Day 13 SHE SHARES KNOWLEDGE

I love it when people get together-all different kinds of people!  The best way to share what you know, is to talk about it.  Not spouting facts that are unasked for, but just sharing the things that you have learned. 

I am loving the livingroom gatherings that our church has started this month.  It is nice to interac with other ladies(so far) that are at different places in their lives.  To know and be known as the saying goes. 

Everyone has something to share-we have all gone through experiences that have helped shape who we are.  SHARE THE WISDOM THAT GOD HAS SHOWN TO YOU!!

Lord, let me pass on only wisdom to my children, and those around me.  Let me not pass on ungodly habits, or attitudes-but only those things that glorify you!  The lessons I have learned, the things YOU have clarified for me.  May I give wisdom away every day, and receive it willingly, when offered to me.

~~Deb~~

DAY 12 SHE HAS A SENSE OF HUMOUR

I enjoy laughing.  It is like medicine.  It makes me feel good-better.  It can take my attention off of my surroundings, at least off of the negative parts-and makes me look up!  Isn't that what we are supposed to do?

 When Peter was walking out on the water to meet Jesus, it was when he looked down that he began to sink.  Can you imagine what that would have felt like?  Keep your eyes on Christ, and not on the dreary things in the news, or in your neighborhood. 

Let your family, hubby included make you laugh!  Kids have the best way of looking at things!  Look at life from their perspective once in a while, instead of making them look at it from yours.  Laugh often, and laugh loudly, let your belly shake, let the tears flow, release your sadness and be filled with JOY!
~~Deb~~

Day 11 SHE HAS QUIET STRENGTH AND DIGNITY

We are learning in church on Sunday mornings about the beatitudes-this week was about meekness. "Blessed are the MEEK, for they will inherit the earth".

 We learned that meekness is like a stallion choosing to be bridled and trained-because he knows that it is for his protection.  The strength is there, underlying, yet he chooses to submit and surrender.





This definately brings to mind my Mom!  My Mother is a quiet soul.  It would take quite a lot to rile her up.  I don't know if I remember at all-one time, her yelling.(although I'm sure we would have deserved it)  She is the most dignified lady that I know-always elegant and even when having fun-is always polite and sure not to offend.  She would probably beg to differ, but she never has been embarassing, or undignified.  She is classy-but never puffed up, or acting above anyone else.   I do remember her praying with me, and for me as a child.  I love her, and long to be quiet and dignified as she is!

Lord, help me to hold my tongue when it would be displeasing to you to speak(or yell), and help me to always act deserving of the dignity that you have placed in me.  Let my quiet strength and dignity be what I am known for.   Let my words and actions be pleasing in your sight!~~Deb~~

Day 10 SHE ONLY SPEAKS HIGHLY OF HER HUSBAND

Day 10

She speaks only highly of her husband. 

 I love this one! I wholeheartedly agree with it.  I think very highly of my husband, and I strive daily to never speak ill of, or to complain about him. 

He is the man that God is making His image reflected in.  He is not perfect, of course-none of us are-but God is working in him!  Who am I to complain about God's choice for me?? I am His daughter, and joint heirs with my sweetie to God's kingdom!

Lord, help me to continue to speak only highly of my hubby!  Forgive me for the times I felt like I had had enough, and I didn't hold my tongue.  And help me to help others to do the same...help me to bless him(hubby) with my words, and deeds...let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight oh Lord!

~~Deb~~

Day 9-SHE PROVIDES COVERING FOR HER FAMILY

Day 9


She provides covering for her family;


I interpret this in a couple of different ways.

1) covering, as in clothing/concrete needs

2) covering, as in prayer for divine protection

And, aren't they BOTH so necessary?

Lord, let me be both a provider of the tangible things like clean, mended clothing, and the spiritual things like daily prayer for the protection and covering for my family! 




Help me to apply this NOBLE CHARACTER principle to my own life, and be a teacher to those around me-like my daughter and son.


You are my sole provider GOD!! I depend on you for everything: my sense of worth, my feeling of belonging, my needs, and my wants--I need you GOD!!

Day 8 SHE IS GENEROUS WITH HER TIME

Day 8
She is generous with her time:

Generous-means substantial: pleasingly large in size or quantity

 This calls to mind our too short bed-time routine(or lack thereof).  Too many nights, I admit to sending my son to bed, with barely a listen to his prayer...

Forgive me Lord!  Let me be the example to him (and my daughter) of your generosity.  Give me the ability to not get caught up in whatever tv show is on at bed-time, or whatever next task that I am trying to accomplish. 

Let me linger Lord!  My husband, son and daughter deserve more-they need me.  Help me to remember that when they want my attention or help with something, I need to give with a pleasingly large in size or quantity HEART!    

~~DEB~~

Day 7 She is ready to work

Day 7

SHE IS READY TO WORK

I think about the word ready in this thought.  I think of a starter's pistol-signaling the beginning of a race--Does the word READY apply to preparation, or willingness? Probably a little of both.  Being ready to work, is a state of mind.  It is putting one's selfish needs aside, and being willing to do whatever God is calling you to participate in today.

 It could be your own cleaning-which is necessary, or a task say, at your church, or neighborhood  that you have seen that needs done-but noone has stepped up yet to do.  Have you ever seen something, and thought to yourself   "someone really should do something about that"? Well maybe God is whispering to you, by showing you the need-Just do it! and as you follow His will in your life, He will lead you on from there.  Start from where you are, and "GO ON FROM HERE", as Pastor Carolyn teaches.

Have you done what you could have today??? It's never too late!
Ready?? Set...GO!!

~~DEB~~

Day 6- SHE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO HER FAMILY

Day 6

She is always available to her family! What does that really mean? If someone (in my family) is asking for something, do I do it/get it for them? YES.  Do I then never teach them(children) to do anything for themselves? No-absolutely not-I teach them by serving them, that we are called to serve each other-as Christ did.  I am there for whatever they need-a hug, an ear, because they want to talk,  a hand to help-whatever!  It is possible, but I have to first put my own needs aside.  That is what is difficult to do, and so against our sinful nature! In our society, I should come first-my needs, my wants, my desires! In the Godly woman(and man)'s life, we are called to be servants! 

I am in a ladies bible study group right now that is studying the vine.  Last week we spoke about how Jesus' deciples were expecting Him to rise up at some time and RULE the earth-with an iron fist so to speak-as they expected.  Instead, he knelt down and did the most lowly of tasks-washed their feet! (John 13:1-17)  Their expectations were wrong, so Jesus showed them the importance of serving.

The next time one of my children, or my hubby asks me to do something, I will be available!!! Lord, help me to lay my own life aside, and help me to serve others, as you have called me to. 



Help me to, whenever possible, say YES!  I know you are my sole provider, and I look to you for all things!

She works willingly, and with excitement.

Day 5

Well now, this is a touchy one for me. I guess it is more about the attitude of the woman while she is working-whether or not she enjoys it...I have always been a-let's get things done as quickly as possible, if I must-kind of person.  I really do not enjoy housework, cooking, tidying, yard work or any of those domestic things.  I labour through because it needs done, and only for that reason.  I am much more of a creative person-give me the outdoors and a camera and I am HAPPY! 

So I tend to get motivated with the best inspiration-MUSIC.  I put my MP4 player on(loaded with tons of new worship) and do my work with a smile on my face-it's the only way!

Or...you can do an emergency 3 minute tidy in a pinch! lol



Lord God, help me to be joyful, willing and excited as I go about my daily routine.

~~Deb~~

SHE INVESTS, SUCCEEDS, AND RE-INVESTS THE PROFITS

Day 4

She does what I stated above...lol

What a woman!  The words I write on this blog are the ones that the Lord gave to me-not my own interpretation of the Proverbs 31 scriptures.  As I was reading the passage-several things were jumping out at me, so I began writing them down.

 This point is a little harder for me to explain/expand on.  I guess what I take from it, is that whatever she invests in (time, money, hard work) she succeeds/prospers --and with the "spoils" or rewards, she continues to invest again.  May I be that way-wise enough to invest only in the things that the Lord leads me to, and believe that He will help me succeed.  And then in turn re-invest my time/money/effort.  It is to be a continual way of life, never ceasing.

I can't help but think of a garden.  My parents had one for quite a few years growing up, and many lessons were learned there-like: Investing time/effort and money will reap a crop of many kinds!  I can recount many hours spent in the veggie garden in my teenage years.(nothing helps calm a teens attitude like a couple of rows of weeds!) The crop harvested is well worth the time/money/effort.

So, what do you feel the lord leading you to invest your time in?
your efforts?
your money?

Do share!

She Plans Meals> DAY 3

Day 3 SHE PLANS MEALS

This one is a tricky one for me, as I do not naturally, usually do this.  I am more of a: Let's see what I have in the fridge/pantry/freezer that I can whip together into a nutricious meal that everyone will eat.  I do have a few favourite concoctions, but most of them do not require too much planning.  The scriptures in Prov 31 says that she(the wife of noble character):

15 "She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls." NIV
 
wow-gets up before dark, eh? That's tough for me.  I am definately NOT a morning person by nature. 
 
Lord, let me be an example for my daughter, of the wife and mother that you called me to be.  May my submitting to you show just how much I love you and long to know you more!

She always makes life easier for her husband.

She always makes life easier for her husband...

A wife's hand can do many things.  It can be clasped in prayer, for a shared burden, or it can gently turn his  stubborn head.  It can work tirelessly with the goal of togetherness in sight.  It can provide relief to his aching muscles,  or wipe the sweat from his tired brow.  It can mix, knead, press, or roll delicacies for her beloved to taste. 

 

 

Whatever the hand is set to do, may it always be outstretched to YOU oh God, for you are our strength!! 

SHE IS VALUABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY

DAY 1

What does it mean to be valuable and trustworthy?

Something that is valuable, is precious, and cared for.  It is protected and cherished.  It is set aside and looked upon with amazement. 

 For someone to be trustworthy, they will have earned it.  They are reliable, never failing and therefore worthy of that trust.

Lord, let me be such a woman! Worthy of the trust that my family and friends set on me.  Let me be of extreme value in this world, as I set out upon this journey with you!

A Wife of Noble Character

I read prov 31:10-31 last night, and I wrote down the things that stood out to me-and the things I feel that the Lord is telling me;

A Wife of Noble Character:

She is valuable and trustworthy
She always makes life easier for her husband
She plans meals
She invests, succeeds at it and re-invests the profits
She works willingly, with excitement
She is always available to her husband and children
She is ready to work
She is generous with her time, and provides covering for her family
She speaks only highly of her husband
She has quiet strength and dignity
She has a sense of humour
She shares knowledge
She delegates, and is not lazy
She is worthy of her family's praise
She surpasses others' nobility
She honours God
God will honour her efforts.

Whew, Lord, I pray that you will teach me to become this woman! Each day I will look at one characteristic and what it means to me today...

~Deb~

Mom, guess what?

It's amazing how a child's mind works.  My son just came home from school-and came in the door with a "Guess what, Mom?".  I thought he was going to tell me that he had found out today that he had made the soccer team that he had tried out for last week, but no...I went to the front door, and was surprised to see that he had brought a friend home(without asking). Surprise! What am I going to say the poor dear, but-"ah, is is ok with your Mom?" and (darling son of mine, you need to ask and get permission BEFORE bringing someone home) What if I was in the shower? lol I am glad that he is branching out-we have quite a few years with only cousins for friends(he has 7 of them).  He has made 4 new friends this year-and for that I am thankful!

I had been working in the corporate world for quite a while (just past 4 years) when we had a visit from head office.  At about 9:30am on a day in June-this year, I was asked to step into an office, and was told, basically that our branch was closing, and my position was no longer required.  I was one of 2 people that was not transferred to another branch in the area. 
I have come to peace with that day-an amazing summer-spent home and abroad with my Hubby and kids has helped a lot! The fact that this was "round 3" of this type of cut softened the blow.  I was thankful to get out when I did-as I said, to enjoy the beautiful summer.
I know GOD has amazing plans for me, and I can't wait to see them unfold!!