Just recently I celebrated my 7 year wedding anniversary! I absolutely love being married to my husband Scott, who is my best friend and partner in life. I am seeing more and more as the days, weeks, months and years go by how we complete each other. His gifts and abilities strengthen me; my gifts and abilities strengthen him. Marriage truly is a partnership! As a married woman, it is my responsibility to do all I can to strengthen, support, encourage and minister to my husband.
Proverbs 31:11-12 says: "The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life."
I emphasis the word "trust" in this scripture because it seems to jump out at me. Let me back up for a moment.
Lately the Lord has been revealing to me some areas of my life where I need to step up to the plate - specifically regarding my role as the home manager. I am always amazed at the wide range of gifts, talents and abilities the Proverbs 31 woman has. This morning I had yet another revelation about our role model (the Prov 31 woman)...she probably had to work very hard to become better at the areas she lacked. Let's face it...we are not perfect! Darn it! It's going to take some hard work ladies to become as diligent, consistent, thorough and knowledgable as we are called to be.
A huge key in marriage is to gain the trust of your husband. This is accomplished by doing what you say you will do. Be a woman of your word! Follow through on home tasks - especially the areas you dislike. For example: laundry or keeping the bills organized. Become an expert at it! Go the extra mile, especially in the areas you are inclined to ignor or put on the back burner. Quite honestly, your husband shouldn't have to worry about if you went over budget this month. Learn how to be wise shopper; a frugal spender. If you have a household budget - stick to it! Earn your husbands trust. Don't be the cause of his stress!
Let's take it one step further - remember what I said at the top of this post? Marriage is a partnership. In order for any partnership to work each person has to do their part - and do it well! Right now the Olypmics are in full swing. I am completely amazed by the Ice Dancing! In the sport of Ice Dance you must be connected to your partner throughout the entire performance, except for a few moments where you are separted to show off foot work and spinning elements. Other than that, you are literally dancing across the ice, connected to your partner the entire time. There has to be a full trust and confidence in each skater for the partnership to work. Can you imagine if the female ice dancer decided to skate off, away from her partner and do her own thing? It would completely ruin the performance and surely disappoint her partner!
There are many distractions that come about in daily life...trust me...I know! However in marriage - a partnership, we don't have the liberty to go off and do our own thing. There is a training involved, just as with ice dancing, to become an expert. It's called discipline - day in and day out!
Become trustworthy! It's worth it.
I leave you today with this reminder from Proverbs 31:28-29: "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: many daughters have done well, but you excell them all."
Trustworthy,
Lydia
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
What Get's You Noticed?
Generally, women spend more time focusing on the outside appearance (hair, clothes, make-up) rather than the inside (mind, soul, spirit, condition of her heart). The Word reminds us that it's what's on the inside that is important. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who fears the Lord! The truth is, if you're spending more time on the outward rather than cultivating a heart after God, you're missing it!
Proverbs 31:30 (NKJV) says "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."
I'll admit, it feels great when someone compliments my outfit or notices how great my hair looks when I have a really good hair day. But honestly, nothing blesses me more when someone compliments my character, or thanks me for the fact that when they poured out their heart to me I actually stopped and listened and took time to pray with them.
Ultimately, women are seeking to learn and model their lives after a woman of character, not neccessarily a beautiful woman.
Here are some things that make an impression on me when it comes to other women:
So, what get's you noticed? Think about it. Sometimes it's good to just sit and think! When someone thinks of you or your name is mentioned, what would you want other people to say about you? Are you too wrapped up in the outward appearance or is the condition of your heart of greater value?
By the way, the outward appearance represents more than just your person - it represents your possessions, too (house, car, things, etc.)
Take a day or two to examine your speech, your thoughts, your actions and your motives. You'll learn alot! The important thing to always remember is that God looks at your heart, not your flesh (the inside, not the outside). God certainly cares about your physical needs; the clothes you wear and the food you eat. But He doesn't want you to be concerned, consumed or overwhelmed by those things.
The Word says:
1 Samuel 16:7 - But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Proverbs 4:23 - Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
My charge to you...get noticed for the right reasons!
Lydia
Proverbs 31:30 (NKJV) says "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."
I'll admit, it feels great when someone compliments my outfit or notices how great my hair looks when I have a really good hair day. But honestly, nothing blesses me more when someone compliments my character, or thanks me for the fact that when they poured out their heart to me I actually stopped and listened and took time to pray with them.
Ultimately, women are seeking to learn and model their lives after a woman of character, not neccessarily a beautiful woman.
Here are some things that make an impression on me when it comes to other women:
- She is comfortable in her own skin; confidence
- She is more concerned about others than herself
- She knows how to balance taking care of herself physically without being consumed by it
- Her words are seasoned with salt
- She responds and doesn't react
- She knows the Word
- Her home life is stable and she values peace and order in her home; not surrounded by chaos and stress
- Others speak well of her; good reputation
- She has a solid marriage and good relationship with her children
- Her friendships are intact and growing; no strife
So, what get's you noticed? Think about it. Sometimes it's good to just sit and think! When someone thinks of you or your name is mentioned, what would you want other people to say about you? Are you too wrapped up in the outward appearance or is the condition of your heart of greater value?
By the way, the outward appearance represents more than just your person - it represents your possessions, too (house, car, things, etc.)
Take a day or two to examine your speech, your thoughts, your actions and your motives. You'll learn alot! The important thing to always remember is that God looks at your heart, not your flesh (the inside, not the outside). God certainly cares about your physical needs; the clothes you wear and the food you eat. But He doesn't want you to be concerned, consumed or overwhelmed by those things.
The Word says:
1 Samuel 16:7 - But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Proverbs 4:23 - Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
My charge to you...get noticed for the right reasons!
Lydia
Thursday, February 18, 2010
All the single ladies say...Heeyyyyyy!
Single and satisfied or single and ungratified? That is the question. Either way, as a single woman you have a HUGE opportunity to grasp something that many married women only wish they would of grasped before marriage.
Proverbs 31:10 says "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies."
So why is this post dedicated to all you single lovely ladies? For this reason - becoming a virtuous wife starts long before marriage.
Let's look at this verse again...."Who can FIND a virtuous wife?"
To find something you obviously have to search. Your future husband is looking for Godly characteristics in his future bride. Virtue, among other Godly character traits, is established before you get married. Sure, you will continue to grow and deepen this extremely important characteristic every day of your life, however, the things your future man is searching for are being developed within you now, before marriage.
Let's face it, once you're married your attention is divided. Once you have kids, it's really divided! This isn't bad of course, unless you completely neglect your time with the Lord and focus only on the man and munchkins. The reality is this...time and priorities become more difficult to manage and balance once you are married and become a mom.
When you're single, you have a couple advantages.
#1. TIME - Simply stated - when you're single you have more time. I'm not saying that the things you are involved in are not important. They probably are. But if you're not married, you don't have a husband to look after and if you don't have kids you obviously aren't responsible to raise children yet. You have more time to give to the Lord and more time dedicated to focus on the things of God.
The Word says this:
1 Corinthians 7:34-35 (NKJV) "There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world - how she may please her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction."
#2. LESS DISTRACTIONS - When you're married and have kids you spend a lot of time taking care of your family. This is a good thing and is certainly honorable and right before the Lord. As I stated earlier, it can be difficult to balance your time and priorities. When you're single, you don't have as many distractions to worry about. There are certainly lots of things that can easily distract you whether you're married or single. Take the opportunity as a single woman to learn how to manage your time. Become distracted with the things of God!
I exhort all you single ladies....don't wallow in despair that your man has not come along just yet! He will...the Lord knows your heart and your desires. Focus on becoming a woman of virtue now! Don't wait to live by this timeless principle.
I'm rooting for you and I believe in you!
Lydia
Proverbs 31:10 says "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies."
So why is this post dedicated to all you single lovely ladies? For this reason - becoming a virtuous wife starts long before marriage.
Let's look at this verse again...."Who can FIND a virtuous wife?"
To find something you obviously have to search. Your future husband is looking for Godly characteristics in his future bride. Virtue, among other Godly character traits, is established before you get married. Sure, you will continue to grow and deepen this extremely important characteristic every day of your life, however, the things your future man is searching for are being developed within you now, before marriage.
Let's face it, once you're married your attention is divided. Once you have kids, it's really divided! This isn't bad of course, unless you completely neglect your time with the Lord and focus only on the man and munchkins. The reality is this...time and priorities become more difficult to manage and balance once you are married and become a mom.
When you're single, you have a couple advantages.
#1. TIME - Simply stated - when you're single you have more time. I'm not saying that the things you are involved in are not important. They probably are. But if you're not married, you don't have a husband to look after and if you don't have kids you obviously aren't responsible to raise children yet. You have more time to give to the Lord and more time dedicated to focus on the things of God.
The Word says this:
1 Corinthians 7:34-35 (NKJV) "There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world - how she may please her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction."
#2. LESS DISTRACTIONS - When you're married and have kids you spend a lot of time taking care of your family. This is a good thing and is certainly honorable and right before the Lord. As I stated earlier, it can be difficult to balance your time and priorities. When you're single, you don't have as many distractions to worry about. There are certainly lots of things that can easily distract you whether you're married or single. Take the opportunity as a single woman to learn how to manage your time. Become distracted with the things of God!
I exhort all you single ladies....don't wallow in despair that your man has not come along just yet! He will...the Lord knows your heart and your desires. Focus on becoming a woman of virtue now! Don't wait to live by this timeless principle.
I'm rooting for you and I believe in you!
Lydia
Welcome...
Dear Proverbs 31 Woman...Welcome!
Yes that's right...you are a Proverbs 31 woman whether you feel like one or not! Whether you are married, single, divorced, widowed, young or old, you are a Proverbs 31 woman. Most of us have heard about this super chic who does it all. Is it even possible to attain such character and live to such a high standard and still keep your sanity? Well, in your own strength the answer is no. However, if you accept the call to live this way and partner with the Holy Spirit in your life it is absolutely attainable! By the way - don't worry. It's not as hard as you think!
I'm learning daily how to live as a Proverbs 31 woman. I have by no means mastered this lifestyle. Each day I'm faced with a choice to live, think, speak, act, organize, prepare, plan, lead, parent, shepard and love better than I did the day before. Oh yes, each day presents its challenges, however, when you understand how you are called to live it makes all the difference!
There is a call of God on Christian women to live at a higher level. Well, all Christians actually. You may have heard the terms "above reproach" or "in this world but not of it." Living like everyone else just won't cut it. We cannot fall into the trap of conforming to this world; to what our society says is acceptable. We need to conform ourselves TO the Word and be transformed BY the Word!
Proverbs 31 is the standard for me. It's my personal challenge to be a woman of virtue, character, integrity, honesty, diligence, consistency, hospitality, creativity, wisdom and strength.
I ask you to accept the call and receive the challenges that Proverbs 31 present to us as women!
Are you with me?
Lydia
Yes that's right...you are a Proverbs 31 woman whether you feel like one or not! Whether you are married, single, divorced, widowed, young or old, you are a Proverbs 31 woman. Most of us have heard about this super chic who does it all. Is it even possible to attain such character and live to such a high standard and still keep your sanity? Well, in your own strength the answer is no. However, if you accept the call to live this way and partner with the Holy Spirit in your life it is absolutely attainable! By the way - don't worry. It's not as hard as you think!
I'm learning daily how to live as a Proverbs 31 woman. I have by no means mastered this lifestyle. Each day I'm faced with a choice to live, think, speak, act, organize, prepare, plan, lead, parent, shepard and love better than I did the day before. Oh yes, each day presents its challenges, however, when you understand how you are called to live it makes all the difference!
There is a call of God on Christian women to live at a higher level. Well, all Christians actually. You may have heard the terms "above reproach" or "in this world but not of it." Living like everyone else just won't cut it. We cannot fall into the trap of conforming to this world; to what our society says is acceptable. We need to conform ourselves TO the Word and be transformed BY the Word!
Proverbs 31 is the standard for me. It's my personal challenge to be a woman of virtue, character, integrity, honesty, diligence, consistency, hospitality, creativity, wisdom and strength.
I ask you to accept the call and receive the challenges that Proverbs 31 present to us as women!
Are you with me?
Lydia
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