jealousy and nothing but sin.

The sooner we recognize this, the faster we are reminded of His words to us.  

1 John 1:8 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Admit your feelings for what they are, and ask to be forgiven.

Romans 3:8 - There is none righteous. Not even one.
Remember we all sin and fall short of God's glory. Remember that this person your are thinking about has saved by the same blood as you, and without the undeserving sacrifice of Jesus, they would be doomed for the same death that you would be.

Instead, fill your heart with joy. This person is your brother or sister in Christ, and we should rejoice with them.  Save your heartache for those who have yet to find the path to everlasting life and forgiveness. Don't forget, anytime you start hearing those questions in your mind about your walk with God, it's the enemy trying his best to bring you down. Keep God in the victory!

Love and Prayers,

Pam

Its Been Said Before...

...Many times, actually.

Our God is an awesome God. Its been said in song, in sermons. It cannot be said enough. There is nothing God cannot do, and there is nothing we can do without Him. He gives us love that we do not deserve, no matter how little love we give in return. He heals us from sickness, he perform miracles each and every day, some so subtle, yet so powerful. So many that we choose to overlook in the midst of our day to day existence, with our minds so filled with clutter that means nothing if you don't keep your eyes to Him.

I have a lot of growing to do. I have let so many things cloud my thoughts for so long that I have drifted further apart from my heavenly father, and want so desperately to get closer again. I thought that maybe this blog would be a good start.

I decided on the name Beyond Measure because it says it all.

God gave us his son, bringing him to earth to die on the cross in my place - MY place.  Who am I to deserve this? This is grace beyond measure.

God wants us to trust him in all ways. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5. Faith beyond measure.

The love God has for each of his children is so immense. Its absolutely endless. He calls for us to love Him and all others in the same way, even though we fall shamefully short each day. Love beyond measure.

May this journey touch others when they need to be touched.

Love & Prayers, 

Pam