Idleness Bread

As I've told you, I've been studying Proverbs 31- and for all of you theologians, I've chosen this time around to not look at it allegorically.  That does not mean that I don't believe it CAN be read allegorically, mind you.  Blogs are not places for refuting theology.  Not mine, anyway.  I'm not smart or articulate enough to do it adequately.  That, and I don't really think it makes a difference.  Both reads hold meaning.  But it's hard to ascertain meaning out of anything this morning. Did you know that it's 66 degrees here? And that, by my definition, is the perfect weather for hot, black coffee, bacon and eggs, open windows, excessive rejoicing and partaking in a little idleness bread.

Proverbs 31 was written way before Rosie the Riveter.  Before Betty Crocker.  Before the term, "Suzie Homemaker" insinuated that being a "housewife" simply meant that you didn't want a real job.  That would be news to the Proverbs woman, that's for sure.  Seems like all she does is work- because she WANTS to, no less.  This is what I read as I was sipping on my second cup, still in my pajamas, staring at the pile of dirty laundry that I managed to bring downstairs but never made it into the washing machine.

"She seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands..."

"She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household...."

"She considers a field and buys it..."

"With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard..."

"She perceives that her merchandise is profitable..."

"Her lamp does not go out at night..."

"She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness"

Yikes.  She's missing out.  Idleness bread tastes good sometimes.  Like, freshly baked, warm out of the oven good.  But I get the point, and appreciate it.  Women work hard.  Like, really hard.  Even if you don't leave the house to work like some do, your work is still never done.  Ever try to save money by clipping coupons? Takes all Saturday.  If that's not work, I don't know what is.   I love that the Proverbs woman isn't hindered by stereotypes that somehow followed after in generations of women. She got her hands dirty.  She was business savvy.  She didn't wait for things to happen to her, she went out and found opportunities.  She never rested- always working on a project, feeding her family, managing her household.  I admire her gumption and grit.  Which, I suppose is easy to say when I'm on my second piece of idleness bread.  With butter.  Wonder what she would say about that?