The Rare Woman v.10 - April 1, 2010

Today we are going to talk about the rare woman as described in Proverbs 31:10. Please keep in mind that I am learning this with you! I do not claim to be a perfect, virtuous woman or wife (hey, I don't even dream that I am because I am so far from it!!). This is a learning experience for me as well as it is for you hopefully.
In Proverbs 31, Lemuel writes his mother's words about the "Praise of a virtuous woman". Whether she considered herself to be a virtuous woman or not, it doesn't say. The fact of the matter is that she knew what she was talking about! Since God allowed this chapter to be placed in His Word, I dare say that He fully backs up what makes a virtuous woman. God knew how hard it would be for women to become and stay virtuous. I am finding it harder and harder the faster paced my life becomes to even contemplate striving to be virtuous. I am a SAHM, but I don't think there is even one day when I am able to stay at home all day! You know how it is, between family, church, and sports activities (not to mention the doctor's appointments, etc!). I barely have a chance to really breathe and clear my head for a minute. BUT, God does not call us to be too busy for Him. He calls us to "Be still and know I am GOD!" If we are always busy rushing, rushing, rushing, how are we ever going to be still enough to hear His still, small voice?
The Holy Spirit is living inside of us as long as we have accepted Christ into our hearts and believe that He died for us on Calvary, but if you're too busy, you can't even hear your audible stomach growl telling you that it's hungry until you're almost ready to pass out from hunger. Do y'all know how that is, or is it just me? I have become so busy with getting stuff down that I don't realize I'm hungry until I'm all jittery!
With all that said, I hope that even if you can't slow down enough physically, I hope you can slow down enough mentally to let God speak to you today. Not only through this blog, but through any other means He may try to use. Remember, it's not enough to just read what someone else says about the Bible. You HAVE TO get in there YOURSELF some everyday, and charge your batteries! Let God speak to you through His Holy Word.!
In Proverbs 31, it is said:
"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies."
One thing definitely hasn't changed: Rubies are still valuable and pretty! :-) Real rubies are also rare. Not the fake stuff you can find in the dollar stores! We can find fake virtuous woman all day long. The ones who act a certain way in front of others, but when they're at home, it is a completely different story! Or, better yet, one who can say and act the right way, but their heart isn't right. Are y'all like that? I'll be honest: I get that way sometimes! I will find myself grumbling in my heart that it's not fair. Why should I have to do it?? Best of all: WHEN CAN I GET A MOMENT TO MYSELF???? Those are all very selfish thoughts that we have to learn to control if we are going to be the kind of virtuous woman that God wants us to be. Correction: we don't have to learn to control them. We have to learn to surrender those thoughts to God in order for Him to deal with them and clean our hearts the right way.
Trying to clean our own hearts is like making a 2 year old clean their own rooms. From the surface it may look clean, but once you start looking under the blankets, under the beds, under the dressers, you begin to find things the toddler hasn't wanted to either deal with or get rid of. That is how we are with God. We are His child. We cannot clean our "rooms" ourselves. We have to let Him come in and get rid of what isn't needed and also shine what needs to stay.
Back to Proverbs 31, when they say that her price is far above rubies, that screams out "RARE!" It is difficult to find one of these women, and even more difficult to become one. But, if you do either, it is so worth it in the end.
My prayer for today is that God would make me a rare woman. Not one who blends in with the crowd, but one who is committed to letting God speak to her during quiet times and letting God clean her heart Himself, holding nothing back!

Coming Up in April

The first thing I am going to discuss is Proverbs 31. It leans more towards how woman should be towards their husbands and homes, but it can also be insightful to men also as they are looking for ways to pray for their wives or if they need to know what to look for in a wife. The following is an excerpt from the KJV of Proverbs 31:10-31. I will attempt to cover 1 verse a day starting in April. Please note that this is not something I have down to an art :) I am human, and I will be learning right along with you!

Praise of a Good Woman
10	Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.
11	The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12	She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13	She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14	She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15	She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16	She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17	She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18	She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19	She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20	She stretcheth our her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21	She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22	She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23	Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24	She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25	Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26	She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27	She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28	Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29	Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30	Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31	Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

First, About Me :)

Hi! My name is Mindy. I am a 25 year old, SAHM to 3 wonderful little boys. We plan to start homeschooling this fall as our youngest will already be in kindergarten! I am creating this blog as a way to stay in the Word and share with others insights I have throughout my readings. This is not just about words in any book, or about religion. This is about a relationship with Jesus Christ, and us growing closer to Him through the studying and meditating of His Word. I hope you enjoy. Please do note that any blatant downing comments will be deleted. If you do not agree, that is completely fine, and please do feel free to shoot me an email. This blog is an attempt to uplift and encourage others, not to get into a huge debate on here. Thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy!