Submission... the ultimate in freedom

Proverbs 31:23
“Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders..”

This verse is particularly interesting. At long last and seemingly out of nowhere, the 13th verse finally references the Proverbs 31 man. Yet only after 12 vivid descriptions and just before 8 more about the Proverbs 31 woman. While such placement would seem odd at first, it makes perfect sense upon closer reflection. For when we believe in and act upon the Proverbs 31 passage in faith, we are actually using our work, our time, along with our talents, resources, and words to raise others up. As we continue to do good for others, we soon discover we gladly do so out of love for our loved ones and for our Creator too. This verse is the essence of submission.

Oh how I hear all the loud voices as I write this. "What submission?" "In this day and age?" "Not me, not ever."In fact, just the sheer thought of submission has a way of sending a collective shiver up and down the spines of many. For in an age marked by feminism and personal freedom, many women would at least laugh at the word as though I were telling some kind of joke. Then there are those who find themselves on the other end of the spectrum; those who would not dare do anything without first consulting their husband for approval. Paralyzed by fear, they wouldn't dare do anything remotely considered unsubmissive. Admittedly, my partner would tell you I was once amongst the former crowd, laughing at the sheer prospect of submitting to anyone and totally embracing the mantra, "No one is the boss of me." That is until recently.

I now truly believe that submission falls somewhere in between the two extremes. Submission is not oppressive. What's more, submission is not about losing one's voice or one's personal freedom. Rather, at the heart of submission is an attitude of service to others. A self-less, disciplined act of total surrender, submission is not done out of fear, but rather out of unconditional love towards others. No longer focused on one's own needs and wants, submission is an act of unconditional love, making everything and everyone around better as a result of our presence. It is in this goodness, in serving the lead and needs of others before our own that we have an opportunity to touch and heal the lives of many, inspiring others with our words and creating an atmosphere where others have the freedom to do their very best. It is in glorifying others, in glorifying our Creator, that the same glory returns to us a thousand fold and in the most beautifully  unexpected ways.  In loving and surrendering totally to the need and lead of others, in focusing on others before our selves, true submission is not at all confining; rather, it is the ultimate in freedom.

Remember ... touch a life today "The Little Way" by following the lead and need of others. Also, if you ever thought to yourself, "I wish my community, knew...", then be sure to visit White Light Communications at http://www.tothewhitelight.com.
~ Theresa

Dressing Our Home and Our Selves in God's Blessings

Proverbs 31:22
“She makes herself coverings of tapestries;
her clothing is silk and purple.”

The virtuous individual is diligent, enterprising, selfless, and practical; not only in serving the needs of family, but also in nurturing themselves and their appearance. Why? To ignore or neglect family and appearance, to look impoverished, shabby, or threadbare are not marks of spirituality. Rather, a modest level of material prosperity is in fact a sign that God's blessings have been bestowed upon His sons and daughters. Therefore, the appearance of our home, however modest, as well as our own appearance self are reflections of all those we honor and cherish: God, our spouse, and our loved ones. It is for this reason the virtuous individual strives to include both in their daily routine.

So how do we maintain a lovely home along with our appearance with limited resources? A virtuous individual maintains and prioritizes goals as well as uses their time wisely  so as to serve their family while being mindful of their own appearance. A creative individual, they create a warm, inviting home for their loved ones using elegant decorating ideas. They cover walls, furniture, and beds with hand embroidered items, colorful paints, exquisite stencils, well-made fabrics, hand-woven tapestries, and more to ensure every room, including the bedroom, is a sacred, inviting sanctuary worthy of the loved ones they cherish.

Further, the virtuous individual spends their resources wisely, choosing only the finest fabrics such as cotton, linen, or silk and selecting only the most glorious colors to match their regal and godly character. Dressing well speaks a great deal about one's true character and dignity for the outward garments that are worn is a portrait of the beauty and splendor found within. Most of all... and this is something that is often ignored... the virtuous individual develops, rather than stifles, their sensuality to sustain a healthy self-image, a vibrant marriage, and a loving family life. For the sheer presence of a virtuous man or woman is not only pleasing to the eye and to all the senses, but also enriches the lives of many with their beautifully vibrant soul.  It all starts with creating a warm, inviting place and in nurturing ourselves so we can love and care for others.

Remember ... touch a life today "The Little Way" by following the lead and need of others. Also, if you ever thought to yourself, "I wish my community, knew...", then be sure to visit White Light Communications at http://www.tothewhitelight.com.
~ Theresa

Dressing Loved Ones in Scarlet

Proverbs 31:21
"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet."

This is such a simple yet beautiful verse depicting how the virtuous individual provides for their loved ones - both physically and spiritually - by anticipating their needs ahead of time.  By planning ahead with purpose and a firm goal in mind, the virtuous individual is prepared to protect the well-being of their loved ones from cold weather, financial hardships, or any other difficulties that may arise. It is for this reason that they do not fear for their household.

Further, regardless of season or circumstance, the virtuous individual does not fear, honor, or give reverence to any challenge. All are viewed as insignificant in light of their preparedness. In this particular verse, the virtuous individual plans for the physical warmth and comfort of their loved ones by dressing them in warm clothing of "scarlet." While the color scarlet of itself is not inherently warm, its use in this verse has significant meaning. In biblical times, scarlet clothing was often made of wool, thereby preserving warmth. What's more, the clothing's color provided desired ornamentation as the  scarlet color was considered royal or dignified.

The "Scarlet" color was "derived from a cochineal-like insect known as a Tola. When crushed, the Tola produced a fine deep red, or rich crimson dye, much admired by royalty and Asians alike. Upon closer examination, I  learned our Lord often compared himself to this cochineal-like insect or'worm'. For example, in Psalm 22:6, He shared, "Yet, I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned by humanity and despised by people." It is then that "clothed with scarlet" takes on its spiritual meaning. While Moses may have referred to scarlet wool as providing much physical warmth within the Old Testament, the  New Testament refers to the "scarlet clothing" of blood Jesus shed on our behalf to forgive and protect us from our sins.

Thus, regardless of challenge, be it physical or spiritual in nature, the virtuous individual is well-prepared to protect the well-being of their family. That through their faith and prayers, they do not fear for their household.  Dressed in the scarlet blood of Jesus, they are confident in their abilities to keep their loved ones safe, warm, AND loved. A colorful - and formidable - choice of clothing for all of us to wear indeed when presenting ourselves to the world, don't you think?

Remember ... touch a life today "The Little Way" by following the lead and need of others. Also, if you ever thought to yourself, "I wish my community, knew...", then be sure to visit White Light Communications at http://www.tothewhitelight.com.
~ Theresa

Reaching Out with a Loving Hand and Compassionate Heart

Proverbs 31:20

She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

This verse is a wonderful example of parallelism. Often found in Hebrew poetry, parallelism refers to the presentation of two similar ideas; in this case, the second phrase basically saying the same thing as the first, with only minor variations: help the poor and needy. With "poor” and “needy” both meaning "afflicted or humbled, the terms often describe those who are physically and/or materially poor. Yet, the terms may also refer to believers who recognize their spiritual poverty. That is to say, they realize their spiritual growth is dependent on acknowledging their desperate need for that which only the Lord can supply. When He supplies us with whatever we lack, we are rich indeed.

During the days of His humiliation, our blessed Lord was also referred to as "poor": "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2 Cor. 8:9). It is for this reason, God asks us to reach out and help the poor and needy in the same way He has helped us. When we do, we honor Him in the same way He honors us.

With this in mind, the virtuous individual demonstrates compassion with concrete deeds toward the poor and needy. S/he loves the poor, not in word or in tongue only, but also in deed and in truth. But what really strikes me about this verse are the words, “she stretches out her hands to the needy." These words immediately conjure up an image of a mother reaching out to her children in time of need. it in fact reminds me of when my children were young. When either of them cried after being hurt or disappointed, my hand would automatically reach out to them without thinking.

Along with an image of a mother "stretching out her hands to the needy”,  I also envision a virtuous individual who wants to do more than just give of her time, resources, or money. With a mother's natural instinct, the Proverbs 31 individual wants to show true compassion, nurturing all those who are in need. When they do, they realize help comes in many forms; not just monetarily. In fact, s/he realizes that there are times when the right thing to do is to NOT give any money. For example, in the case of a man who deceptively begs for money for groceries, only to spend it on alcohol. Or, in the case of a woman who routinely goes around church to church looking for free meals and financial gifts. Supporting this kind of behavior does not teach long-term personal responsibility.

Using wisdom and discernment, the Proverbs 31 often nurtures using creative, and often alternative, means. While s/he realizes giving of resources is a valuable and much-needed thing to do, s/he is also mindful to give of their heart too. For example, if a person is truly hungry, and s/he believes it is proper to help, the Proverbs 31 individual invites him or her into their home. They sit with them; share a meal with them; include them in as part of your family; and most of all… ask them to stay long enough for some words of encouragement, whether from the Bible or another inspirational work. The end result? The Proverbs 31 individual not only fed their tummy, but their heart too.

Hebrews 13:2

Let us be mindful to be as charitable with our hearts as we are with our resources. And remember… "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

In closing, when extending a helping hand to others, ask God for guidance; specifically, wisdom and discernment in how best to meet the needs of those with whom He has placed in your life.

Luke 12:48

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Remember ... touch a life today "The Little Way" by following the lead and need of others. Also, if you ever thought to yourself, "I wish my community, knew...", then be sure to visit White Light Communications at http://www.tothewhitelight.com.
~ Theresa

Doing Work with Great Love

Proverbs 31:19
She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff

The Proverbs 31 individual’s hands are rarely, if ever, idle. They use their time and hands wisely, faithfully, and skillfully to provide clothing, bed linens, and other necessities for family and others. In particular, this verse describes an ancient method of spinning fiber into thread. Prior to the advent of a spinning wheel, a spinster used a distaff (a staff) to hold flax, wool, or other fibers while a spindle spun fiber in a circular twisting and turning motion into thread.

An arduous undertaking, an individual who held a distaff and spindled fiber at the same time possessed great physical, spiritual, and mental strength. Further, they possessed much patience and endurance as it took much time to complete. An individual demonstrating these characteristics was considered a great blessing to all those in their life.

The New Testament describes such a woman. Her name was Tabitha - Aramaic for gazelle. Much like a gazelle, Tabitha was beautiful, nimble, and well known for her skilled artistry. Many smiled and felt relief in her presence; it was as though a heavy burden lifted. She was well loved, respected, and surrounded by those who clearly saw and felt the work and character of Christ within her.

In modern times, qualities such as strength, patience, and endurance as well as skills such as sewing, knitting, and quilting have become lost in favor of instant gratification and disposable wares. Yet there is so much value in creating something with your own hands; not just sentimental value, but financial value too as it costs far less to make your own clothing and quilts, for example, than to purchase them. What’s more, children can learn so much from watching their mother and father work, allowing many qualities and skills to pass onto future generations.

Whether at home or away, truly following the lead and needs of others does not occur overnight; nor does such service diminish over time. Rather, it takes time, commitment, and effort to develop the patience, strength, and endurance to serve God and others. When performed with great love, the effort of one’s service grows more beautiful as time passes. An effort that requires investment in our self and in the relationships we have with others and with God.

It starts by asking God to bless our hands, making them skillful and successful for Him. With His blessings, we are then capable of doing amazing things with our hands. Next, believing in His Word gives us the strength, patience, and endurance to commit to following the lead and needs of others. “Servant leadership” - and its many forms - is a beautiful tapestry created with threads of strength, patience, and endurance woven with God’s Word, unconditional love, and acceptance. Laying His hands wisely and faithfully onto a spindle while skillfully holding a distaff, it is with God’s refinement that we become a most treasured masterpiece. What's more, in being created in His image, we have been given hands in which to create the most beautiful masterpieces of our own. The blessedness of our hands and of our work comes from creating something with much love, just as our Heavenly Father did when He used His Hands in creating us.

Remember ... touch a life today "The Little Way" by following the lead and need of others. Also, if you ever thought to yourself, "I wish my community, knew...", then be sure to visit White Light Communications at http://www.tothewhitelight.com.
~ Theresa

Working Hard is Profitable

Proverbs 31:18
She sees that her trading is profitable;
her lamp does not go out at night.

She sees that her trading is profitable

The Proverbs 31 individual is confident and assured, viewing their work as being with and for God. With their whole life - personality, time, talent, influence, material substance, everything - dedicated to God, their confidence and self-assurance do not come from what they are capable of doing, but rather from recognizing their work as inherently good. For this reason, they carefully monitor all their work, ensuring their motivation is pure rather than out of selfishness.

Financially, the Proverbs 31 individual strives to live their life on a balanced budget. Being mindful not to spend beyond their means, they purchase quality items for their business and for their family without causing undue hardship. While they may experience setbacks along the way, they are not discouraged. During the lean times they make do with what they have or go without. With a little creativity, they’ve learned to create things with little or no value into something useful and of great value. Much like sea merchants who take many risks in pursuit of godly pearls, the Proverbs 31 individual is determined to forge ahead even in turbulent times as they know the ultimate reward is of great value and well worth the trouble.

Realizing this life choice requires perseverance and a great deal of hard work, the Proverbs 31 individual takes time to reflect on and feels a sense of pride in their many accomplishments. This sense of pride is not out of arrogance; rather, deep down they know they are good and it is this pride that encourages them to continue working hard. They are also very mindful to keep their egos in check as it is so easy to go astray. They do so by reminding themselves often that it is only through God's good grace that they've been able to accomplish so much with their life and are most appreciative of the gift He has provided.

As a result of this appreciation and from having performed good works for and through the Lord, the Proverbs 31 individual is at a great advantage when compared with their peers. They grow abundantly richer as their good work is garnered with much Wisdom - far more precious than fine gold or silver.

Her lamp does not go out at night

The lamp of the Proverbs 31 individual is always burning. Working diligently, they rise early in the morning and stay up until very late at night, never weary of doing good work. While at times, their spiritual prosperity may dampen, they are able to withstand even the darkest of times without ever extinguishing as they are rooted and grounded in God’s Word and Unconditional Love. 

The light illuminating the Proverbs 31 individual’s lamp is Jesus as He is the light of the world. The oil fueling that lamp is the power of the Holy Spirit. Through the power of the Holy Spirit the Proverbs 31 individual becomes the instrument through which Jesus’ light shines ever so brightly for all to see.

Remember ... touch a life today "The Little Way" by following the lead and need of others.  Also, if you ever thought to yourself, "I wish my community, knew...", then be sure to visit White Light Communications at http://www.tothewhitelight.com.

~ Theresa

Dressing in Strength

Proverbs 31: 17
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

While one of the shorter verses, this one is incredibly beautiful. So much so, I share its richness with you in the form of a Trinity – in three parts.

• She dresses herself. In a very literal sense, a Proverbs 31 individual is self-directing and does not need or expect anyone to lay out their clothes; dictate their mode of dress; provide a weather forecast ahead of time; or explain what is or is not appropriate for each day's activities. In fact, the Proverbs 31 individual is well-prepared for anything, both literally and figuratively, as they are dressed in a strength not intended for the weak of will or the weak in intellect and are ready to walk with someone greater than their own self.  Further, counter to conventional wisdom, they are dressed in an attire often associated with a mustang – strong, mystical, wildly passionate; the essence of freedom that can’t stand still. For it is this very strength of will and fierce independence that has provided them with the endurance they have needed to withstand life’s greatest challenges. It is for these reasons they do not require, or expect others to make life easy for them. With a calling from God, they are equipped to live according to His Word. From hardships, they are now dressed in much humility and with an open, malleable heart; transformed into a beautiful image that is in His likeness - pure of heart, with a compassionate spirit garnered with self-control and wisdom. Regardless of weather, this wisdom allows them to cherish rather than fear the narrow path they have chosen. Intelligent and ready to place full trust in Him, they are very capable of discerning whether the outlook is bright and sunny; dark and gloomy; or thundering with fierce winds blowing their way. And yes... while much of the secular world does not fully understand or appreciate the rewards associated with this less travelled path, they willingly follow the lead and needs of others in spite of their fierce independence as rewards have been many. Unconditional love and acceptance has brought much peace, security, and freedom to a life once wild and out of control. From this contentment, the mustang heart of the Proverbs 31 individual has been tamed, awakened with new confidence, and still growing in so many beautiful ways with a new-found purpose of reaching and touching the lives of many in the same way they have been touched. Dressed in self-control, discipline, and wisdom, they are rich in the fruit of the Holy Spirit  - an "adornment" suitably worn for every occasion and every activity.

• She dresses herself with strength. Strength comes in many forms, and is suitably worn for every occasion and every activity. Strength comes from understanding and living the Word of God; from wearing God’s armor to withstand temptation; and from wearing joy and abundance in having God living within their heart. Strength also comes from wearing the peace of Christ, freeing them from trouble and fear; from wearing the kind of humility that places the needs of others before themselves; and in wearing a contrite spirit from offering forgiveness. It also comes dressed as an attitude that comforts others in the same way they were once comforted. Wearing the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, the Proverb 31 individual is pure, peaceful, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, impartial, and sincere. They are indeed dressed in a strength described in Corinthians 2:6,  as “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”
  

• She makes her arms strong. Having experienced incredible love and acceptance, the Proverbs 31 individual now takes excellent care of others, placing the needs of others ahead of their own. Tender and wise, they offer guidance and counsel to others, directing them in the Way they should go. Loving them enough to discipline when necessary, they do so without anger or frustration and always demonstrate their great love and self-control. In addition to tending to the needs of others, the Proverbs 31 individual also carries the burdens of others, garnering the required strength from faith, prayer, and good works. Most of all, they demonstrate their love for our Creator through the outpouring of love they have for their community. Striving to not contain themselves within a "bubble", they effectively and intimately use their words and deeds to share God’s Word and Unconditional love to a lost and depraved world - for to separate the two, all efforts would be in vane.
  

So whatever you do to manifest your life's purpose, be sure to put on your Sunday best, comb your hair, wash your face, and get ready for each new day that awaits you. And remember ... when you do.... don't bother putting on your shoes. Rather, walk barefoot among the people and work diligently with your hands all the while fully dressed in your "royal attire"!

Remember ... touch a life today "The Little Way" by following the lead and need of others.  Also, if you ever thought to yourself, "I wish my community, knew...", then be sure to visit White Light Communications at http://www.tothewhitelight.com.

~ Theresa