“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

God really does surprise us sometimes, doesn’t He? We have our plans for the future all set, and then He throws a boulder in the middle of our path, directing us in an entirely different direction. As much as I’ve dreamed over the years, I would never have imagined myself in this exact place. I never imagined myself being married to a military man. I didn’t think that I’d be making new friends and adjusting to a new climate every couple of years.

But I love this life just the same. I love all the twists and turns and unexpected surprises God is placing in my life.

The military life can be tough sometimes, but it can also be filled with so much joy. My husband and I love exploring this new place where we live. We looked forward to finding new trails to hike, new museums to visit, and new types of food to try. We love this life of adventure.

At the same time, we get lonely for family living far across the country. We miss old familiar faces, and a church at which we truly felt at home. We struggle making new friends and adjusting to new places.

But I think these struggles are good. God seems to use each new experience to draw us even closer to you. It’s as if He’s saying, “Yes, I’m directing your feet in a new direction but no, I’m not going to leave you there to fend for yourself. I’m here, reading and waiting to be your strong tower, your strength when you are weak. Depend on me.”

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10 NIV)

With the holidays over, my husband and I have returned to our house that hasn’t been dusted for several weeks. At this moment in time there is a big pile of laundry sorted throughout the kitchen. All of the stocking stuffers from Christmas are now in various piles around the house, waiting to find a home; where, I don’t know, because our little place is already close to bursting at the seams. There are dirty dishes in the sink, and don’t even ask me about that half-finished sewing projects spread throughout the family room floor.

With tasks like cleaning, laundry, and organizing staring me in the face, my first inclination is to turn the other way and ignore it all. To be honest, that’s exactly what I’ve done the last few days. I would much rather be reading a book, watching a movie, or playing on the internet, then taking care of the house.

I know that I have chosen to be a homemaker. It’s part of what I signed up for when I married my military husband. Just the same, sometimes it’s hard to see the mundane everyday tasks as important. Then I remembered the Proverbs 31 woman. Here’s a woman to admire. She is someone who doesn’t sit around playing solitaire all day, but instead: “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness” (vs.27 NIV).  This woman saw what needed to be done and did it. She serves as an excellent example of what God wants each of us to be as a wife. Smart, independent, efficient—the Proverbs 31 woman works hard, but more than anything she fears God: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (vs.30).

The Proverbs 31 woman was admired for the everyday tasks she performed. She was someone to be praised. If only I could have so much one day. Until then, I guess I’ll just have to take the chores one at a time, and try to be the best homemaker I can be.

What about you? How do you feel about mundane, everyday tasks? After reading Probers 31, does anything about this woman stick out to you?

Lord, please help me to live each day to the fullest, even in the midst of the seemingly mundane.