So "Super Caterpillar" turned out to be a bit of a surprise. Silly mom never considered all the possibilities of what might grow out of a caterpillar. LOL
Anyway. It lived happily in its little box for a while, munching away on grass and leaves fetched almost daily. Then it got slower and quieter, until finally it just kind of stopped. A day or so later, I realized that it hadn't just stopped, but had formed into a furry little blob on the underside of a stick. Hmm. Didn't look much like a cocoon, but whatever. Inside of this little bunch of fur, we could clearly see a little dark casing, and some leftover body parts (ew).
So we waited.
And waited.
And waited.
I started to wonder if maybe this was less of a cocoon than a coffin. This was not helped when I went online and looked up caterpillars and cocoons, and discovered that butterfly cocoons are not furry. Hmm.
A little more research and I realized that our fuzzy friend was, in fact, a MOTH caterpillar. Okay, well... okay. So much for dreams of a beautiful butterfly. I figured it would hatch out into one of those brown furry things that flutter around the windows at night. The thing was, I also read that moths can take MONTHS to come out of their pupa. Not so good. So I started making plans to move "Super Cocoon" into the barn for the duration.
Then, a few days ago, we came downstairs and Cara says, "Look, Mommy! It turned into a butterfly!!" I was about to say, "No, honey, it didn't yet," but remembered that she is actually right more often than we expect, so I took a look.
Sure enough! A surprisingly pretty moth was there inside the box, having wiggled its way out of its pupa (leaving the furry blob intact, quite a feat!). It's black with some bright blue, and a vivid orange here and there. I've never seen one like that before.
So we moved it outside, took off the lid and left it to go and find its friends. It took a day and a half before it worked up the energy to leave, but it did.
And now it's on to the next lesson in life cycles. Tadpoles. :) Two little swimmers have taken up residence on the dining room table next to our Betta. I thought it best NOT to take Cara's suggestion and put them in the tank WITH the Betta. LOL
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Book Review: 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet
Book Review
3 Fat Chicks on a Diet
This book was written by the sisters behind www.3fatchicks.com which, aside from the really annoying popups, is a great website. Anyway, I have to say, this is probably the first "diet book" that I've read and actually enjoyed. Laughed at, even.
This isn't a book telling you how to lose weight, rather it's a real-life explanation of the options out there for diet plans. Testimonials shared by members of their website, combined with truly witty commentary by the authors make this book a great read. It's very encouraging, positive, upbeat, and so on.
So if you're looking for something to give you a boost on the road to weight loss, visit their website, and check out their book. You won't be sorry.
3 Fat Chicks on a Diet
This book was written by the sisters behind www.3fatchicks.com which, aside from the really annoying popups, is a great website. Anyway, I have to say, this is probably the first "diet book" that I've read and actually enjoyed. Laughed at, even.
This isn't a book telling you how to lose weight, rather it's a real-life explanation of the options out there for diet plans. Testimonials shared by members of their website, combined with truly witty commentary by the authors make this book a great read. It's very encouraging, positive, upbeat, and so on.
So if you're looking for something to give you a boost on the road to weight loss, visit their website, and check out their book. You won't be sorry.
Friday, July 18, 2008
A Thought Starter
This is an old newspaper clipping I found... no idea when or where it originated but I love the message.
-------------------------------
Energy Unlimited
To be a Christian in name, and not to have the reality of the power of God, is a common plight.
To live out our days in self-power can be a hard and unrewarding struggle. Many are spiritual drop-outs because they are trying to live in their own feeble power and it can't be done.
The Presence of the Lord within us, doing the living, is the only way to fulfillment.
A struggling, impoverished rancher in the West finally gave up and sold out. The new owner found a rich deposit of oil, and became propsperous and debt-free. Of course, the oil was there all the time waiting to gush forth. God's power is always in reach, but may go undiscovered.
Many are slaves to burdens and guilt, when they could be made free through the Cross of Christ. He died to take the penalty of our sin, to release us from its power, and ti give us a new energy to gain the victory over things that would get us down.
This escape won't come until we are unshackled from weak self-power, and filled with the infinite energy of God.
Some may say, "I have tried this, and it doesn't work.: There are two keys to be turned before anyone can have this unusual innser strength for themselves. One is the key of confession of weakness and wrong-doing. Name out the sin, and ask the Lord to give cleansing. The other is the key of faith. Believe that God can do exactly as He promises. Claim the new empowered life and thank Him for it. Ask in confidence, not in doubt.
2 Timothy 1:7, "God hath not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power..."
-------------------------------
Energy Unlimited
To be a Christian in name, and not to have the reality of the power of God, is a common plight.
To live out our days in self-power can be a hard and unrewarding struggle. Many are spiritual drop-outs because they are trying to live in their own feeble power and it can't be done.
The Presence of the Lord within us, doing the living, is the only way to fulfillment.
A struggling, impoverished rancher in the West finally gave up and sold out. The new owner found a rich deposit of oil, and became propsperous and debt-free. Of course, the oil was there all the time waiting to gush forth. God's power is always in reach, but may go undiscovered.
Many are slaves to burdens and guilt, when they could be made free through the Cross of Christ. He died to take the penalty of our sin, to release us from its power, and ti give us a new energy to gain the victory over things that would get us down.
This escape won't come until we are unshackled from weak self-power, and filled with the infinite energy of God.
Some may say, "I have tried this, and it doesn't work.: There are two keys to be turned before anyone can have this unusual innser strength for themselves. One is the key of confession of weakness and wrong-doing. Name out the sin, and ask the Lord to give cleansing. The other is the key of faith. Believe that God can do exactly as He promises. Claim the new empowered life and thank Him for it. Ask in confidence, not in doubt.
2 Timothy 1:7, "God hath not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power..."
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Thoughts on Bill S-209, Canada's proposed anti-spanking legislation
Bill S-209 proposes to repeal section 43 of the Canadian Criminal Code, which is the section that allows parents and caregivers to use corporal punishment (ie spanking). This bill has very quietly passed through the Senate with little fanfare and needs approval from the House before it will become law.
I feel that this bill does nothing to protect children. Child abuse and beating is a deviant behavior, and already a crime. People who abuse children already know they’re breaking the law, and they don’t care. All this bill will accomplish is criminalizing parents who are caring for their kids and trying to raise them to be good citizens.
In my opinion, the senator who introduced this bill has little credibility. She was defeated in three consecutive elections, and I feel that she has no business in the Canadian government, proposing legislation that will affect the lives of the citizens who voted her out because they did not want her representation.
(Not to mention, she researched this bill by interviewing children, and was pleased to note they agreed with her. Of course they did! Children do not know what is best for them, that’s why they have parents.)
I am appalled that this bill has made it as far as it has, and I hope our MPs have more sense than our senators. The government does not know best when it comes to child-rearing; if they did, then institutions would be utopia.
Whether you spank your own kids or not is up to you. But you must agree that this is a case where the government has gone too far, stepped too deeply into our personal lives, and needs to back off.
-----------------------------------------------------
Letter I sent to the senator who proposed this (and who intends to keep re-introducing it if it is defeated, wasting yet MORE taxpayer dollars)
Senator Hervieux-Payette
hervic@sen.parl.gc.ca
I am sure you are getting many letters regarding this bill, so I will keep my comments brief. I am dismayed by the introduction of this bill and by its quiet passage through the Senate. I only hope our elected members in the House will show more common sense when the bill is brought before them for a vote.
I see nothing in this bill that will protect children in any way. Abuse and beating of children is already a crime; it is a deviant behavior and those who engage in it already know they are breaking the law. This is a completely different matter than that of caring parents who are correcting their children's behavior with the aim of disciplining (training) them to be good citizens and responsible adults. What I do see in this bill is an attempt to control the home life of Canadians, and to strip parents of their right to raise their children as they see fit. What this most reminds me of is the past criminalization of homeschoolers. Thankfully, we seem to have put that era behind us.
I fear for Canada's future if parents continue to be micromanaged and undermined by external forces. It doesn't take long to realize that the current generation has little respect for laws, for other people, or for government. When they in turn start raising children, we will be faced with the consequences of naively embracing "positive parenting." Children are not little adults, they require training and correction. Sometimes it is unpleasant. But a little punishment today is preferable to a life without having learned limits and self-control.
As a mother, I'm sure you meant well bringing this matter before the Senate. Children do need protection from abusers. But I hope that as a mother, you also realize that parents need to have their rights respected, and that sometimes being a parent means not being your child's buddy.
-------------------------------
Government members who have opposed this bill - write to them with your support!
Karen Redman: Redman.K@parl.gc.ca
Daryl Kramp: krampd1@parl.gc.ca
Anne Cools: coolsa@sen.parl.gc.ca
I feel that this bill does nothing to protect children. Child abuse and beating is a deviant behavior, and already a crime. People who abuse children already know they’re breaking the law, and they don’t care. All this bill will accomplish is criminalizing parents who are caring for their kids and trying to raise them to be good citizens.
In my opinion, the senator who introduced this bill has little credibility. She was defeated in three consecutive elections, and I feel that she has no business in the Canadian government, proposing legislation that will affect the lives of the citizens who voted her out because they did not want her representation.
(Not to mention, she researched this bill by interviewing children, and was pleased to note they agreed with her. Of course they did! Children do not know what is best for them, that’s why they have parents.)
I am appalled that this bill has made it as far as it has, and I hope our MPs have more sense than our senators. The government does not know best when it comes to child-rearing; if they did, then institutions would be utopia.
Whether you spank your own kids or not is up to you. But you must agree that this is a case where the government has gone too far, stepped too deeply into our personal lives, and needs to back off.
-----------------------------------------------------
Letter I sent to the senator who proposed this (and who intends to keep re-introducing it if it is defeated, wasting yet MORE taxpayer dollars)
Senator Hervieux-Payette
hervic@sen.parl.gc.ca
I am sure you are getting many letters regarding this bill, so I will keep my comments brief. I am dismayed by the introduction of this bill and by its quiet passage through the Senate. I only hope our elected members in the House will show more common sense when the bill is brought before them for a vote.
I see nothing in this bill that will protect children in any way. Abuse and beating of children is already a crime; it is a deviant behavior and those who engage in it already know they are breaking the law. This is a completely different matter than that of caring parents who are correcting their children's behavior with the aim of disciplining (training) them to be good citizens and responsible adults. What I do see in this bill is an attempt to control the home life of Canadians, and to strip parents of their right to raise their children as they see fit. What this most reminds me of is the past criminalization of homeschoolers. Thankfully, we seem to have put that era behind us.
I fear for Canada's future if parents continue to be micromanaged and undermined by external forces. It doesn't take long to realize that the current generation has little respect for laws, for other people, or for government. When they in turn start raising children, we will be faced with the consequences of naively embracing "positive parenting." Children are not little adults, they require training and correction. Sometimes it is unpleasant. But a little punishment today is preferable to a life without having learned limits and self-control.
As a mother, I'm sure you meant well bringing this matter before the Senate. Children do need protection from abusers. But I hope that as a mother, you also realize that parents need to have their rights respected, and that sometimes being a parent means not being your child's buddy.
-------------------------------
Government members who have opposed this bill - write to them with your support!
Karen Redman: Redman.K@parl.gc.ca
Daryl Kramp: krampd1@parl.gc.ca
Anne Cools: coolsa@sen.parl.gc.ca
Yes, Breastfeeding is a Human Right
Yes, this even applies in a little town called Yarmouth.
Today I heard a story that left me a little bit speechless. I assumed that business owners would be aware of human rights law, and that they wouldn't want to leave themselves open to potential discrimination suits.
There is no gain to be had in naming the business or individual involved, but let's just say, it seems some re-education is required.
While I'm sure no one would tell someone who is (insert ethnicity, handicap, etc) that they need to leave their establishment, apparently it's still acceptable to tell a breastfeeding mother that she needs to leave the premises.
Now, it's one thing to ask a mom to cover up. Most moms do anyway. (Although I wish you luck in getting the baby to cooperate - do YOU like to eat with your head under a blanket?) But to tell her she needs to leave the area, to go to the bathroom, to her car, to another room - well, that's where you're going to get into trouble.
I can see how it might make you uncomfortable to see someone feeding her baby. I suppose some people are unable to separate the feeding function of breasts from their sexual function. Although frankly, I don't think that's the baby's fault.
I saw a delightful slogan a few days ago: "If my breastfeeding offends you, feel free to put a blanket over your head." I might just have to get it printed on t-shirts and hand them out to local moms.
But I digress.
For those business owners who are interested in staying within the bounds of Nova Scotia law, here are the nitty gritty details in short and sweet form: IT'S A PROTECTED RIGHT. As in, it's allowed. Everywhere.
"The policy states that women can't be told to move to a more discreet area to breastfeed or feel compelled to do so. The policy also states that women who need to breastfeed while working should be accommodated to do so
up to the point of undue hardship on the employer."
(http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20000601002)
On February 18, 2000 the Nova Scotia's Human Rights Act clarified the law regarding discrimination based on sex and family status.
2.19 Under the Human Rights Act women are protected from discrimination and harassment because of sex, which includes pregnancy, and family status, which means being in a parent-child relationship. In Nova Scotia it is illegal to discriminate because a women is or was pregnant, because she may become pregnant or because she has had a baby. This includes a woman's right to breast-feed her baby.
2.19.1 The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the area of "the provision of or access to services and facilities". Woman have the right to breast-feed a child in public areas, including restaurants, retail stores and shopping centres, theatres and so forth. Women shall not be prevented from nursing a child in a public area, nor asked to move to another area that is more "discreet".
2.19.2 The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the area of employment against women who are breastfeeding. Employers have a duty to accommodate employees who are breastfeeding. This duty is limited only if the accommodation would create undue hardship. Accommodation could include allowing the employee to have the baby brought into the workplace by a caregiver for feeding, and arranging a quiet place to breast-feed. The onus is on the employer to show an undue hardship if a request for accommodation related to breastfeeding is refused.
2.19.3 The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission will accept complaints of discrimination based on sex and/or family status related to breastfeeding, and will deal with them in accordance with the above policies.
(http://www.infactcanada.ca/humanright.htm)
Breastfeeding Policy
Approved by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
Under the Human Rights Act women are protected from
discrimination and harassment because of sex, which includes pregnancy, and family status, which means being in a parent-child relationship. In Nova Scotia it is illegal to discriminate because a woman is or was pregnant, because she may become pregnant or because she has had a baby. This includes a woman's right to breastfeed her child.
(1) The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the area of "the provision of or access to services and facilities." Women have the right to breastfeed a child in public areas, including restaurants, retail stores and shopping centres, theatres and so forth. Women should not be prevented from nursing a child in a public area, nor asked to move to another area that is more "discreet."
(2) The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the area of employment against women who are breastfeeding. Employers have a duty to accommodate employees who are breastfeeding. This duty is
limited only if the accommodation would create an undue hardship. Accommodation could include allowing the employee to have the baby brought into the workplace by a care-giver for feeding, and arranging a quiet place to breastfeed. The onus is on the employer to show an undue hardship if a request for accommodation related to breastfeeding is refused.
(3) The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission will accept
complaints of discrimination based on sex and/or family status related to breastfeeding, and will deal with them in accordance with the above policies.
(http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20000601002)
Today I heard a story that left me a little bit speechless. I assumed that business owners would be aware of human rights law, and that they wouldn't want to leave themselves open to potential discrimination suits.
There is no gain to be had in naming the business or individual involved, but let's just say, it seems some re-education is required.
While I'm sure no one would tell someone who is (insert ethnicity, handicap, etc) that they need to leave their establishment, apparently it's still acceptable to tell a breastfeeding mother that she needs to leave the premises.
Now, it's one thing to ask a mom to cover up. Most moms do anyway. (Although I wish you luck in getting the baby to cooperate - do YOU like to eat with your head under a blanket?) But to tell her she needs to leave the area, to go to the bathroom, to her car, to another room - well, that's where you're going to get into trouble.
I can see how it might make you uncomfortable to see someone feeding her baby. I suppose some people are unable to separate the feeding function of breasts from their sexual function. Although frankly, I don't think that's the baby's fault.
I saw a delightful slogan a few days ago: "If my breastfeeding offends you, feel free to put a blanket over your head." I might just have to get it printed on t-shirts and hand them out to local moms.
But I digress.
For those business owners who are interested in staying within the bounds of Nova Scotia law, here are the nitty gritty details in short and sweet form: IT'S A PROTECTED RIGHT. As in, it's allowed. Everywhere.
"The policy states that women can't be told to move to a more discreet area to breastfeed or feel compelled to do so. The policy also states that women who need to breastfeed while working should be accommodated to do so
up to the point of undue hardship on the employer."
(http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20000601002)
On February 18, 2000 the Nova Scotia's Human Rights Act clarified the law regarding discrimination based on sex and family status.
2.19 Under the Human Rights Act women are protected from discrimination and harassment because of sex, which includes pregnancy, and family status, which means being in a parent-child relationship. In Nova Scotia it is illegal to discriminate because a women is or was pregnant, because she may become pregnant or because she has had a baby. This includes a woman's right to breast-feed her baby.
2.19.1 The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the area of "the provision of or access to services and facilities". Woman have the right to breast-feed a child in public areas, including restaurants, retail stores and shopping centres, theatres and so forth. Women shall not be prevented from nursing a child in a public area, nor asked to move to another area that is more "discreet".
2.19.2 The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the area of employment against women who are breastfeeding. Employers have a duty to accommodate employees who are breastfeeding. This duty is limited only if the accommodation would create undue hardship. Accommodation could include allowing the employee to have the baby brought into the workplace by a caregiver for feeding, and arranging a quiet place to breast-feed. The onus is on the employer to show an undue hardship if a request for accommodation related to breastfeeding is refused.
2.19.3 The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission will accept complaints of discrimination based on sex and/or family status related to breastfeeding, and will deal with them in accordance with the above policies.
(http://www.infactcanada.ca/humanright.htm)
Breastfeeding Policy
Approved by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
Under the Human Rights Act women are protected from
discrimination and harassment because of sex, which includes pregnancy, and family status, which means being in a parent-child relationship. In Nova Scotia it is illegal to discriminate because a woman is or was pregnant, because she may become pregnant or because she has had a baby. This includes a woman's right to breastfeed her child.
(1) The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the area of "the provision of or access to services and facilities." Women have the right to breastfeed a child in public areas, including restaurants, retail stores and shopping centres, theatres and so forth. Women should not be prevented from nursing a child in a public area, nor asked to move to another area that is more "discreet."
(2) The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the area of employment against women who are breastfeeding. Employers have a duty to accommodate employees who are breastfeeding. This duty is
limited only if the accommodation would create an undue hardship. Accommodation could include allowing the employee to have the baby brought into the workplace by a care-giver for feeding, and arranging a quiet place to breastfeed. The onus is on the employer to show an undue hardship if a request for accommodation related to breastfeeding is refused.
(3) The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission will accept
complaints of discrimination based on sex and/or family status related to breastfeeding, and will deal with them in accordance with the above policies.
(http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20000601002)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
This week has made me just embarrassed to be Canadian. Well no, that's not it. I like the country. I'm just embarrassed of what the citizens and leaders are turning it into.
Canada Day was marked by Henry Morgantaler being named to the Order of Canada. Highest honors go to a doctor who admits to repeatedly breaking the law in the pursuit of his abortion goals.
This week the senate passed a bill that will see parents charged with assault for using corporal punishment. God help us if it gets passed into law.
And they just announced that Nova Scotia high school students are making great strides in math... last year 39% of graduating students passed math, this year it was up to a whopping 51%. Woohoo.
Urgh.
Canada Day was marked by Henry Morgantaler being named to the Order of Canada. Highest honors go to a doctor who admits to repeatedly breaking the law in the pursuit of his abortion goals.
This week the senate passed a bill that will see parents charged with assault for using corporal punishment. God help us if it gets passed into law.
And they just announced that Nova Scotia high school students are making great strides in math... last year 39% of graduating students passed math, this year it was up to a whopping 51%. Woohoo.
Urgh.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Today is a Sad Day for Canada
"Dr. Henry Morgentaler, who single-handedly brought abortion rights to the national agenda when he opened an illegal abortion clinic in Montreal in 1969, was named a member of the Order of Canada yesterday."
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=6fe61cef-fb82-4c21-bd6e-d88626944851
My heart is broken for my country. Have we indeed fallen so far as to give our highest honor to a murderer?
It is so sad that this man would survive the Holocaust, only to spend his life on a campaign for the creation of another one.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=6fe61cef-fb82-4c21-bd6e-d88626944851
My heart is broken for my country. Have we indeed fallen so far as to give our highest honor to a murderer?
It is so sad that this man would survive the Holocaust, only to spend his life on a campaign for the creation of another one.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Reflections on Proverbs 31
Proverbs 31:10-31
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.
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 dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
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 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I love this passage. It is a beautiful picture of all that a woman can be... I don't think we should hold it up as a standard of what we should be doing all at once, but I do think it is a picture of what our lives should be.
Some people say it's just a fable, some think it's a list of things that would be nice to do, some think we should try to do some of what's included.
I think, rather, that we should take it quite literally! If you read the entire chapter, you will find that this is "The sayings of King Lemuel—an oracle his mother taught him" It's a chapter of advice from mother to son on what he should do with his life (be sober, take care of the poor, be a just ruler) and what he should look for in a wife!
She is good to her husband, she is productive, she is a smart shopper and doesn't waste their money, she contributes financially to their household, she is wise, she is joyful, and she is attentive to her home and family. And as a result she is respected, her husband is respected, and her family adores her.
She really does have it all, doesn't she? LOL
The but that's on my mind today is "watching over the affairs of her household" or "looking well to the ways of her household". This tells me she is paying attention. She knows what's going on. She knows where her kids are, what they're doing, who they're with. She knows what she's making for dinner and what needs to go on the shopping list. She knows where her laundry is. She knows that things are taken care of, because she has taken care of them. She knows the balance of her checking account and where the money goes.
We (I) could learn a lot from this sage momma's advice to her boy.
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 dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
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 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I love this passage. It is a beautiful picture of all that a woman can be... I don't think we should hold it up as a standard of what we should be doing all at once, but I do think it is a picture of what our lives should be.
Some people say it's just a fable, some think it's a list of things that would be nice to do, some think we should try to do some of what's included.
I think, rather, that we should take it quite literally! If you read the entire chapter, you will find that this is "The sayings of King Lemuel—an oracle his mother taught him" It's a chapter of advice from mother to son on what he should do with his life (be sober, take care of the poor, be a just ruler) and what he should look for in a wife!
She is good to her husband, she is productive, she is a smart shopper and doesn't waste their money, she contributes financially to their household, she is wise, she is joyful, and she is attentive to her home and family. And as a result she is respected, her husband is respected, and her family adores her.
She really does have it all, doesn't she? LOL
The but that's on my mind today is "watching over the affairs of her household" or "looking well to the ways of her household". This tells me she is paying attention. She knows what's going on. She knows where her kids are, what they're doing, who they're with. She knows what she's making for dinner and what needs to go on the shopping list. She knows where her laundry is. She knows that things are taken care of, because she has taken care of them. She knows the balance of her checking account and where the money goes.
We (I) could learn a lot from this sage momma's advice to her boy.
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