I don’t know about you, but when I first read Proverbs 31, I laughed, then wanted to cry, and then looked up to the Heavens and asked God, “Really? All this?” And a bag of chips. This isn’t my first time going through Proverbs 31…I’ve even attempted becoming the Proverbs 31 woman before, but I had my own agenda, assuming God would back me up. I had game plans, menu plans, and more check lists than dirty diapers in my garbage (and thats a lot)! I lasted all of three days before I was exhausted, angry, feeling like a failure and frustrated that I apparently didn’t measure up to God’s standards.
“By myself I can do nothing…” -John 5:30
I’ve come along way since then, and I like to think I have matured spiritually. I’m no where near perfect, and even thinking about attempting perfection on my own makes me sick to my stomach, but lucky for me, and you, we don’t have to do anything alone. We have an almighty God who has promised to be there always, ready to fill us with the strength we didn’t know we could have.
So, for the next couple months I will be exploring the 10 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman and what that means for my life personally.
I’m not following a specific study, curriculum or even have a plan for that matter. I am simply taking one virtue at a time, listed beautifully by Melissa from A Virtuous Woman and seeing where God leads me.
It’s not going to be about the lists, the accomplishments, how gourmet my meals, how sparkling my toilets or how amazing I am at being frugal….it’s about a heart change.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” -Ezekiel 36:26
Amy Bayliss in her book Pursuit of Proverbs 31 says it beautifully: “We aren’t expected to be all that is written in Proverbs 31 and yet, in our imperfections we are still worth ‘more than rubies’…this is a look into the heart of God and the reality of those words in the Bible…this is a simple, biblical approach to living up to your God-given potential.”
Great right!? Exactly the place I want to start: the heart. Nothing else matters except that. God doesn’t care if my hair (or teeth) are brushed, my house cleaned or my children in cute, let alone, matching clothes, what He cares about is if my heart, soul and mind are focused and joyfully praising Him!
“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” –Proverbs 31: 30
Each week (God willing) I will post my findings, revelations, thoughts, any resources I find and personal applications. I’m going to post this journey on my blog, not for you, but for me. I need that accountability.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…I can do everything though Him who gives me strength.”
-Philippians 4:6-7, 13
