What a Woman #Seven

The end of the series is nigh...in fact, here's my final thoughts.

The woman of excellence in Proverbs 31.......What a Woman! She's a little like a mythical creature....can she really be real? She's a little too challenging at times....can anyone really be that perfect? She's clever and capable, practical and thoughtful, generous and energetic, wise and well dressed......so many things I am not. And yet, I don't resent her for that. I am just asking God to help me be more of those things, not so my head gets any bigger....just so I can be the blessing He wants me to be to others.

So I'll finish with a quick flick through the original list I wrote when I first looked through Proverbs 31 at the end of last year. These are things that stood out to me and challenged me most about how I was living...or not living as the case may be.

She.....(and therefore I need to....)

• laughs at the days to come....I can smile at the unknown future because I have blessed assurance - Jesus is mine and He walks with me through all things
• speaks with wisdom....Lord may my words be few and when I do utter them, may they be so very wise
• is not idle.....I'm looking for balance here - to not just be busy for busy's sake, but to know when and how to rest as well
• brings her husband good.....through prayer and then very practical means
• starts the day early....thanks baby boy - you make that so much easier:)
• helps the poor and needy......ahhhh! my never-ending challenge
• has value....thanks God that WHO I am and what I do matters
• is enthusiastic.....yay for life!
• is ready...no matter the season of life. As I said last post, if times are good....prepare now. And if times are tough....hold on my friend.
• dresses well......clothing herself in strength and dignity
• will be rewarded...bring it on!
• is praised, not because she is and does all these amazing things, but simply because she fears the LORD. May that be you and I too.....that we are women who consider the good He has done and the awesomeness He is and we revere, worship and honour Him.

Ahh yes....a woman of excellence...who can find?

I can....she is reading this line right now!

On My Mind This Week....

Do you ever feel like you have days...maybe weeks....where your head is so full and jumbled that it gives you a headache?


I woke up with a dull thudding in my brain this morning and rather than blaming getting up to baby during the night, I thought I'd take the time to think about all that's been in my head this week.


Here's a sample.....

• planning lessons....for next week during and after a 3AM feed and wishing I could just shut off the brain so I could sleep
• feeling really hot
• do people think that me being a Christian is all about what I DON'T do?
• why is j so whingey? why is he waking through the night so often? why do I have not a clue as to the answer to those questions?
• how do I politely refuse an offer of more work?
• should I even be working at all?
• why am I so selfish? judgemental? impatient? lazy?
• trying to fit another thing into a day that is already full
• wondering what to cook for mum's group or dinner...only to find half the ingredients for what I wanted to make are no longer in the pantry
• working out the best times to make phone calls...a) for when I'll actually be able to talk to the person on the other end of the phone b) for when it fits into the eating, sleeping, playing schedule that's running this end and c) for when I feel like I am alert and awake enough to make it a worthwhile conversation
• considering ebay purchases
• planning a holiday
• the grocery shopping dilemma
• AND so it goes.......

I guess as a woman....a wife....a mother.....that list of things our mind dwells on is always 
l-o-n-g....VERY long. And yes....it can certainly seem overwhelming at times.


But I have also been reminded of God's promise to me....Isaiah 26:3 - You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.


Now the question is.....will I allow room in that full and swirling mind for my focus to be on trusting Him?

From Numbers 6

“The LORD bless you 
   and keep you; 
the LORD make his face shine on you 
   and be gracious to you; 
the LORD turn his face toward you 
   and give you peace.”


Who is this LORD?
He is YAHWEH....Jehovah.
He is the ETERNAL, UNCHANGING ONE.
He is the God who is self-existent, holy, 'other'.
He is CREATOR of the whole universe....and you.
He is ALMIGHTY, POWERFUL, KING of KINGS.
He is LOVE, GRACE, PEACE, GOODNESS, LIGHT.


He PROTECTS and PROVIDES.
He fulfils promises.
He is concerned for His people and acts on their behalf.


How do I know?
A. I have seen Him at work in MY life
B. Exodus 3 tells me He is 'I AM'


So today, I pray that YAHWEH pours all that He is into your life.