The Fruit of Your Hands

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands."  Proverbs 31:10,13

 
A good friend of mine recently gifted me a beautiful, hand-made knitted black and white scarf that I already treasure.  As I studied the fine work, I realized what a gift it is to be able to make something with your very own hands (as opposed to buying it already made).   As I tried to think of what I could say to her to thank her, I remembered the Proverbs 31 Woman, also known as the virtuous woman. She too was known for making beautiful things with her hands.  As a matter of fact, there are 12 references made about her hands in Proverbs 31 alone, such as the fact that she works willingly with her hands, feeds her family, feeds the poor, makes clothing, weaves, plants a garden/vineyard, and so on.  The end of the Proverbs 31 says, "Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates" (verse 31).   This means that everything she does with her hands produces fruit, or character in her life. I don't know about you, but I want God to build character in me. 

 My encouragement to you today is to get out there and use your God-given hands to make your own life beautiful and to make the lives of others beautiful. For some, that might mean hugging your loved ones a little more today or putting your hand on someone's shoulder, on the shoulder of one that needs a little more encouragement.  For others, it might mean starting to write that book you've been dreaming about or cooking a feast and inviting a needy family over to enjoy it. It might mean that you write a card of encouragement to someone or send an email to someone who is facing hard times. I've heard of women who visit hospitals simply to hold babies that are in the trauma unit due to abuse.  To that baby, your simple touch can mean the world.  Maybe you'll work in your garden today and invite someone over for an afternoon tea in your garden as your share the Love of Christ with them.  You might knit a beautiful scarf for a friend just because and it might mean the world to her (Thank you M.C).  Lastly, the most important thing you can do with your hands is praise your Creator above.  No matter what you might be doing, there are always a couple of seconds or minutes to lift up your hands and praise your maker for who He is. Praise is the best producer of Godly character and the fruit of your hands.  There you have it, there is power in your hands so get out there and bless others.  God bless.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."  Proverbs 31:10-31