Some of you may not know, but I am part of a woman's bible study here in White Mountain and we come together every Tuesday for fellowship, snacks, and the most important thing: to talk about God and what is in our hearts. Last week our discussion was lead towards becoming a virtuous and Godly woman.
The first time I read Proverbs 31 I was totally discouraged. I mean, I just read about the ideal, beautiful, perfect...Superwoman. A woman who gets up before her household to make breakfast. A woman who makes the clothing her children wear, a woman who goes to the fields and gathers food. A woman who sells merchandise at the market. She has all the qualities and characteristics of a virtuous wife/mother/woman.. She is a Godly woman.
I admit. I have been a victim of the media and how they portray women on how we should look, act, and what we should buy. I have fallen to the idea and belief that a woman is virtuous by her looks and appearance. This is not true. The pure beauty of a woman is what is inside of her heart and soul. A Godly woman is by, definition to be "God-like". As women, we need to strive to possess God-like characteristics. For ourselves. For our husbands, For our children. For God! A women who has a beautiful soul is beautiful.
The is my challenge to myself and to others who want to join me: I want to become the woman that God has asked us to strive for. A woman that, of course by
no means has all of these characteristics, but a woman who wakes up
every day and attempts to be a more virtuous woman that day. Just today.
Wanna Join?!
Wanna Join?!
Proverbs 31
10 Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Powerful stuff huh? I have read it probably over a dozen times and it never seizes to amaze me at how virtuous this woman is. She has it all together. What a powerful message to give us "other" women huh? hehe.
Here are the questions I have made for my challenge everyday. Please feel free to use them, or make up your own, or do both!
I'm not going to answer the questions on the blog because this is a personal journey. A journey between me and God. I will be keeping my answers in a journal. However, I will be posting the question to remind you of what to write about or think about.
I hope this is a self-discovering journey for all of us and I pray that it will deepen our understanding of the woman God wants us to be.
Day 1: What have been your thoughts and feelings when reading Proverbs 31?
Day 2: Is there a woman you know who has set an example to you of being a godly woman?
Day 3: What does beauty mean to you?
Day 4: Jaded Beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 5:What makes you, uniquely you?
Day 3: What does beauty mean to you?
Day 4: Jaded Beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 5:What makes you, uniquely you?
Day 6: What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 7: What kind of woman would you like to be five years from now?
Day 8: Write a letter to yourself on one thing that you can do today to accomplish the woman you want to be in five years.
Day 9: Dependable. Steadfast. Trustworthy. Wise. Are these words that describe yourself?
Day 10:Are you truly available for your husband and his needs, or are your responsibilities thinning you and your patience out? What are some things that you can say "no" to, to make yourself more available to your husband?
Day 11: Write a letter to your husband to encourage and praise him. If you are not married, then write a letter to your future husband.
Day 12: What kind of impression are you giving of your husband?
Day 13: What kind of reputation are you giving to the Lord?
Day 14: Describe a recent day when you were "fed" up with others. What led you to that point?
Day 15: What is something good you have done in the past?
Day 16:What is something good that you one day dream of doing?
Day 17: What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Write about how you can extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 18: Write about your job. What do you like about it? What do you dislike about it?
Day 19: What would your job be if you could have any job in the world?
Day 20: Are there things that can help you achieve your dream job? What are things that can make your current job easier?
Day 21: Write down a time each month, week, or even day that you will allow time for yourself. This is an action day too. Please don't just write it down in a journal and forget about it. This is important. Really set aside that time for yourself.
Day 22: What do you have the most trouble being generous with?
Day 23: Write down at least three things that you could do to be more generous. Whether it's giving money, time, pocessions, etc. Make a plan to take action to be more generous for others.
Day 24: Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what characteristics & qualities you hope she has one day. Think of the Proverbs 31 woman and her characteristics, qualities, and virtues.
Day 25: Describe a time when you did not want to give because of fear that you would not be able to replenish what you are giving away.
Day 26: What is your greatest fear? What could you fill your mind with to combat that fear?
Day 27: Describe a woman you know personally who is savvy in some way.
Day 28: Describe a time that someone's words had a significant (either positive or negative) impact upon your life. Now describe a time when your words had affected someone's life (either positive or negative)
Day 29: What do you think that "fear of the Lord" means?
Day 30: Is there an area in your life that has not yet been strongly affected by the fear of the Lord?
Day 31: This is the last day of Project 31. Please write down how you have changed yourself to be more of a Godly, Proverbs 31 woman.
Congratulations. We did it. We just finished our journey towards become a more virtuous woman!
Day 7: What kind of woman would you like to be five years from now?
Day 8: Write a letter to yourself on one thing that you can do today to accomplish the woman you want to be in five years.
Day 9: Dependable. Steadfast. Trustworthy. Wise. Are these words that describe yourself?
Day 10:Are you truly available for your husband and his needs, or are your responsibilities thinning you and your patience out? What are some things that you can say "no" to, to make yourself more available to your husband?
Day 11: Write a letter to your husband to encourage and praise him. If you are not married, then write a letter to your future husband.
Day 12: What kind of impression are you giving of your husband?
Day 13: What kind of reputation are you giving to the Lord?
Day 14: Describe a recent day when you were "fed" up with others. What led you to that point?
Day 15: What is something good you have done in the past?
Day 16:What is something good that you one day dream of doing?
Day 17: What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Write about how you can extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 18: Write about your job. What do you like about it? What do you dislike about it?
Day 19: What would your job be if you could have any job in the world?
Day 20: Are there things that can help you achieve your dream job? What are things that can make your current job easier?
Day 21: Write down a time each month, week, or even day that you will allow time for yourself. This is an action day too. Please don't just write it down in a journal and forget about it. This is important. Really set aside that time for yourself.
Day 22: What do you have the most trouble being generous with?
Day 23: Write down at least three things that you could do to be more generous. Whether it's giving money, time, pocessions, etc. Make a plan to take action to be more generous for others.
Day 24: Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what characteristics & qualities you hope she has one day. Think of the Proverbs 31 woman and her characteristics, qualities, and virtues.
Day 25: Describe a time when you did not want to give because of fear that you would not be able to replenish what you are giving away.
Day 26: What is your greatest fear? What could you fill your mind with to combat that fear?
Day 27: Describe a woman you know personally who is savvy in some way.
Day 28: Describe a time that someone's words had a significant (either positive or negative) impact upon your life. Now describe a time when your words had affected someone's life (either positive or negative)
Day 29: What do you think that "fear of the Lord" means?
Day 30: Is there an area in your life that has not yet been strongly affected by the fear of the Lord?
Day 31: This is the last day of Project 31. Please write down how you have changed yourself to be more of a Godly, Proverbs 31 woman.
Congratulations. We did it. We just finished our journey towards become a more virtuous woman!
