take heart

Like many other women, I have enjoyed the works of Jane Austen, particularly "Persuasion" and "Pride and Prejudice." She captures so perfectly what is elegant and proper to ladies, and describes the yearning of a heart to be loved. She speaks of grandeur and estates and maids and groundskeepers. As I was reflecting on this the other day while I was weeding my garden, I started to have this nagging feeling in the back of my head that I was about to get a lecture, sometimes known as my time with the Lord. He had something he wanted me to think about.

Who has deemed this to be proper? A love story written by a woman who never married. Have women been duped into thinking they have a husband less than perfect because he does not have the social clout of Mr. Darcy? Or that he is lacking because he cannot sit through an hour of Brahms without thinking that it is his own lullaby and sleep away?

At the time when Austen wrote about the finer things of life, there was a different breed of man across the pond in America fighting for a different way of life. These men looked and acted differently. They were fighting for freedom, for their faith...they were fighting to live to see the next day. They loved their God and their family and the right to see justice for every person.

The Lord asked me, "What do I say is important in a man?" My mind was flooded with the character of a Godly man: honesty, obedience to the Lord, caring for others, generous, hard working, just, and wise. Those things matter. Ripped jeans and proper etiquette can take a second row. God looks to the heart and judges a man as such. I have looked to my husband's heart, and do you know what I have found? A good man. And in that I can be so very thankful!

thirty-one 26

I was reading through Proverbs 31 (v10-31) again this morning and I wanted to find one verse that closely fit my personality, to find the one that would describe me the best. I read each verse, and liked several, but I landed on verse 26. "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." This suited me. And then it was as if a light bulb turned on and I saw Proverbs 31 in a whole new light. Each woman has a gift, spiritual and/or by a given talent, and this gift reflects who God has made her to be. The verses of Proverbs 31 represent several gifts, and the fruits thereof.

A few examples
Compassion, Helps (v20) she opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy
Craftsmanship (v13, 22, 24) works with eager hands, makes coverings for her bed, makes linen garments, etc
Leadership (27) watches over the affairs of her household, manages her servant girls

I believe this is a painting of a woman through stages of her life. The strength and energy of youth; the ingenuity and hard work of a businesswoman; the dedication and compassion of a mother; the wisdom and grace of a God-fearing wife. It truly is a beautiful painting.

God has gifted each woman and given her a task for a time. Sometimes we can wish away the "time" we are in for another. Embrace the time you are in and know God's will is for your complete trust in him as he guides you...guides me. Be confident of this, "that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." (Phil 1:6)