I've been going over the verses in Proverbs 31 again. I'm thinking that for the time being I would like to study one verse at a time... really soaking it in and putting it to memory. Memorizing Scripture is an awesome practice to fill your mind while you are cleaning house. 
I was looking at v. 11...
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
The word 'trusts' in Hebrew means "the act of confiding; the object of confidence; the state of confidence or security."
I'm assuming that the trust spoken of here, since the remainder of the sentence has to do with 'gain' in a material sense, refers to a trust in the way she handles their household finances perhaps? I was thinking about how easy it is to break the trust of our husbands confidence if we do not keep a tight rein on the economy of our households. Not every wife is given the responsibility to handle the family's entire finances, but every wife is given some sort of responsibility in how she manages her food budget, electricity, clothes budget, gift budget,etc. Do our husband's trust us with the money they give us? Do they feel that they 'gain' because of it? Or do they constantly feel as if they have to monitor our spending as they would an irresponsible child?
I've heard the rippling echoes of many households lately who are dealing with tight budgets. Mine is no exception. I've done my share of repenting for those times of 'feasting' when it seemed our cash flow was unlimited. I'm wondering now if the lessening of funds is the Lord's hand of discipline, in a Fatherly tone, to make our household more mindful of what we are spending the Lord's money upon.
God's mercy is new every morning so, again, I look to Him for the wisdom to know how to handle our household budget to bring Him more glory. I've tightened up our food budget and have aimed at cutting it in half... some weeks I meet the goal and other weeks I fall short. I'm working on my Christmas gifts this month in order to be ahead of the game and save money in that area. I've honed in my skills in hanging out my laundry as to not have to use the dryer hardly at all except to 'fluff' our clothing. I'm even thinking about putting in some vegetables for the winter months to help with the food bill. I love home grown red onions and they will last quite a while into the summer months when stored correctly.
I was speaking to my Aunt last night and she told me that she lives on $1700.00 a month. I have another older friend who lives on $700.00 a month. Can you imagine? But, both of their lives are very simple... very plain... very 'appealing' to my senses. No computers... no fancy tv's... homes that are furnished with necessities, not luxuries. They 'work' at living on this small income but their lives are very full. The thought of living BELOW one's means is very challenging and appealing to me. Putting it into practice is another story! Dying to the flesh and it's lusts is never as easy as it sounds!
Blessings,
Georgene | 
