Monday, January 19, 2009

The Woman We Strive To Be

A wonderful marriage, great kids, good job, beautiful home, fit, healthy and beautiful all describe the Proverbs 31 Woman. And these are the things that most of us look at when we think of her.

Proverbs 31:28 says "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:"

Isn't that what we all want? Don't we want our husbands to appreciate us and value us? Don't we want our children to do the same?

As I studied the text, it became so clear to me that the attributes listed above are not what makes this woman so great. What makes her great is in verse 30, it is her relationship with God "...but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

That is the key to everything. In all things, it all goes back to our relationship with God.

He alone is the key to our success.

The more time we spend with Him, the better our marriages will be; the better our relationship with our children will be. Believe it or not, the better our homes will be.

God showed me this personally last week. I made the decision to spend more time in His Word and more time with Him. I specifically asked God to order my steps and order my day. I believe that God has a plan and a purpose for my life (Jeremiah 29:11) and I also believe that He has a plan and a purpose for my day. Last week I was more conscience of living for His purpose and according to His plan daily.

I am excited to tell you that I got more accomplished last week than I have in a long time. I cleaned out closets and organized things. I prepared meals for my family. I ran errands. I enjoyed lunch with a friend. I ate better. I felt better. I prepared food to take to someone. My attitude was better. It really was just a great week.

I did close out my week feeling appreciated by my family. No one stood up in their chair at the dinner table and sang my praises, but none the less I felt their love. And then it dawned on me...they didn't see as much of me this week. Oh no, what made this such a great week is that they saw more of Jesus shinning through me than they saw of me.

And that ladies is the treasure that I uncovered in Proverbs 31 this week.


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1 comment:

Micca said...

Hi Laurie!
I've really enjoyed visiting your blog! Thank you for being a faithful visitor of mine.

You are a wonderful writer! And your home is beautiful, too!

I could identify with so much of what you've shared. And...if your kids ever do stand in the chair and sing your praises, mother's around the world will want to know about it!
blessings!