I was blessed to have a career that allowed me to begin each semester with a “clean slate”. As a university and seminary professor, most fall semesters I taught the Principles of Biblical Womanhood course. It allowed me to introduce my students to God’s special instructions to women—specifically, those found in Proverbs 31:10-31; Titus 2:3-5, and 1 Peter 2:21-3:12. Today I am reminded that Proverbs 31:10-31 is a timeless passage containing the guidelines for 21st century women to confidently return to “life” in the changed world that COVID-19 created!
Will you consider what the passage suggests for you, begin your Fall with a “clean slate,” and prayerfully apply its truths to your life? The guidelines are personalized for you.
I Will Apply Proverbs 31:10-31 to a Changed World by . . .
Setting priorities. Establishing reasonable goals each day and outlining steps to achieve them transitions my goals from a “wish list” to an accomplished project. Affirming myself for each accomplished step and acknowledging that some days will be more productive than others may give my mental health a boost (31:27).
Maintaining a regular schedule including a standard bed time, a consistent time for meals, and a commitment to retaining personal grooming standards, work or study schedules, as well as exercise (31:17).
Cultivating creative skills rather than ingesting a steady diet of information from the news and social media (31:18-19, 24).
Modeling a healthy lifestyle that includes
Sharpening my nutritional knowledge and food preparation skills
Creating tasty, economical meals
Becoming imaginative in relation to my physical activities; for example, rather than lifting weights at the gym I can use canned foods as weights at home
Multi-tasking by integrating deep breathing into the 20 second hand washing ritual (31:15, 17).
Cleaning, purging, and organizing so that I am maintaining a home that is a nurturing atmosphere for everyone who lives in and visits it (31:21, 27).
Evaluating personal finances and readjusting, as necessary, the family budget. Reviewing investments, updating the will or living trust, and placing in order my financial household (31:16, 18).
Connecting with others. Whether through electronics, snail mail, or the old fashioned method of “reaching out and touching someone” by phone, I will purpose to stay in contact with my family, friends, and the needy (31:20, 31).
Developing a strategy for coping with the “new normal.” Components of the strategy might include:
Choosing to be kind since consideration and tolerance for others is imperative as society adjusts to the “new normal.” I will be careful to remember that everyone may not be anxious to reintegrate into the mainstream of society. As well, though it may not be my first choice, I resolve to practice the safety recommendations of the CDC, since an act of kindness can be as simple as adhering to them for the benefit of others.
Balancing braveness with discernment. I will consider that many individuals experience fear and anxiety about reintegrating into a world that is drastically different from the one they knew in January. I choose to use discernment to reintegrate at a pace that aligns with my age and health constraints. Concurrently, I want to be brave enough to take a step of faith toward merging into the “new normal.” Above all, I will refuse to be intimidated by those individuals more adventurous than I am.
Practicing patience. Adjusting to the “new normal” will undoubtedly require time. I will take joy in each reopened privilege rather than becoming frustrated that life is not what it was like a year ago. Practicing patience includes embracing realistic expectations for this season of my life. Doing so can eliminate both stress and grief. Through the Lord’s strength each day I will follow the Proverbs 31 woman’s model and purpose to daily “fear the Lord!” (31:25-26, 30).
Kelsey’s Korner asks several probing questions as well as offering practical tips for adapting to life in a changed world.
KELSEY’S KORNER
Slowly but surely, life during this global pandemic is starting to return to a new, strange normal. We are growing used to the idea of “social distancing,” and masks have become as much a part of our don’t-leave-the-house-without wardrobes as our shoes and wallets. Yet as we begin to reintegrate into our social groups and churches, and as our children start to return to school and we head back to the office, many of us are left with uncertainties and fears. How do we navigate this new normal? And how do we interact with those who view the pandemic differently than us?
As we ponder these questions, here are a few tips for us all to keep in mind:
The pandemic should be taken seriously. It’s so easy to look at the fairly low mortality rates (as of writing, estimated at around 3% in America) and to conclude that the pandemic is over-hyped. However, keep these facts in mind:
Although 3% may feel low, 3% of a large number is…a large number. In just 6 months, the US is already closing-in on 200,000 deaths. For some perspective, in 2019 about 39,000 people in the US died from car crashes.
COVID-19 is a novel virus, meaning it has never been previously identified. We know very little about this viral strain, including why it works the way it does, why it effects certain body systems, and its long-term effects on those who have been exposed.
The virus is extremely virulent, and we may be contagious even before we show symptoms, therefore continuing to spread the virus and increase the death toll.
Research what we do know about the virus. In order to avoid misinformation, go to the sources at the frontline of reliable, accurate research, not to your neighbor who’s a self-proclaimed COVID-19 expert. Sources such as the CDC, the WHO, the NIH, trusted universities and hospitals, and even state departments of health are all great resources for information.
Consider the value and statement of wearing a mask. According to the CDC, the virus is mainly spread through respiratory droplets (think, the tiny spit particles that come out when we cough, sneeze, and even talk). The viruses hitch a ride from person to person on these particles, therefore infecting people.
The value of masks: Masks block these virus-laced respiratory droplets from flying onto whoever we are talking to! And although masks aren’t as efficient at protecting you from others who aren’t wearing masks, wearing a mask protects others in case you’re sick and asymptomatic. In other words, if everyone is wearing a mask properly, the likelihood of illness drops significantly. To back this up, the CDC reported a case of two hair stylists who continued working (but wore face masks) while they were sick with COVID-19. Between the two, they spent at least 15 minutes with 139 clients, yet, incredibly, none of the clients became sick.
The statement of masks: Masks are uncomfortable, hard to breathe in, and ugly. And they don’t even really protect the wearer from getting sick, so what’s the point! In my opinion, masks are an incredible tool to display the Christian ethic of “loving your neighbor” (Lev. 19:18). Philippians 2:3-4 states, “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant that yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” I believe there is enough scientific evidence to back-up the truth that masks help prevent the transmission of COVID-19, but even if you don’t agree, recognize that others deeply believe that masks help. If we choose not to wear masks around others, we are, in a sense, saying “I know you think me wearing a mask may protect you from potentially getting COVID-19, but my opinions, comforts, and freedoms are more important to me.” As Philippians states, we are called to view the wellbeing and interests of others as more significant that our own. Masks are a 15 cent tool to show others that we care about them.
Side note—there is a correct and incorrect way to wear a mask, as well as masks that are and are not recommended.
It only takes stepping off of your front porch or opening a social media app to see all of the differing views on the pandemic, on masks, and on our government’s responsibilities. Seek to form your opinions through humility, love, and research, and when you meet someone who does not share your view, purpose to treat them with love, respect, and deference. When we embrace the humility-filled Spirit of Christ, there can be no allowance for prideful, condescending attitudes in our own hearts. So as you rejoin society, do so prepared with knowledge, love, humility, and plenty of hand sanitizer and masks.
THE EVERYDAY HOMEMAKER’S MONTHLY MEDITATION THOUGHT
God’s Word states, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” (Prov. 31:25)
Therefore, I may boldly say, “as challenging as it is to return to life in a changed world, I can face the future with its unexpected challenges with confidence because I fear the Lord.”
You might enjoy other of our Everyday Homemaker Posts:
“The Incredible Search for a Godly Woman Begins in My Home”
“The Quest for a Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God”
“Exploring God’s Special Instructions to Women”
“Is Your Focus for Fall Fear or Faith?”
Blessings on your day as you focus on making your house a home!