The Resourceful Homemaker

“The Resourceful Homemaker”

Proverbs 31:12-15, 21-22 NKJV

“She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.

“She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.”

She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.”

“She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.”

A homemaker is one who manages the household. Being a homemaker can be one of the greatest joys in life. In spite of the toil and possible turmoil that could come with being a homemaker, it is necessary we remember to count it a privilege to fulfill this important role. That’s right, this role of motherhood or being a wife (or both) can be viewed as assignments straight from the Lord and it should not be taken lightly. It’s just as much a vital part of ministry as any other task that may be served in the church. When being a homemaker is embraced and executed well -- the family thrives, the community is stronger and the kingdom benefits.

Several verses in Proverbs 31 offer a wonderful description of this homemaker who is not afraid of a little hard work. Simply put, she is resourceful. She has in her hands to make her household flourish. (vs. 13) She looks out for her household as well as those close to her. (vs. 15) She has no need to fear because she is prepared. (vs. 21) She assures that her family is clothed well. And isn’t it amazing that she manages to look good while doing it all, (vs. 22) wouldn’t you agree? The Proverbs 31 woman is a resourceful manager of the home.

Yes, we all agree. But is this an easy feat to accomplish? I can remember the days as a young wife and mother that there were times when we didn’t have enough money for the mandates of a month. For me, as I can imagine it would have been for many, the stress of having to pull together ideas on how to stretch the little we had was at times, unhinging. Knowing that my assignment of being a homemaker was from God was what helped me to hold it together. Every assignment from God comes with assistance from the assigner! Here’s the truth I’d like to emphasize: Being intentional in planning and prayer will help us to be productive as a resourceful homemaker.

One important piece in being resourceful is planning. The woman in this text had to have been a planner. She had to be deliberate in her moving. I’m sure she had to be intentional in planning her trips to go get food from afar making sure she got enough food to meet the need. She had to be strategic in ensuring that her family never went without proper covering. This is a woman, a resourceful homemaker, who knows the importance of planning so that her household is in order.

We should all strive to be this intentional. The saying “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail” rings true as I think of the importance of a homemaker intentionally organizing. Taking time to plan out meals, putting together a budget and even creating a family schedule can be keys to success.

None of this planning can be completely successful without prayer. A resourceful homemaker understands the power of prayer. After all, she is a woman who fears the Lord. (vs. 30) In fact, prayer must come before the planning. It must accompany the plans. The more time spent in intentional prayer and intentional time seeking God, the more we will see God working things out in our homes. God always answers prayers right on time. Even when it seems as if it it’s not lining up the way we thought it would. We must remember that God is not slack. Watch God move! Seeing God make a way will keep us, resourceful homemakers, reminded that ‘God will supply all our needs’. (Philippians 4:19)