Wise-hearted Women

Following the examples of my good sister-in-law Judy and sister Patty, I working on reading the entire Old Testament this year. It's been fun to read all the more obscure parts--not just the familiar Bible stories.

Yesterday I was near the end of Exodus: "And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands" (Exodus 35:25). Now in this chapter there are also wise-hearted men, and all these wise-hearted folk are working to prepare the ark of the covenant, as a dwelling place for God. From the context, "wise-hearted" seems to mean proficient in craft--but it must also mean something more, don't you think?

I think wise-hearted must mean something like knowing how to do things and why to do them too. Being both capable and understanding. Being aware of the greater purpose for which we work.

I have also been reading a lovely book called Keeping House, by Margaret Kim Peterson. It is a series of Christian reflections on how homemaking is an act of service, a kind of litany of prayer that blesses those we love. I like the way she uses litany: in many Christian faiths one act of worship is to repeat prayers. The repetition is part of the worship. She says the very repetitive nature of housework is a form of blessing. The author is obviously a very good person.

And probably "wise-hearted"--both capable and understanding of a greater purpose.

I want to be also "wise-hearted: to recognize, like those Hebrew women of Exodus, that I am not just spinning, but building the dwelling of God.

Well--it's early in the morning and I am waxing uncharacteristically philosophical. Forgive me.