Wednesday in the Word: Proverbs 18:1

Have you ever picked up a new interest and in your zeal for your new hobby spent hours of time learning about it? I remember learning to play the piano. We didn't have a piano when I started taking lessons, but my teacher told my parents I would find a way to learn if I were truly interested in it. And I did! I began lessons in September, determined to learn, and my parents bought me a restored player piano with the player mechanism removed for Christmas that year. I've continued to play to this day, and the piano is still a passion of mine.

During my devotions one morning I was reading in Proverbs chapter 18. Verse 1 has always intrigued me, but I never could quite grasp its meaning. As I was reading, I looked up and saw a commentary on Proverbs belonging to my husband, so I grabbed it and looked up that verse to see what the author, Charles Bridges, had to say about it. Here's the verse:

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Here are some of the commentator's thoughts:
Desire is the chariot-wheel of the soul, the spring of energy and delight. The man of business or science is filled with his great object; and through desire he separates himself from all lets and hindrances, that he may intermeddle with its whole range . . . He separates himself from all outward hindrances, vain company, trifling amusements or studies, needless engagements, that he may seek and intermeddle with all wisdom . . .
Of course, this is speaking mainly of spiritual things, but I couldn't help but think of how this could be applied to our homemaking. If we separate ourselves to learning everything we can about running our homes and loving our families . . . and actually doing the things we learn . . . what a difference there can be in our homes! Our homes would become the havens we so want them to be if we would just separate ourselves from "all outward hindrances, vain company, trifling amusements or studies, needless engagements" and seek the wisdom of being homemakers.

What things are outward hindrances, vain company or trifling amusements in your life? The first thing that came to my mind was the computer, followed closely by the TV. This makes me, once again, evaluate where my time is spent. Our modern lives are so full of distractions, but let's make the time to seek God each day and intermeddle with all homemaking wisdom!

Comments

  1. Anonymous6:03 AM

    Hi Susan,
    I love this post. I believe as Keepers of the Home we should every day ask God for wisdom and seek out new skills.Taking care of and loving our families should be our focus everyday not the the things of the world. I too have been pulling back from outside interest that eat up my time.
    Have a wonderful day.
    Elizabeth

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  2. This post reminds me of books by Elizabeth George. She says that we will be held accountable for how we take care of our families and homes.

    I saw some dust bunnies this morning, so you know what that means...gotta take care of that house that I prayed for so hard and that God gave me.

    Thanks Susan.

    ps, will hit 101 here today... :o)

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  3. Diana ~~ Not so sure about right, other than where the Bible teaches. Just my thoughts! :)

    Elizabeth ~~ Taking care of my home has always been a struggle for me. I've wanted to do it well, but I don't always manage to do it well. So that's why I like to read and study homemaking so much!

    Debbie ~~ I'm reading a book by Elizabeth George right now - my first one! I love it. She is so practical and helpful. I'm not envying your 101 degrees today. We are around 70 or so. We're still waiting for summer to arrive!

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  4. I have "A Woman's High Calling" by Elizabeth George. Have you read that one?

    The computer can suck a lot of time out of your day if you let it. I give myself a set amount of time to do things like answer email etc.

    Manuela

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  5. Manuela ~~ I haven't read that book yet, but I have enjoyed Woman After God's Own Heart so much that I will probably read everything I can by her. The computer is my biggest time-waster, hands down. I did some soul-searching over the weekend and have some adjustments to make to my computer time and content. Thank you for stopping by - I so enjoy your blog!

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  6. you are so right...if we would just apply what we already know...and really *give ourselves* to it....I am guilty too Susan....I thought one day...IF I would live my life like I had someone following me learning how to be a homemaker...what kind of notes would that young lady be taking ????
    great post..
    Deby

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  7. I fight with this all the time, Deby! It's one reason I write about it and study it so much, because it IS such a battle for me. I love your thought about someone following you around who was learning how to be a homemaker. That brings things into perspective!

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