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Priorities

             She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. (Proverbs 13:15-19)

Once again, it might be easy to see this woman as a workaholic, and she certainly does get things done, but consider what kinds of things she gets done. She takes care of her family’s needs first thing. She gets things set for her staff. She considers possible investments of time, money, and energy and buys land, then plants a crop-producing garden. She sees that what she’s doing is having a desired outcome and doesn’t get bored and go to bed early, or vegetate in front of the TV or computer screen. In fact, when the day ends, she settles in and starts spinning.

She has her priorities set and doesn’t get distracted from them. People – family and staff – come first. Next, she gets to work on doing things that will benefit her in the long term. She invests her money, her time, and her strength, and when the day is over, she knows she’s done a good job.

This is one of the things I like about gardening. It’s hard work, but the outcome can not only benefit me but also be given to others. I wonder how much our lives would change if we started thinking more like her.

And having done a good job at all of that, she returns to what gave her eager hands in yesterday’s passage, crafting – turning wool and flax into thread. This is something I understand. Let me sit down without a task at hand, and I’m likely to pick up yarn, a paintbrush (don’t get excited!), or some herbs that are waiting for the next step in preservation. I’ve been known to crochet or stitch boxes while walking. These are things that can be done without a lot of attention (though it’s better if you pay at least some attention) and can be done in the company of others. Her “kick back” time is spent doing something worthwhile that she apparently enjoys (it’s been mentioned twice.)

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