She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
As I've been contemplating my new blog today, God has brought this part of the Scripture specifically to my mind. Inside these words, I see one theme in particular: BEAUTY
There I was...sitting at the table with my husband. He's ready for work, and I'm all decked out in my PJ's. Oh, they were interesting PJ's alright: An old, stained, long-sleeved t-shirt from Old Navy and my warm (but awesome) Tinkerbell fleece PJ pants. My black fury slippers were on my feet. Shower? Nah. Wild and crazy was the 'do of the morning. I was as comfortable as could be. And why not? Where have I to go? My plans involved doing housework, writing, and hanging out with two young boys all day long. I was ready for that, certainly.
I got around to taking a shower when the boys went down for their nap. It sure did feel good to scrub away the grime of the day (and night). When I got into my bedroom to dress, I looked for something warm to put on and found a pretty gray sweater. I had been looking for an excuse to wear my red scarf again before the warm weather REALLY sets in. So I pulled out those two items. I put on my most awesome pair of jeans (awesome because they look good and because they are really comfy). Then I looked in the mirror. And God started talking to me.
What would my husband like to see when he gets home? A woman who threw together her outfit because she had so much work to do that there wasn't time to make myself look nice for him? Or...would he rather be greeted by someone who (kind of) resembled the woman he fell in love with five years ago? Well, that was easy.
I wondered just how long it would take to make my face up for the day. Would it really put that much of a dent in the amount of time I had left until the boys woke up from their nap? Hmmm...probably not. So, I started working on my face. It probably took me about ten minutes to do my makeup. And when I looked in the mirror, I was impressed. I smiled. Wow...what a transformation! It crossed my mind that my husband might also like to see the earrings that he got me a few years ago for Christmas. I had misplaced them quite some time ago (along with another favorite pair) and he surprised me by presenting them to me in the kitchen one night. He was so happy to have found them for me.
My beauty on the inside comes from God. It comes from the work that He has done in my life. It comes from the changes that He has made to my personality. I know that I am a beautiful person on the inside. My beauty on the outside comes from God. And He has given me some tools to enhance it. Tools to hide those weird red marks on my cheeks and the pimple that's forming on my nose. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I thought about my husband's reaction when he comes home tonight. What is he going to say? More than likely, he'll smile at me and tell me that I look nice today. He'll take me in his arms and be a little bit impressed at the time I took to look good for him. And it didn't even really take much time at all.
We're not supposed to be vain. That's not what this post is about. But it is about caring for our husbands. Like it or not, ladies, men are visual creatures. Your physical beauty is most likely what they first noticed about you. It's the way they are made. It's the way God made them. When you first started dating your husband, you spent HOURS getting presentable for him, most likely. You changed your outfit twenty times, you did and re-did your make up for him. You went to great lengths to make your hair look just right. How, then, can we be okay with just hanging around all day in our PJ's, now that we're married? What does that say to our husbands? I was incredibly convicted today by these thoughts. Don't get me wrong, I don't always hang out in my PJ's all day. Most of the time, I get up before the kids do, shower and get myself ready for the day. But I never wear make up. I never do much of anything with my hair, other than brush it and hope that it won't be too tangled by the time the day is over. How much more time would it take me to do just a little bit more? And how much more loved would my husband feel if he knew that HE was the reason that I wanted to look nice?
It's amazing how doing my hair and my make up has affected the latter portion of my day. I had a terrible headache earlier today and it's gone now. I finished up the chores I had to finish and was able to write this blog. I FEEL GOOD. I'm more awake (even without the use of more coffee) and I'm looking with anticipation toward getting dinner started and prepared for my family. And I can't wait until my husband comes home so I can wrap my arms around him and tell him how much I love him.
Give it a try tomorrow. Give yourself fifteen minutes more in the morning. Pamper yourself a little. Find your foundation. Wear some lipstick. Shave your legs. Spritz on some of that perfume you know your husband likes. Remember how excited you were before that first date. It's a lie from the devil that after marriage we have to "let ourselves go." I'm making a vow today to make my husband remember why he fell in love with me in the first place. I want to radiate beauty to him.
The wife in Proverbs 31 did it. Why can't I?
Monday, March 26, 2012
Proverbs 31:10-31
Proverbs 31:10-31 says this:
A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
One of the things I hear quite often is: How do you know what the Bible is saying? It's so hard to understand. Actually, it isn't.
The Bible is God-inspired. These are the words that God wants us to get into our hearts more than any others. The pages of the Bible are filled with great knowledge and understanding. They are filled with God's instructions on how to "do life". If it was hard for us to understand...well why would He bother?
For those who want to understand, there is understanding available. You only have to have the desire to become what God wants you to become. You have to pray and ask God to reveal the truth of the Scripture to you. Sounds simple, doesn't it?
It is!
God is mysterious, yes. Sometimes we don't understand all of His ways. But He doesn't make His desires for us a mystery. God is yearning to tell you what He wants from you as a wife. He has a plan for your life. He has a plan for your marriage. We're going to study this portion of Scripture. We're going to tear it apart and really get into the meat of what it has to say for our lives today. John Maxwell likes to teach in a way where he "puts the cookies on the bottom shelf, where everyone can reach them." That's what I want to do for you, Proverbs 31 Wife.
As you read this Scripture over again, don't worry if you're not there yet. I don't think anyone is completely there yet! I know I'm not! But I have a vision for my life and for my family that goes beyond what I currently see happening in my own life. I know that God's Word is true. And when He says He has plans that will prosper me, I believe Him. I've never believed Him more than I do right now.
So, come along with me on this journey. Let's talk about marriage and what God has to say about the type of wife He wants us to be.
I'm willing to bet that you're going to be surprised.
A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
One of the things I hear quite often is: How do you know what the Bible is saying? It's so hard to understand. Actually, it isn't.
The Bible is God-inspired. These are the words that God wants us to get into our hearts more than any others. The pages of the Bible are filled with great knowledge and understanding. They are filled with God's instructions on how to "do life". If it was hard for us to understand...well why would He bother?
For those who want to understand, there is understanding available. You only have to have the desire to become what God wants you to become. You have to pray and ask God to reveal the truth of the Scripture to you. Sounds simple, doesn't it?
It is!
God is mysterious, yes. Sometimes we don't understand all of His ways. But He doesn't make His desires for us a mystery. God is yearning to tell you what He wants from you as a wife. He has a plan for your life. He has a plan for your marriage. We're going to study this portion of Scripture. We're going to tear it apart and really get into the meat of what it has to say for our lives today. John Maxwell likes to teach in a way where he "puts the cookies on the bottom shelf, where everyone can reach them." That's what I want to do for you, Proverbs 31 Wife.
As you read this Scripture over again, don't worry if you're not there yet. I don't think anyone is completely there yet! I know I'm not! But I have a vision for my life and for my family that goes beyond what I currently see happening in my own life. I know that God's Word is true. And when He says He has plans that will prosper me, I believe Him. I've never believed Him more than I do right now.
So, come along with me on this journey. Let's talk about marriage and what God has to say about the type of wife He wants us to be.
I'm willing to bet that you're going to be surprised.
Why Another Blog?
If you are a follower of my other blog (Noggintabloggin) you may be asking yourself, why is she writing another blog? There are many reasons.
Becoming a Proverbs 31 wife has been at the core of my heart ever since Craig and I got married. God began speaking to me and preparing me to be the kind of wife that he needed before I even met each other. When we met and married shortly after, God really laid it on my heart. Marriage is important to me. My marriage, of course, but also marriage in general. Marriage should be the foundation in families. It should be the bond that holds families together. Sadly, a lot of relationships just are not put together that way. Children come along and marriage takes a back seat. Or other relationships interfere. Marriage was designed by God. And of course, as one of God's covenants, it comes under the attack of Satan. I am passionate about marriage. And I wanted a place to be able to share that passion. I may share stories from my own life. Some of my entries may be humorous, some maybe serious. But I will promise you this: I will write based on what God has placed on my heart. I will share what God gives me to share. Nothing more, nothing less. With that in mind...stay tuned. God's got some things about marriage that He wants to say.
Becoming a Proverbs 31 wife has been at the core of my heart ever since Craig and I got married. God began speaking to me and preparing me to be the kind of wife that he needed before I even met each other. When we met and married shortly after, God really laid it on my heart. Marriage is important to me. My marriage, of course, but also marriage in general. Marriage should be the foundation in families. It should be the bond that holds families together. Sadly, a lot of relationships just are not put together that way. Children come along and marriage takes a back seat. Or other relationships interfere. Marriage was designed by God. And of course, as one of God's covenants, it comes under the attack of Satan. I am passionate about marriage. And I wanted a place to be able to share that passion. I may share stories from my own life. Some of my entries may be humorous, some maybe serious. But I will promise you this: I will write based on what God has placed on my heart. I will share what God gives me to share. Nothing more, nothing less. With that in mind...stay tuned. God's got some things about marriage that He wants to say.
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