Proverbs 31:18

What she has to offer others (that with which she occupies herself) is good and precious. She knows this because she has tried it out herself, tasted of the sweetness of a job well done, of quality workmanship.

Her light/lamp/fire (like the lamp in the temple in Exodus, the lamp of the ready virgins in Matthew - made of pure gold [2Ch 4:21], God's word [Psa 119:105], lit by God [Psa 18:28]; man's spirit [Pro 20:27]; our good works [Mat 5:14-16; 6:22]; the life of Jesus which shines in the darkness [Joh 1:4-5]) is not extinguished, put out, or quenched in the night, in adversity, in the night season.

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
(Mat 25:1-13)

This is sort of a Mary and Martha reality. During the "day," (when it is time for work), she is productive. She takes satisfaction in a job well done. And at "night," (when it is time for rest and reflection), her light burns brightly. Her spirit is alive to God.

Another thought is that she is like a lighthouse. During the "day" she cleans and replenishes her lamps. She is busy making sure that everything is in readiness for the night. Then, when times get tough, she is ready. Her light shines brightly. She stands her watch. Many others are guided to safe harbor because of her faithfulness.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
(Joh 8:12)

Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
(Joh 12:35)

It's almost like she lives a double life. During the day she is productive in ourtward pursuits. During the night she burns before the Lord. These are not contradictory, but they fuel each other. During the night she can intercede for the people to whom she ministers during the day. During the day she can act on the intercession of the night.

"Arise, cry out in the night, At the beginning of the watches; Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him For the life of your young children, Who faint from hunger at the head of every street."
(Lam 2:19)

This is a duality that I experience constantly. As a mother, my life is filled with activity and work. But my heart also longs to be a worshiper and intercessor. So I work to find spaces (usually at night after the kids are in bed or early in the morning) to fuel my burning heart with prayer, worship, and the Word. While I often have felt that the two longings (to be a wife/mother and to be a wholehearted worshiper) are in competition, I am gradually learning to live out the duality and find that I am both, that God delights in both, and that He will make a way for me to live in the reality of both. They are not in competition; they are complimentary. I love seeing both together in this verse.

The Proposal

This blog post is an incredible description of the intimacy that Jesus desires and intends to have with us. If you let it, it can transform the way that you pray and worship.

http://tenthavenuenorth.com/blog/2009/06/19/chapter-9-beloved/

Mommy's Potty Time

This is too funny.


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