These were truly lovely memories for my sister and I. Little did we know that my grandparents were one of the poorest farmers in the town. They never had spare change to spend on luxuries never mind all the variety of vegetables, fruit and meat! Their secret, they simply lived off the fruit of their hands.
I used to love going into the fields with my grandpa, fully equiped with long jeans, thick woolen socks and my very own pair of gumboots. My grandpa always carried a long stick in his hand to fight off the snakes, naturally, I used to copy him. It was a great event for my sister and I to find the best stick, one which I would use for the whole holiday. We would wake early in the morning to join grandpa as he would do the rounds on the farm. He checked the water tank, cattle, sheep and the crops. We would then visit the chickens to find eggs and then we would join my granny in the vegetable garden. Now this vegetable garden was something to note.
This was the place where most of the delicious fruit and vegtables came from. My sister and I would make a run for the berry patch, we used to love picking the berries and eating them straight away. This vegetable garden has been etched into my mind!
When we used to live in Riebeekstad, Welcom, my dad sectioned off a huge chunk of the garden and made a massive green house. My mother would grow various vegetables and I remember spending many hours there, picking and planting with her. My dad also planted a number of fruit trees in the garden and my sister and I always waited in anticipation for the blossoms to start budding.
So to follow on in family tradition, I have a very small area in the garden which call the vegetable patch. I am by no means an expert at keeping the garden going, I often want to give up on it! But when I take a walk to the patch with my basket in hand and see beautiful rows of different shades of green and red lettuce leaves, I have to smile and thank the Lord for causing the little seeds to become such delicious veg. As I am gathering together what I need, I am motivated to plant some more as I consider how much money I am saving!!!
Now with this in mind. Let us consider the verse for our study:
"She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard." Proverbs 31:16
She CONSIDERS a Field
Phase 1 - Considering and Planning
A "Proverbs 31 woman" Is wise. She has learnt to not be easily swayed by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life(1 John 2:15). Therefore she carefully considers all her options before she makes a purchase. (Just a reminder that we are stewards with the money entrusted to us and supplied by God, for His glory. It is a wise woman who does not waste money but uses it wisely.)
This verse says what it means, the lady does literally purchase land, more than once! The verse says that she "considers a field". She spends time inspecting the land and planning how she would utilise the land. Then according to all her research and knowledge, she makes her decision. (after consulting her husband!)
So how can we apply this today in our lives?
In the days that this proverb was written. The people would buy a small portion of land (up to a few meters squared) outside of town. This is not common practice today. So we have to see how we can adapt it to todays living. This will vary from person to person according to preference of the method of planting and to living conditions. You could be living in an apartment, flat, town house, free standing house, plot or farm. You could be renting or you could of bought the place. These conditions may determine how you are able to plant your "veggie patch".
Different methods could include, planting in pots or containers, a small vegetable patch hidden somewhere in the garden or a huge vegetable garden. Some people include the vegetables and fruit plants or trees in the design of the garden and are therefore found all over the garden! The main point is what ever your situations, you are able to grow at least something!
You are also not restricted to using your living area. In most cases, our gardens are small. Another option is to find a friend who owns a large piece of land, come to some sort of arrangement where you both can contribute to buying plants and looking after them so that you will both reap the rewards. For example, I know someone who helps run a large under developed conference center.I am considering buying a few nut trees to plant on the land, not much work needs to go into growing the trees. Once the trees start to produce nuts, they can be gathered. We can then sell them or use them ourselves. We all know how expensive nuts are, and there are so many recipes that can be enhanced by using nuts, and it can be used for a simple healthy snack!!!! Use your initiative and get thinking of ways in which you can "buy a field"!
As a summary of the first part of the verse. Consider and plan carefully. Decide where you are going to plant and how you are going to plant your choice of fruit or vegetables. Once you have come up with a plan and a budget, go ahead and prepare your soil!
She PLANTS a vineyard
Phase 2 - Acquire and Plant
Now for the hard part! Reaping the rewards of harvesting comes from getting your hands dirty (sometimes more than just your hands!).
As you have already made a choice of what you want to plant in your considering and planning phase, its time to acquire and plant!
What do I mean by "acquire"? There is more than one way to acquire plants. Either you buy seedlings, buy and plant seeds or take cuttings from already established plants and strike (cause them to root) them yourself. The latter is the cheapest route to go but also requires a little gardening knowledge! I personally use all three methods in my gardening.
Once you have "acquired" what you are planting, plant them in your prepared soil. Water regularly and watch the fruit and vegetables grow right before your eyes.
Phase 3 - Provision and Thanksgiving
If you are diligent in caring after your plants and patient in watching and waiting for them to grow. You will reap a delicious abundant harvest! Your family can enjoy fresh and healthy food. If you plant herbs, you can treat your family to flavorsome food. You can also teach your children about God's creation and provision. From this flows thanksgiving to our God the creator of the earth.
Growing your own food is certainly a God centered practice. It is a wise woman who carefully plans, plants and reaps her own food!
Written by: Natalie Rogers
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