That's Who I Want to Be!

I saw this quote the other day. If you know who said it, please tell me so I can post that too. I thought I would share it, because that is the kind of woman I strive to be!

"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the Devil says, "Aww crap, she's up!"

Being a Woman of Virtue... Doing!

I hold a few things in my life top priority. God is NUMBER 1. Most definitely. My husband, is also deservingly, number 2. Then of course my beautiful and energetic boys. And the rest of my family and my close church friends are next.

As I look to what God wants me to be, and what he requires of me. I am EVERY TIME taken back to Proverbs 31, to the Virtuous Woman. And each time, I am reminded of how important it is to hold the things that our grandmothers did, close to our hearts. I am constantly challenged by this. Things like making more food from scratch. Yeah, we have busy days, but even in those days, if I make sure I have a meal planned ahead of time, I can still make something fairly easy from scratch (or close to it). This isn't just a luxury anymore, this is almost a necessity if you want to eat healthy. Also things like learning to sew, even just simple sewing. I know MANY people who do not own a sewing machine. They just don't know how to sew. And that is probably most of you also. But I think sewing is a skill that we should have even if it is very basic! I bought my machine for $79 at Wal-Mart about 6 or 7 years ago, and I have used it in a small business and for simple things around my own house. I learned to sew in home ec. class in Middle school. Let me tell you, it was very basic! I NEVER again used that skill until I got my own machine ! So with about 15 years in between, I had to learn most things over. And I was able to do it, and sew curtains for my house! I didn't even have a pattern. I have slowly improved my "skills" to even make robes for the boys and other kids in our family this last Christmas. Saved a lot of money, and ended up being a lot nicer than what I would have been able to buy on our "budget". What about gardening? Or caring for animals, like chickens, who could produce a product your family could use? Are these skills going to be lost on our grandparents generation?

I want to encourage you, as I have before, to learn SOMETHING new. And keep doing it, even if you don't succeed the first time (or the second!). If your grandmothers are still alive, even better, learn something from THEM! My grandmother was able to teach me to crochet before she past away 2 years ago, and whenever I sit, relax and use that skill, I think of her.

Being a woman of Virtue includes DOING... She works with her HANDS... Be challenged by this today. Not only will you be able to pick up a valuable skill that you could someday pass on to your daughters, but you are carrying on a legacy. And SOMEDAY, you will be glad you learned your new skill!

I have been wanting to learn to Knit for the longest time. And I have a sweet neighbor woman who is willing to teach me! I am excited!

What new skill would you LOVE to learn?

Her Character

Today, I am going to start a study based on Elizabeth George's book, "Beautiful in God's Eyes".

The first chapter is on the Character of a Virtuous Woman.

"Who can find a virtuous woman?" Proverbs 31:10

In Mrs. George's Book, she goes into a little background on the writing of this chapter. In Proverbs 31:1, it says "The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him." In verses 1-9, she is teaching him about leadership. But when it comes to verse 10, she wants to get across to him the importance of finding a good, wife. One that would be a great treasure to him. In the Hebrew writings, these qualities are written according to their alphabet. EG (Elizabeth George) surmises, it is because the boy is young, and it would be easier for her some to remember these qualities if she put them to their alphabet.

These words (verse's 10-31) aren't the words of a man, they are written by King Lemuel, but they are the words given to him by his mother. So, it is encouraging to know that these aren't some unattainable standard set by a man. They are attainable!!!

The virtuous woman seems an impossible ideal. But she isn't impossible... God shows us in the Bible some other places where there are virtuous women. One being in Ruth 3:11 " And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do to you all that you ask. For all the city of my people knows that you are a woman of virtue. "

The next time, we will explore what virtuous means! I want to keep these studies short so we all have time for it!!! Thanks for joining me!

Proverbs 31 Study

I hold the Proverbs 31 Woman, as a woman who's standard's, we, as women, need to follow. Or STRIVE to follow.

She has many qualities, that are very desirable to us, but more desirable to the Lord.

I encourage you to read Proverbs 31.

You will find that this woman has many traits. Elizabeth George wrote "Beautiful in God's Eyes". In her book, she outlines the different characteristics that each of us should strive for. They are as follows:

• Her Character
• Her Value
• Her Loyalty
• Her Contribution
• Her Mission
• Her Heart
• Her Provision
• Her Discipline
• Her Vision
• Her Work
• Her Confidence
• Her diligence
• Her Mercy
• Her Preparation
• Her Handiwork
• Her Husband
• Her Industry
• Her Clothing
• Her Words
• Her Management
• Her Family
• Her Praise
• Her Faith
• Her Reward

Wow. So many qualities.... Are we good in each of these??? Would each of these areas in our lives be pleasing to God??? Ouch. I can personally say, I have a long way to go. A LONG way.

Starting today, I want to cover each of these qualities, as outlined in Elizabeth's George's Book. If you have this book, get it out, and follow along! If you don't, I encourage you to get it. You can go to her site HERE and check it out. She has some very decent prices.

So, my first question for you is, which qualities of the Proverbs 31 woman, do you want to improve on? Which verse convicts you the most?

I hope you join me everyday, as we review these qualities, and strive for God's understanding in who HE wants us to be.

Our Dress

1Timothy 2:9-10 I want women to show their beauty by dressing in appropriate clothes that are modest and respectable. Their beauty will be shown by what they do, not by their hair styles or the gold jewelry, pearls, or expensive clothes they wear. This is what is proper for women who claim to have reverence for God.

I found this and it went along with one entry from last week. The "dress code" is not only important for us as believers but also for us to impress on the heart of young women we may know.

Our Adornment

My husband thinks I am "goofy" when he asks me to run somewhere quickly for him (store, pick-up something, etc. ) and I tell him I need to take a shower first. I mean I have 4 boys, I can get ready in 30 minutes flat. That is showering, shaving my legs, washing my face, doing make-up, getting dressed, even hair dried! But he still thinks I am funny for having to do that before I can go anywhere! I just don't like to be seen with bed-hair. And a little make-up has never hurt this face! In fact, I am pretty sure it is a necessity!

While I don't think I have made "getting presentable" a priority in my life, I still wonder if I am too worried about it. Especially when I read things like this:

1Pe 3:1-6 In the same way you wives must submit yourselves to your husbands, so that if any of them do not believe God's word, your conduct will win them over to believe. It will not be necessary for you to say a word, because they will see how pure and reverent your conduct is. You should not use outward aids to make yourselves beautiful, such as the way you fix your hair, or the jewelry you put on, or the dresses you wear. Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the greatest value in God's sight. For the devout women of the past who placed their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful by submitting themselves to their husbands. Sarah was like that; she obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are now her daughters if you do good and are not afraid of anything.

I mean I have seen women that can definitely pull off the no make-up thing. Pull your hair back and look radiant. Throw on a pair of sweats and tee shirt and make other women jealous. But me- not so much. I need a little work. So what is this saying then? I have looked at other versions of this also (just to make sure, you know?) And there are some that say, "do not let your adornment be merely outward". I like the word merely. It says to me, you can work a little at looking good on the outside, but your real work should be on the inside!

I believe also (but couldn't find the verses before blogging this), that we need to be in a state of not being a distraction from the words that we bring. In other words, if I am wearing something like heavy eyeliner with electric blue eyeshadow, and I come in preaching the word of God, Yes, people will stop and look. But they would probably only be looking because of my poor choices in how I have adorned my body. Likewise, I think if I came in just as I have rolled out of bed, and started sharing the Word, I think I may still be a distraction from those words! I don't think we necessarily WANT to "fit in", but I think we need to look nice. Not "hot", not "ugly", nothing of distraction.

*We should be clean. Yeah! I love being clean. (I know, Am I the only one?) Shower, use soap, wash that hair, shave those legs.... We need to also NOT FEEL like a distraction. If we aren't confident because of how we look, are we being a benefit to the kingdom?

*Wearing nice clothing. Not necessarily TRENDY. We don't want to dress just for OUR comfort, but for the comfort of others. We want to not cause others to sin, by looking at us! Nothing revealing, nothing crazy! I have definitely struggled with dressing appropriately in the past. I struggled with trends as opposed to what is appropriate! Now, thanks to my "mother" body, I couldn't even FIT into something inappropriate if I wanted to! But, I also know I DO NOT want to be a distraction from His message. Let "strength and dignity" be your clothing (Prov. 31:25).

*Don't be heavy on the jewelry! There can be nothing more distracting on some women than their 20 rings, their huge necklaces, 8 piercings on each ear, 3 broaches... you get the picture and I KNOW you know what I'm talkin' about! Modesty. Let your adornment be the Word of the Lord.

*Makeup- also as above, use discretion! Look natural, don't try too hard. When you try too hard, others may think that YOU think you are better than them. Also a distraction.

So definitely dressing our OUTSIDES can be important, but should NEVER come first. Our strength and honor, our words and actions should be our adornment.

God- PLEASE, help me not to be too consumed with my looks. Help me to reflect those qualities ONLY desirable to You. Thank you for everything you've blessed us with, including Your Word. In Your Name-- AMEN.