Day 16: Being a Caretaker

Proverbs 31:21- "...for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet."

Proverbs 31:21- "...She has given them all good, warm clothes."

Proverbs 31:21- "...because her whole family has a double layer of clothing."

Yesterday we talked about how the Proverbs 31 woman was a planner. She prepared her family for the winters that they would face-- and she planned and prepared even when it wasn't winter. We learned that she didn't worry or fear for what was to come because she had a game plan and was mindful of using her extra time to ensure that they would all be taken care of. 

The last part of Proverbs 31:21 says that the Proverbs 31 woman didn't worry about the harshness of winter because her family was clothed in scarlet. According to a study Bible, being clothed in scarlet means "having double garments." Not only did they have one wardrobe to get them through the cold months, they had double the garments to make sure they were extra warm.

After reading this verse, I got so overwhelmed with the fact that God called women to be the caretakers of our family. What a privilege and what a responsibility.

I know some days it probably feels like the whole world is on your shoulders, Momma. You are exhausted. You are depleted. You don't think you listen to one more person cry. You are tired of being touched. You have a list of things still to get done before bed. You have a birthday party to plan and you haven't even started thinking about it. Your child has a homework project they just told you about. Your husband is working over for the 3rd night this week. You are behind on laundry. And all you can think about right now is climbing in your bed with a tub of ice cream and just crying. I get it. I've been there, girl. Some days, you just feel overwhelmed.

I saw a quote on Pinterest that says, "To all those moms who do so much for their family, but who don't feel important.... Women like you are what holds a family together. You are stronger than you know." And I wish I could hug every single one of you today and remind you of that-- you are stronger than you know. You are the glue. You are the thread. Your family wouldn't function without you-- and today, instead of thinking about the weight that you carry because of that statement-- think about the beauty in it. God picked you out of every woman in this world to care for your husband and your children. He knew only YOU could do what He needs done. He molded you and your husband... and he looked at your husband as he was growing up... and He thought, "This man needs a woman that can love him past all of his downfalls... past all of his hurt... past all of this heaviness he carries around. He needs a woman that is going to help him... better him... push him." And he saw you-- in all of your beauty-- and decided you would be a perfect fit for that man. I know we get so caught up with life some days-- and we get bitter and angry and overwhelmed-- and we look at this grown man and get frustrated with the little things he does or says, but ladies.... lets just step back today and look at the man God designed for you. He trusted you to love him and protect him and help him. He trusted you to be his caretaker. Caretaker of his heart, his health, his home, his happiness. You are needed, wife. You are wanted, Momma. You are important.

"The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your home." [Harold B. Lee]

"If you want to change the world, go home and love your family." [Mother Teresa]

We have one of the most important jobs on the planet--- We have beautiful children that look up to us in every aspect of our lives. I was just talking to my husband about this the other day- our children are 100% trusting in us. We drive them somewhere-- they trust that we will protect them and keep them safe. We drop our oldest daughter off at school every day- she trusts that we will be back to pick her up. We cook food for our children-- they immediately trust that it will not hurt them. They trust us in every aspect of their lives-- and this is something precious that we always need to cultivate and respect. God gave us these children-- and we should do everything in our power to give them the best life possible because of this. I'm not just talking about a financially secure upbringing, either. This is a blessing, but God-- let us spend more time with our children. Help us to stop being "Let me get this done first" parents. Help us to remember that the most important work we will ever do is right there with those babies. We are their caretakers-- and we should feel so loved, so needed, and so wanted because of this.

The Proverbs 31 woman didn't fear winter because she 1) prepared and planned for her entire family and 2) because she knew the kind of caretaker she was-- she didn't just get them one wardrobe to survive the cold-- she had double garments to ensure that they were not cold. She put their needs above anything else. She worked hard to make them feel comfortable and loved. 

God, today-- help us to remember our purpose. Help us to remember what You called us to be. Help us to not be burdened with caring for our family, but help us to see our WORTH through YOUR eyes! You love us so much-- you hand picked a gorgeous family for us-- help us to always see our value to them-- and our value to YOU. God, let us be caretakers. Let us learn how to best care for our families. Help us to slow down in our busy lives so we can care for our family in more ways than just finances or a clean house. Please help us to take care of our families mentally and spiritually as well. Help us to be examples of YOUR love and YOUR kindness. We love You Jesus!