Proverbs 31:27

She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

This Proverbs 31 excellent wife is not some writer’s concocted ideal of the “Barbie Doll” woman that is totally unrealistic. She is a real woman with real challenges. She is also a woman of real character.

In this brief description we see a godly woman who is always striving to keep the balance. She first, “looks well to the ways of her household.” You wives of Tenth Church don’t get enough credit and praise for how you manage your households. You see and understand the needs of the home in every dimension. You bear unique burdens for your children and your husband. You work hard to make the home a place of refuge and blessing for those most dear to you. We as husbands too often take for granted the way you “look well” after the household.

A second factor of balance for this godly woman is that she, “…does not eat the bread of idleness.” Again, she is not a workaholic but neither does she waste a lot of time. “When do I get time for myself?” is the chant of many wives. For many, idleness is not the problem, but rest. The challenge is to try and find that balance of working hard but resting well. Once again could this be one of those areas where we as husbands have failed in partnering with our wives? What have we done lately to give the rest our excellent wives need so much?

Dear wives of Tenth, when you have that illusive moment of idleness don’t feel guilty—find rest. May you find refreshment in the blessings the Lord has given you and especially in the knowledge that because of Christ, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are”(I John 3:1).

And thank you!