Go About Your Work

Sometimes, when I get bad news, I just want to sit down and cry. I shared that Saturday I wanted to go back to bed after my relapse. I didn’t.

Every time I felt overwhelmed and teared up, I just did the next thing. Meals need cooking and laundry needs washed. Had I given in to my tears I would have been literally buried in laundry.

Friday, I poured water around the edge of my washer to clean it. The “lid lock sensor” got wet and the washer wouldn’t turn on. I called the repairman and he told me it may dry out on its own. I was grateful it started working again on Saturday. I did laundry all day.

After yesterday’s news, I hoped for an encouraging word in today’s chapters. Instead, I saw a command – twice!

Ezekiel 24:16, 17, “…But, please, no tears…. (17) Get dressed as usual and go about your work. …” The Message

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Ezekiel 24:23, “You’ll get dressed as usual and go about your work. No tears…” The Message

I was already dressed and this blog is my work. I continued my devotions. In studying Proverbs 14:1, I read of the wise and foolish woman.

Proverbs 14:1, “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” New International Version

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“She [the wise woman] is a source of strength and an example of diligence for her family (see Proverbs 31:10-31).” New International Version Study Bible Notes on Proverbs 14:1.

One of the cross-reference verses was Proverbs 1:7.

” ‘Fools’ are those who ‘hate knowledge’ (Proverbs 1:22) and correction of any kind (Proverbs 12:1), who are ‘quick to quarrel’ (Proverbs 20:3) and ‘give full vent’ to their anger (Proverbs 29:11), who are complacent (Proverbs 1:32) and who trust in themselves (Proverbs 28:26) rather than in God (Psalms 14:1).” New International Study Bible Notes on Proverbs 1:7

I have a choice: diligent (wise) or complacent (foolish). Even when wounded, crushed, or broken, God is still planting good things.

“The best things in life are the result of being wounded. Wheat must be crushed before becoming bread, and incense must be burned by fire before its fragrance is set free. The earth must be broken with a sharp plow before being ready to receive the seed. And it is a broken heart that pleases God.” “Streams in the Desert,” August 15

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