For years I avoided reading Proverbs 31. I was aware of abounding flaws. I knew that I would never measure up to the virtuous woman. I felt like a failure.
Being raised by loving Christian parents, yet having made choices that led to divorce, single motherhood, adultery, separation, etc. I believed I could never be anything like the Proverbs 31 woman.
Then Courtney wrote her book, The Proverbs 31 Woman: One Virtue at a Time and the Good Morning Girls were to complete a Bible study using it. I did not want to do it. I almost took a break from Good Morning Girls just to skip reading Proverbs 31.
God wouldn’t let it go. He kept pushing me to keep going with Good Morning Girls. It was the only Bible study that I had been able to make work for me as I was a full time working mom with little ones at the time.
So, I started it and then Courtney said something that changed my life forever.
The Proverbs 31 woman did not do all of this in a day.
I literally broken down when she said this. A weight was lifted off my shoulders. I felt peace that can’t be described with words.
Since the first Proverbs 31 study with Courtney, I’ve grown to love reading this chapter. It provides inspiration, encouragement and instruction to me each time I do. While I may not be everything the virtuous woman is today, I have taken many steps that she has and I continue to pursue my Proverbs 31 journey one day at a time.
My Proverbs 31 journey currently…
- My husband’s heart safely trusts in me
- I seek to do him good
- I work willingly
- I strive to make wise business choices
- I try to not be lazy
- I strive to be diligent
- I ensure my family has all they need
My Proverbs 31 journey needs improvement in…
- Caring for the poor
- Ensuring my mouth speaks wisdom and kindness
- Being accountable with my time
- Continuing to seek to do what’s best for my family
- All of the above (in BOTH lists)
I’m so very thankful that Proverbs 31 is a journey. It isn’t a place where I will ever really “arrive”. I will continue to build upon it throughout my entire life. There will be times that I am responsible for more of one area than the next…and that is OK!
I can’t be everything to everyone all at the same time. God has a calling for me today which will likely be different in the future. My Proverbs 31 journey will look completely different looking back from the end to all the places that I will have been.
This is a journey that will last a lifetime and I’m forever thankful for it!
I resonated with that from the study, also. I then looked at the Proverbs 31 woman as kind of a “perfect wish-list” of a woman to strive for, not that I will ever be that perfect, I forgive myself with grace and strive to be better tomorrow.
How often as young women, that we wrote out our “dream man” list? There were no flaws in that list, he should be “perfect” so why should we hold ourselves to a lesser list for the “perfect” wife? But we are only human, and broken, and flawed, and sinners forgiven by the blood of Christ. But that doesn’t mean we don’t keep trying…Thanks
Amen! I love the wish list idea! That’s a great way to look at the Proverbs 31 woman! How thankful I am that we don’t have to be perfect, but can instead continue pursuing the race God has placed before us! Blessings Kathy! 🙂
I love your transparency Misty and your list of what you feel you are doing well in and where you need improvement. I never thought to evaluate myself in that way. Great idea!
Love it! <3
Courtney
Aww thanks Courtney! 🙂 Yes, I find that if I know where to focus, then I can make progress in areas that I am lacking in vs. wandering around wondering what I should be working on! LOL! Love ya girl! <3