Proverbs 31:19
[19] She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
Prayer
"A distaff is a tool used in spinning. It is designed to hold the unspun fibers, keeping them untangled and thus easing the spinning process." (source)
I love the visual that this definition gives of using the distaff to keep fibers from untangling. The virtuous woman knows that it is her duty to keep her home orderly. She is the one who is untangling the "fibers" or ways of her home instead of being the one to tangle them up. I believe this first begins with an orderly spirit that is fixed on the promises of God and walking in righteousness. Elisabeth Elliot once said, "A disordered life speaks loudly of disorder in the soul".
Today, pray that the Lord would create order and peace first in your heart and then in your home. Ask the Spirit to search your heart to find any grievous way in you and lead you in righteousness. Confess any grumbling thought, bitter attitude, covetousness, or acting out in spite. Be the one to go first in this, don't expect everyone else to clean up their heart if you aren't willing to do the work yourself.
Application
Be attentive to the way you respond today. How are you responding to your fussy child? Do you huff and puff about being late again and rushing out the door? Do you respond with love when your husband asks what's for dinner or do you give him a sharp reply? Take note of these things and be quick to come to repentance if necessary. The point of this is not to wallow at the end of the day because you really stink and you're a bad mom, daughter or friend. It is an opportunity to evaluate the state of your heart and see where you need to ask the Holy Spirit for help. He does the work in you. An orderly home begins with an orderly heart!