:: Wifeys, Encourage Your Hubs! ::

I’ve been reading through Proverbs lately. Very slowly, yes, but still reading through it. I was in Proverbs 7 and 8 this morning (I think) and the passages spoke of fleeing from the “immoral woman.” What stuck out to me from these passages this morning was how the woman lured the married man. Of course, sexuality was one way, but the hook, line, and sinker was her words of flattery. Really? Our men can be bought that easily? But over and over again in Proverbs, when it speaks of the immoral woman, it warns men of God not to fall into the trap of her flattering words.

Which only affirms that which I knew already. Men need to be flattered! I assume that the man who had his fill of flattery at home from his wife wouldn’t have a need to search elsewhere for affirmations. On the other hand, the man who is starving for respect will probably hang onto the first woman who says nice things about him. I mean, if I were the man, I’d rather be with someone who flatters me than puts me down. Not that I’m excusing adultery, I’m just saying there are many players in the game.

So ladies – play your part and do what you can to fight adultery! Encourage your hubsies! =)

:: Planning vs. God’s Sovereignty ::

Getting to work and class on time is a serious crap shoot. I can either be 25 minutes early or 15 minutes late, which is why I just leave 40 minutes early, even though it could potentially be a 15 minute drive. If I get there early, then I just get some time with the Lord, so I win either way.

Anyways, I came upon this passage earlier last week from Proverbs 3:21-26, and have been thinking about it since. This comes from the NLT, which I’m not a super huge fan of, but do read occasionally.

“My child, don’t lose sight of good planning and insight. Hang on to them, for they will fill you with life and bring you honor and respect. They keep you safe on your way and keep your feet from stumbling. You can lie down without fear and enjoy pleasant dreams. You need not be afraid of disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.”

I like this passage, because it reminds me that it’s important to plan. Now, I’m not a J by any means (Myer’s Briggs) but as I’ve matured and grown up, I’ve realized that it’s not just good to plan but  even beneficial for my well-being to go into situations with some plan, even if God decides to go another route. By having some plan, I’m not scrambling around last minute and can focus on the task at hand better, rather than being distracted with thinking about what I need to do, if that makes any sense. This verse has helped me as I’ve thought through what I wanted to accomplish in a family therapy session last week, but remains applicable for everything.

Now the flip side is that my rest and security is ultimately in God’s sovereignty. The point isn’t to plan so rigidly so as to prevent God from working through me, but to hold my plans with an open hand for God to bless or take away. My security is in God, not my plan. But peace also comes from planning. Confusing? Yah, I’ve had to wrestle my way through thinking about this too.  :-)