Action Words - DOING!

A few mornings ago in my devotion time, I read over the second half of Proverbs 31. I found myself being especially drawn to the action words of the scripture describing a "Wife of Noble Character". At first, I thought, hmmm that's interesting, and went on with my day. However, over the past few days the verses have been brought to my mind over and over, and more specifically the verbiage being used that describes the wife DOING something.

Check it out, I've underlined & bolded the action words:

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The woman described here is proactive and diligent, she works, and specifically "does not eat the bread of idleness". That verse (vs. 27) sure got me, how often do I piddle instead of doing what needs to be done or what I could do to better my home, better myself, serve my husband, or serve a friend?! I'm being spoken to here. And this one (vs. 15) "she gets up while it is still night" - what's my excuse to not get up early enough to get my Bible time in and workout before the day begins? Sure, I always have an excuse, but should I?

So this week, God is obviously speaking to me about my time management. Of course, I often have a million things going on with full-time work, school, husband, furbabies, home, church, Bible Study, JS Club, friends, family, etc, etc... but what woman doesn't have many things on their schedule?  

How can I better use my time in 2011 and manage it in a way that is proactive, diligent, and doing things that glorify God? 

Hmmm...