A good woman?

Not long ago, I had some time to think about what kind of person I am and what kind of wife I could be. I read Proverbs 31 a lot during this time and really felt that I was not in the place to be the "good woman" described. I also realised I could only become that kind of woman whilst I was single. I'm really praying that as I seek God I will become this woman and he'll prepare for one day when I will meet a man who says "Many woman have done wonderful things, but you have outclassed them all!" 

Enjoy...

"A good woman is hard to find,

and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,

and never has any 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 organising her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,

then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden,
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 colourful 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!"

                                                                               Proverbs 31:10-31 (Message Remix)

Why blog?

This post begins a blog which I hope will accompany me through what promises to be an incredible year.

A year characterised by:
a life"as free as complications as possible" (1 Corinthians 7:32); 
becoming completely vulnerable and open to His will;
intimacy with Jesus;
singleness!;
freedom to love in abundance for everyone whom I encounter;
and complete dependence on Him to provide all I need.

And what better way to become completely vulnerable then by sharing this journey openly. If just one person can learn something from this then it'll be totally worth while.

Last year was an interesting year. I suffered from depression, struggled to cope with Uni and things happening at home and went through a break-up. Jesus has taught me so much through it all and under pressure my faith has grown stronger. Now, I want to totally put my focus on Him.

I'm committing to focusing on God this year and giving Him my need to be with someone and desire to be married so that I can learn and really know that He is enough for me.


This verse has really inspired me to make that decision...

                "I want you to live a life as free of complications as possible. When you're unmarried you're free to concentrate on simply pleasing the Master. Marriage involves you in all the nuts and bolts of domestic life and in wanting to please your spouse, leading to so many more demands on your attention. The time and energy that married people spend on caring for and nurturing each other, the unmarried spend in becoming whole and holy instruments of God. I'm trying to be helpful and make it as easy as possible for you, not make things harder. All I want is for you to be able to develop a way of life in which you can spend plenty of time together with the Master without lots of distractions." (1 Corinthians 7:32-35)

...what an amazing way to spend your time!