"Do not wear yourself out to get rich, have the wisdom to show restraint." (V4) Money is fleeting and will not bring you happiness.
Working for a purpose and working to bring God glory in every task you do will be rewarded. This also makes me think of rest, in general. Rest is vital in our bodies. We were not created to wear our bodies out so much so that we can barely function on our day off. We are to work hard and diligently, yes but that does not mean abusing our bodies with overworking and lack of sleep. The definition of rest is:
"to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself or to recover strength."
Sometimes I think we get in our heads that we are superman and do not need rest... we think it's ok to pull an allnighter because of a big report due tomorrow morning, we think it's ok to see our boss or employees more than we see our family... we tell ourselves, "well.... this is just how it is, you gotta do what you gotta do." I would disagree! Something obviously is NOT working there, that is unhealthy and your family NEED you to be present. If the reason you work so much is because of financial reasons, then I'm sorry, you need to change that. You need to go and find a new job, or change where you live and how you are living? Nobody will hand you a job right away, a home be found right away... because this is up to you to do. If you overwork yourself because of loyalty to the company or you think it's the only way to do it... check yourself! Sit down and have a look at your priorities, what is number 1? number 2? God and family must come before work... regardless of your circumstances. Changes may need to happen and they will not be easy but they will be vital.
We think it's brave and manly to work so hard and make all the money but barely catch our breath... we think it's the only way to do adulthood. Sometimes we even think it admirable. It is not, i think it is foolish.
It is healthy and very OK to rest. Now what this means for you and for me could look very different, depending on our lives day to day.
Maybe you need to take back that Sunday you always dread working when you know that you have somewhere else you should be? Or perhaps it's another day that you need to get off. maybe it's as simple as napping throughout the day. Maybe you find napping to be your time out, your relaxer. Mother's who stay at home with their children all day, everyday you NEED rest.
It's funny how the world can downplay a day in the life of a Mother... the difficulties a Mother faces every single day, with a lot of the times no break. Mothers can go on 3 hours of sleep (sometimes even less) and often don't get even a simple 30mins of downtime to themselves. Parents do not get a 'lunch break'.
I want to encourage Mothers... to make time for you. I know it's easier said than done and some days will just be next to impossible but try to make time, even 20 minutes here and there throughout the day, to make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, to make a 'gourmet' cuppa hot coco with all the fancy fixin's, watch something YOU want to watch and just BREATHE.
I am not a Mother yet but I am a nanny and while I do recognize the major differences, I do know what it feels like when some days feel unending... one thing after another, exhaustion about to take control... especially when those glorious, wonderful, precious naps are missed. It's important for you to find that rest to re-energize and function to the best of your ability. Even if its just packing up the kids and heading to the park for the day, maybe it's putting both kids into their crib, putting the music on and just resting. Things may change when I become a Mother so if I am talking out of line for those of you who may be rolling your eyes at this... please do not. I am encouraging you. I do know that there is no right or wrong to this... certain things work for certain parents that may not for others... heck some may not agree. As long as children are happy, nurtured, safe and secure and Mama's are happier and healthier... then I say it's worth the try! Napping and resting does not make you lazy. Rest is important for our bodies.
Anyway, after that little blog of it's own we are continuing on to the verses. HA!
Verses 6,7 and 8 are talking about a man who is greedy, he hoards all of his riches and withholds from the poor and needy. He lives out of selfish intentions. Good company can make any meal good. I know this from past experiences when I have ruined meals like burnt my steak, made my potatoes into a puree haha! But who you are with can make the meal not so good. So be wise in choosing your company.
"My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right." (V 15 & 16)
God is our teacher and our Father. When a teacher or parent teach us something and we act on it the right way, how does that reflect onto the teacher and parent? It complements both, as a reflection.
"Listen my son and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path." (V19)
It goes onto explain some of the things that steal us from God's path. The book of proverbs is bursting with advice and encouragement on how to stay on God's path and how to maintain our relationship with him.
In order to do this though, we must set ourselves apart from the world. Our lifestyle should look very different. The things we choose to support and encourage, the decisions that are made. Are they all pointing to the bible and to God?
Is that relationship you are supporting a healthy one? Is the relationship you are in right now a healthy one and focused on God before everything else?
Bethany Joy
Working for a purpose and working to bring God glory in every task you do will be rewarded. This also makes me think of rest, in general. Rest is vital in our bodies. We were not created to wear our bodies out so much so that we can barely function on our day off. We are to work hard and diligently, yes but that does not mean abusing our bodies with overworking and lack of sleep. The definition of rest is:
"to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself or to recover strength."
Sometimes I think we get in our heads that we are superman and do not need rest... we think it's ok to pull an allnighter because of a big report due tomorrow morning, we think it's ok to see our boss or employees more than we see our family... we tell ourselves, "well.... this is just how it is, you gotta do what you gotta do." I would disagree! Something obviously is NOT working there, that is unhealthy and your family NEED you to be present. If the reason you work so much is because of financial reasons, then I'm sorry, you need to change that. You need to go and find a new job, or change where you live and how you are living? Nobody will hand you a job right away, a home be found right away... because this is up to you to do. If you overwork yourself because of loyalty to the company or you think it's the only way to do it... check yourself! Sit down and have a look at your priorities, what is number 1? number 2? God and family must come before work... regardless of your circumstances. Changes may need to happen and they will not be easy but they will be vital.
We think it's brave and manly to work so hard and make all the money but barely catch our breath... we think it's the only way to do adulthood. Sometimes we even think it admirable. It is not, i think it is foolish.
It is healthy and very OK to rest. Now what this means for you and for me could look very different, depending on our lives day to day.
Maybe you need to take back that Sunday you always dread working when you know that you have somewhere else you should be? Or perhaps it's another day that you need to get off. maybe it's as simple as napping throughout the day. Maybe you find napping to be your time out, your relaxer. Mother's who stay at home with their children all day, everyday you NEED rest.
It's funny how the world can downplay a day in the life of a Mother... the difficulties a Mother faces every single day, with a lot of the times no break. Mothers can go on 3 hours of sleep (sometimes even less) and often don't get even a simple 30mins of downtime to themselves. Parents do not get a 'lunch break'.
I want to encourage Mothers... to make time for you. I know it's easier said than done and some days will just be next to impossible but try to make time, even 20 minutes here and there throughout the day, to make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, to make a 'gourmet' cuppa hot coco with all the fancy fixin's, watch something YOU want to watch and just BREATHE.
I am not a Mother yet but I am a nanny and while I do recognize the major differences, I do know what it feels like when some days feel unending... one thing after another, exhaustion about to take control... especially when those glorious, wonderful, precious naps are missed. It's important for you to find that rest to re-energize and function to the best of your ability. Even if its just packing up the kids and heading to the park for the day, maybe it's putting both kids into their crib, putting the music on and just resting. Things may change when I become a Mother so if I am talking out of line for those of you who may be rolling your eyes at this... please do not. I am encouraging you. I do know that there is no right or wrong to this... certain things work for certain parents that may not for others... heck some may not agree. As long as children are happy, nurtured, safe and secure and Mama's are happier and healthier... then I say it's worth the try! Napping and resting does not make you lazy. Rest is important for our bodies.
Anyway, after that little blog of it's own we are continuing on to the verses. HA!
Verses 6,7 and 8 are talking about a man who is greedy, he hoards all of his riches and withholds from the poor and needy. He lives out of selfish intentions. Good company can make any meal good. I know this from past experiences when I have ruined meals like burnt my steak, made my potatoes into a puree haha! But who you are with can make the meal not so good. So be wise in choosing your company.
"My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right." (V 15 & 16)
God is our teacher and our Father. When a teacher or parent teach us something and we act on it the right way, how does that reflect onto the teacher and parent? It complements both, as a reflection.
"Listen my son and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path." (V19)
It goes onto explain some of the things that steal us from God's path. The book of proverbs is bursting with advice and encouragement on how to stay on God's path and how to maintain our relationship with him.
In order to do this though, we must set ourselves apart from the world. Our lifestyle should look very different. The things we choose to support and encourage, the decisions that are made. Are they all pointing to the bible and to God?
Is that relationship you are supporting a healthy one? Is the relationship you are in right now a healthy one and focused on God before everything else?
Bethany Joy