As we continue to discuss the characteristics of the foolish woman; the particular things that make her foolish, look down at your hands. Think of all the things your hands do in a day’s time. They soothe, they pick things up, they dust, they wave goodbye, they welcome friends, they prepare meals, they hold a magazine, they dial a phone number, they start the washing machine, they cuddle a baby, they open your Bible.

I am a very task oriented person. I’ve made lists since I was a little girl. I love being able to come back and check off the chore or assignment when it’s completed; it’s such a feeling of accomplishment! Yesterday I had a plan for the day, along with a long list of all that I was going to do. However, my daughter had needs, and I was the only one that could take care of them, so I did. My husband asked me to make a visit with him, so I did. My “to do” list lay flapping in the breeze of our busyness, unattended on the counter. There were no check marks to announce my accomplishments. Unbeknown to me, the Lord had written at the top of my list, “1. Learn the lesson of good choices.”

In the middle of the visit I thought, “I am choosing to make my husband my priority – no matter that this will keep me from doing what I had planned tonight.” I had to make a phone call and inform someone that I wouldn’t be able to do what I had promised them, but that I needed to care for my family instead.

I wish I could say that I’ve always done that, and with the right attitude; I haven’t. However, with the Lord teaching me recently how foolish the foolish woman’s ways are, that truth was right before my eyes, and I could only obey! The result? Joy! (Blessing never precedes obedience) Because I had to stay home last night, I was also able to fulfill a promise to my daughter that wouldn’t have been done otherwise. My list of “to do’s” are still waiting for me today, and with the Lord’s help and strength they will get taken care of in His timing. God’s plan is perfect and His way is always right. I know I can trust Him.

Think back to when you and your husband were first introduced and began to fall in love with one another. Do you ever remember “just happening” to be where you knew he’d show up? Did you wear an outfit you knew he liked, or a color that he liked on you? Did you share things with him that told him you thought he was the most wonderful man God had created…that he would surely fulfill all that God had given him to do? Doing these things was our choice. He was our choice.

There is one woman that is doing these things, but not for her husband…yes, you guessed it, it’s The Foolish Woman. When we find her in Proverbs 7 we see that she is doting on a man that she is not married to. She knows just when he’s going to be passing by, and she “just happens” to be there so she can meet with him. She talks smooth talk to him. She gives him her attention. These are all things that she should have been doing for her husband. What would have changed about her marriage if she would have reserved all this for the man she was married to? If she would have put this much energy into her own home, she would have had no desire to be out flirting with this foolish man. She’s made another poor choice!

What are you doing today to strengthen your relationship with your husband? Are you spending time with him? Are you planning time that you can have a date, to talk and just be his friend? Are you dressing sharp like you did when you dated? Are you talking with him in a sweet tone of voice? Do you smile and let him know that he’s the only one that makes your heart flip?

Don’t let your heart (and eyes) wander to someone else’s husband and think how easy it would be to be married to him. Pour your energy and creativity into your marriage today and watch what will happen to your home instead; it’s the right choice!

Someone told me recently that they had enjoyed reading my blog until I began this series on The Foolish Woman! They were teasing, but the implication was that it’s not always easy to read things that hit home and bring conviction. I trust you’ll read on as we continue seeing the description of the foolish woman from Proverbs 7.

Proverbs 7:6-10 reads, “For at the window of my house I looked through my casement. And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, passing through the street near her (the foolish woman’s) corner, and he went the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot and subtil of heart.”

I see here that another foolish characteristic of this woman is the choices she makes. She’s going out in the evening when it is dark outside. This is a romantic setting and she is setting herself and this foolish man up for a huge fall by being out at this time of night. She has no concern how this might look to others who might see her standing on the street alone with this man.

What a warning this must be to us. We have to let our mind run ahead to look out for situations that could put our testimony at jeopardy. Some potential danger zones would be:

1. Having a man in your home when you are there alone.
2. Listening to a man tell you about his marriage problems or you talking to him about yours.
3. Sending private emails to men (Why not send a carbon copy to his wife?).
4. Having chats with men on the Internet.
5. Riding alone in the car with a man.

Some may say, “My goodness! Are you suspicious of everyone?” No, but we need to make good wise choices before we are in a situation that destroys our testimony. What seems harmless could lead to other things. If we guard our hearts and are also thoughtful enough to protect the men around us, we will know that our choices will label us as wise instead of foolish.

(Now if I could just decide what to wear to get my picture taken today!) 🙂