Winds Of Difference

                                                                      

Recently, I have been working away to make this blog more enjoyable for you. Lot's of changes have been made for your reading pleasure.  I hope you are enjoying the new changes. Speaking of changes...       OTHER changes are happening in my life changes of the heart that is...

Recently, my Husband and I were headed out for breakfast one Sunday morning. It has been very chili lately so, we were in a bit of a hurry to get in the car, go eat breakfast and drive to Church. My Husband was preaching this Sunday about "Modern Idols In America". His sermon entitled, "A Bovine Makeover". We had some last minute things to gather together before we headed out to the car. We got to the car, got in started it up and...nothing. My Husband and I looked at each other,     with confused looks on our faces. He hopped out of the car in the cold to look and see what was the matter. He had me turn the key several times off and on, as he carefully examined the engine. Still nothing. 

My Husband decided nothing was going to work, and that we really needed to head off to Church.  
    I agreed.
I stepped out of the car to go back inside the house and sit for a bit to get out of the cold. My Husband decided to call a good friend of ours for a ride. 

Eventually, our ride showed up and we made it to Church. Up on the pulpit my husband smiled brightly at the congregation expressing how grateful he was that we made it to the Church, and what a blessing and miracle It was! God truly provided for us! After the morning service the Church ladies had a beautiful meal prepared.

     The food was wonderful!!

 Those ladies always do such a marvelous job! After the meal, my Husband and I decided it be best if we went on our way home. As we were getting up out of our seats, one of the ladies from the congregation got up out of her seat from where she was eating and said, "Are you all just about ready to leave." My Husband and I nodded and said, "Yes, just about". The woman went to go get her car keys. The woman brought them over to us and said ever so kindly, "You all can use my car, it's no big deal..I know where you live, I'll pick it up whenever" My Husband and I smiled with gratefulness at her kind gesture. We took up the offer. 

We left the building and as we were walking outside to her car, she politely said, "Now the car, is dirty so..I apologize about the mess." My husband and I didn't mind a bit as we hopped in   .Getting ready to leave, we thanked her and drove off thinking...God's trying to teach us something. 

All the way home, burning in our thoughts was his sermon about, "Modern Idolatry In America". As I had written in one of the previous posts, Idolatry is anything or anyone you place all of your time, energy and effort into. If it gets it the way of God, and suddenly becomes a distraction, that is when God, gets placed on the back burner. My Husband once felt at a time, that his car was one of those idols he had set before God, I could sense He was thinking about the idols in his life. I could see the sermon reaching his own heart.

    As I continued observing him, deep in thought over it...I  began to think too. I have idols. What modern idols am I placing before God? What are my modern idols? My Husband's sermon began to greatly speak to my heart. I began to feel conviction come over me. I fell deeper and deeper in thought as I looked out the windshield at all the bright beautiful fall leaves rustling in the wind

My husband and I finally arrived home. We got out of the car, locked it and stepped inside. After going to Church, having my faith tested and having been fed so much truth...I felt the strongest need and desire to change...more then ever before. 

I decided I was going to make a difference in our home. I have a confession to make. Yes, I am a homemaker, that is the job God has given me. However, I am not always responsible with this job He's given. My modern idol is laziness. I strive to be a Proverbs 31 wife, I don't always succeed. Lately though, I have been been failing miserably. 

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

( Proverbs 31:27 )

This Scripture just came to mind. It gives a clear example of one of the characteristics a Proverbs 31 woman should have. As a young wife and homemaker,  I struggle with this.
I admit...I have couch potato syndrome! I must always watch over the affairs of my household, not only sometimes when I feel like it. I must not eat the bread of idleness (laziness), and go off and slump in a chair somewhere staring off into space. Or spending all my hours on the internet. I must be a wife of noble character.

The Bible tells us to consider the ant....

6 "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!7It has no commander,no overseer or ruler,8yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest."

Proverbs 6:6-8

Proverbs 31: 10^c A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

11Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

13She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

14She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

15She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.

16She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

18She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

19In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

21When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

26She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29“Many women do noble things, but you    surpass them all.”

30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to     be  praised.

31Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 

Lord, help me not to eat the bread of idleness. Help me and other wives everywhere, young and old not give up on this beautiful role that you have not only given me...but all women.

You have placed this desire in the hearts of       every woman....

 on this earth whether they know it or not...it's there. Help us Christian wives be all we can be for you Lord!

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"

( Colossians 3:23 )

 Help us to sincerely love our homes, love our Husbands, love our children love our jobs! Help us to do it all for you and with JOY! Help us to be content, and work with diligence. Help us to be a blessing so that others will see your love is real! 
And see your truth is life!
 Help us to live by this amendment:   
Jesus first, Other's second, Yourself last. So that we.....   may have, J.O.Y.

Amen. 

What about you? What would you say is your modern idol?