Wise Woman Builds

- The choice is ours. Do you and I want to be our family builder (aka the wise woman) or family destroyer (aka the foolish woman)?
- What do we want our family and our relationships within the family to be like? We have been given the power and responsibility to build, strengthen, and protect our family. Our actions, attitudes, and words can either build others up or tear them down. Choose wisely. "A quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof." (Proverbs 19:13b) That's one example of a foolish woman/wife destroying her house (a constant leaky roof is very unpleasant and troublesome, indeed...Who wants to live in a house like that?). Or we can choose to do what Ephesians 4:29 says, instead: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
- To ponder: Are we building a peaceful, joyful, loving, grace-filled, Christ-centered, mission-minded home? Are we training up warrior-servants (our children)/equipping our "arrows" for launching out to impact the world for God's glory and God's kingdom? Are we encouraging and supporting our husbands? Are we submissive and respectful to our husbands? Are we practicing hospitality and reaching out to the needy?
- "Watch out for parasites. A parasite is anything that latches onto you or your family members and sucks the life out of your family. They promise pleasure but grow like a disease and consume more and more of your thoughts, time, and money." (from The Love Dare) You can also think of these as "termites" that destroy your home/family. Beware of them and get rid of them!
- Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please give me wisdom, strength, and grace that I need to build my family to be a family that glorifies & honors You and puts You first above all else. Please show me when and where "termites" try to undermine and destroy my family and how to get rid of them. Please empower us with Your Holy Spirit each day to build, strengthen, and protect our family. Please help us see opportunities to use words that encourage and edify and help us be able to hold back words that tear down. In Jesus's Name, I pray. Amen.