She considereth a field, and buyeth it

Pro 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it
Recently I was talking to my DH about why we as women love to shop and create. We both feel that it is a primal thing, within the way we were created. Men were created to hunt, protect and provide. Women to Gather, nurture and beautify. Although these rolls have become blury in recent times, the "stuff we are made of" stays the same, and we continue to Hunt and Gather just in Modern ways. Women of centuries past have made clothing, blankets, baskets, rugs and numerous other things for the home, and made them beautiful at the same time. They could have made the baskets and rugs all the same color, the function would have been the same, but they made them with patterns, and went to the trouble to make dye's for color. All in the name of beauty and craft. We Junkers and Crafters do the same today, but so many of us feel guilty or as if we are endulging pleasure instead of fulfilling our function in the home. Yes cooking and cleaning are important, but the things we do for our surroundings and our inner soul are just as important to our home and family.

I love Proverb 31. For those who don't know it is about what a Virtuous Woman is. Many of us read this and do not understand how it can apply to the Modern Woman. Well it does, and it is so fun to figure out how. The verse above for example. Ladies--that is shopping!!!! Now don't laugh, or think I've fallen off my rocker. I'm not talking about frivelous shopping, I'm talking about careful, budget conscience, frugal shopping for home and family. It is up to us to beautify the world we and our family live in. When we can do this frugally we are being a virtuous woman. When you hunt for those bargains, clip those coupons, shop those sales. You are being a virtuous woman, A Wife worthy of praise whose "price is far above rubies", or her "value" is far above rubies.
So don't feel guilty ladies, when you are out doing your salvage finds, quilting crafts, Scrap-booking, and bargain hunting. You are fulfilling your roll in the home AND having fun doing it. It's how you are made--now enjoy it.

I encourage you to read Proverbs 31:10-31 and you will see yourselves there. This woman is a craftsperson, she is making and selling and it's a good thing. Read it and find yourself there.