Where are my Servant Girls?

Proverbs 31:15

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

I can't help but smile as I read this verse. It instantly takes me back to a conversation I had several years ago with my grandma.

I don't know how the conversation got here, but she was talking about reading this verse and asking God, "Hey! No wonder this woman can do all this stuff. She has servant girls. Why, Lord? Why can't I have servant girls?"

It's a legitimate question. When we read this verse, it's easy to skip past the part about getting up early and jump right to the unfair portion. Where are my servant girls?

My grandma felt like the Lord spoke to her that day. Very directly. As she was complaining about not having servant girls- he gently reminded her of her dishwasher, the washing machine, the dryer, the vacuum cleaner. These aren't servant girls, but they do certainly make the job easier. Personally, I may exchange my dishwasher for a helper's conversation and sweet company, though : )

Okay... okay... enough dreaming about hired help around here. What is this verse really trying to teach us?

This woman works hard and is productive. I don't get up before the sun rises, but I can tell you that most of my hard work gets done while my boys are busy. This past weekend, I had dishes to make for potluck parties and I purposely got up before they did to cook. It was so.... peaceful. I didn't have to feel bad kicking Caleb out of the kitchen. I didn't have to feel bad watching Ross chase Caleb around. I could just enjoy the peaceful morning cooking and caring for my family.

How do you feel about your daily tasks now? Are they harried and hectic? Are you constantly being torn between household tasks and the screams of your children? Do you have trouble concentrating on one task? Perhaps it would best be done in a peaceful home. Maybe that means rising earlier than your family. Maybe it means working during naps instead of reading or checking Facebook (personal conviction- here!) Maybe it means working at home while the children are at school, instead of busying ourselves with lots of appointments.

This woman is also generous. My NIV study bible doesn't make any specific notes here about this verse, but I am assuming that it was especially kind of her to set aside portions of food for her servant girls. Now, we aren't going to set aside portions of food for our dishwasher and vacuum cleaner... but we can be kind and generous to others who help us.

My mom sets a great example of being generous to others. She has several medical issues and sees many doctors and visits the pharmacy often. She could be discouraged about her situation, but instead, she blesses doctors, nurses and pharmacists with plates of cookies and other treats. Who can you provide portions for? The mailman. Your child's teacher. Your neighbors.

This verse demonstrates again how we can be loving and faithful- by working hard and being generous.