Inspired by Proverbs 31

A wife of noble character who can find? Proverbs 31:10

Illustration created for Lamp&Spindle social media to introduce the inspiration for our brand.

In the fall of 2023, we moved from California to Tennessee—original, I know. The move brought on an array of feelings that I hadn't planned for. I knew we were ready for change. I knew leaving family and lifelong friendships would prove difficult. What I didn't expect was God using our starting over to start me over.

My phone background, feel free to use it!

For years, I had been longing for more in my relationship with Christ, but I didn't know how or what I needed to do to get there. I longed to be the wife and mother that God had designed me to be—one that was full of grace, not anxiety.

After our move, I felt a prompting to pray for refinement and to accept my redemption in Christ, so I did. I prayed for it regularly. I changed the background on my phone to remind me of this prayer that was placed on my heart.

I started to listen to country Gospel albums on repeat. I started filtering who I followed on social media. We found a church. I joined a women's bible study.

I hadn't opened myself up to God for fine-tuning before, and now He had my full surrender. He was working on me, and I felt it. It was painful, it was joyful, it was hard, it was necessary, and most importantly—it is continual.

Proverbs 31:17 with photography from a wedding I had the honor of second shooting.

In the fall of 2024, I felt prompted to read through Proverbs 31. I engaged my creative side and merged each passage with my photography each day as I went through it.

Then I read through it again. And again. Soon it became written on my heart. It was clear that this is the woman whom God had designed me to be. This is how I want to be remembered. I want to spend the rest of my days being refined into this woman of God.

I felt inspired to find a fruitful way to share my passions for faith, creativity, and homeschooling. I spent the following months carefully crafting Lamp & Spindle.

Our brand name is inspired by Proverbs 31:18-19, which depicts the woman using her skills to work from home at night to contribute to her household financially— that's what I was setting out to do!

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,

    and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff

    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

Little by little, the vision became clearer. I used what I had learned about homeschooling and began creating digital resources on faith, education, and holidays. Some of the resources we now offer are based on resources we already used, some are new, and we are using them all right alongside you!

ABC Matching Memory Cards for early literacy letter recognition.

I have had plans since the beginning to start a blog to share a glimpse into our homeschool journey to share what we have learned—and are learning—along the way. In fact, it was the first thing I wanted to start, and the first thing to fall to the wayside. I am so happy to finally have the opportunity to build Lamp & Spindle and bring this blog to life.

Todays Bible verse:

^10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find?

    She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her

    and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,

    all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax

    and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,

    bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;

    she provides food for her family

    and portions for her female servants.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;

    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;

    her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,

    and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff

    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor

    and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;

    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,

    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,

    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;

    she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,

    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household

    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ “Many women do noble things,

    but you surpass them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Go ahead and read that again. And again.