Blooming in this Season of Life

” Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a women who fears the Lord is to be praised.” ~Proverbs 31:28-30

When you read about the Proverbs 31 women it is easy to become discouraged or overwhelmed by this amazing women who seems to have it all together. She goes through seasons of life just like the rest of us, but some things remain constant.

The Proverbs 31 Women (taken from www.proverbs31.org)

Pursues an ongoing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Loves, honors, and greatly enriches the life of her husband, encouraging and supporting his leadership within his family and his church.

Nurtures the next generation, shaping and molding the children who will one day define who we are as a community and as a nation.

Creates a warm and loving environment for family and friends.

Is a faithful steward of the time and money God has entrusted to her.

Speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction as she encourages others and develops godly friendships.

Shares the love of Christ by extending her hands to help the poor and opening her arms to the needy.

When you look at it this way, it doesn’t seem nearly as daunting! During some seasons you will be able to do A.B, and C while other times you might me doing L,M, N,O, and maybe P. As women we tend to place too high of an expectation on ourselves. We can’t do everything and if we try, we will only become more frazzled than if we had just concentrated on a few things and learned to do them with excellence.

How does the Proverbs 31 women look for me during this season of life? Two things will always remain the same no matter how many children we have and how old they are. First and foremost is my relationship with Jesus Christ. He will always come first as he is the ultimate tour guide in life. Second is my husband. God designed marriage before he designed parenthood and so he needs to come before anything else, including kids! I am adjusting to life as a mom but still trying to keep in mind that I have other priorities and responsibilities as a Christ Follower and a Wife.

THE PROVERBS 31WOMEN ACCORDING TO ME

Spending quiet time with God, devotions and prayer time, Bible study

Encourage my husband with my words as well as respecting and supporting the decisions he makes for our family.

Providing nurturing and loving care for G

Keeping the house clean to provide a relaxing and enjoyable place for my husband to come home to as well as providing a place to fellowship with friends and loved ones

Keeping within our grocery budget while still eating whole and nutritious foods, Making a schedule to stay on task so I don’t waste time

Learning from godly women and sharing my experiences with others

Reaching out to my neighbors and hosting play groups

Over the next few weeks,I will explain in detail how I go about trying to achieve each of these things. It isn’t always easy and I don’t have it all together but I am beginning to find a system that works for our family. I hope you will be able to learn a thing or two and get inspired to become more like the Proverbs 31 Women!

Always Be Blooming

I was driving down I-75 and saw these beautiful wildflowers blooming right in the middle of the highway. I admired them as quickly as I could since I was going 75 mph. I couldn’t get the image of these flowers out of my head. As I continued to drive to my destination I noticed more flowers in places you wouldn’t expect them and others where you would, in a garden. What amazed me the most is that it didn’t matter where these flowers were planted, whether in a garden or in the middle of eight lanes of traffic, they bloomed. Their roots are deep in the ground and they’re able to withstand storms. Sure, they might dry up or begin to wilt, but then they are watered and become full of life and beauty again.

I began thinking about how this might pertain to my life. I have a tendency to not act on something until the conditions are just right, having enough money, a spotless house, the right outfit, an impressive meal, or  the perfect activities planned. I always have an excuse, our place is too small, we live too far away, I don’t know anyone, we don’t have enough decorations up in the house, etc. This summer I have truly realized that God has blessed us with this house and we need to use it to bless others. I had this idea in my head of what that would look like and of course all the conditions were perfect. God began tugging on my heart and gently reminded me that it isn’t about me, it is about Him. Just like those wildflowers in the middle of the highway, they weren’t planted in what would be the perfect place, but they still bloomed.

In order to serve and bless others I need to have strong roots that I can stand firm on. Spending time quieting my heart everyday and seeking God first is the only way for my roots to grow deeper and stronger. There will be times that I feel wilted, dried up. When I am thirsty, I have to drench myself in God’s word and bathe in his grace and mercy.

I’m not always going to be in what I consider the perfect conditions to serve and minister to others. I will have different seasons of life and I wont be able to do everything, but I can always be doing something. As long as my roots are deep and I continue to water myself, than no matter where I am planted, I will always be blooming.