She is to be praised.

Proverbs comes to end, tonight will be my last post in proverbs next I will walk through Ruth, then Ester and then onto other book/verses in the bible about different topics. I want to continue to encourage anyone who reads my blog. I don't think many do but those who do, I want to encourage them,I want them to be a woman of God and draw close to him. I have to admit I was not virtuous in my thoughts this evening, I was very upset when I was talking to my husband and he didn't seem to care about my blog and acted like he had no idea I was even writing one. I was kind of upset and got frustrated but then I had to remind myself that I wasn't doing this for him I was doing this for me. I am just excited about starting and finishing a study, I have slacked off and on but I am going to do better from now on.

To fear the Lord, is more important than beauty or charm. Charm is good to have and it is good to be charming, but Satan can use charm to lie, cheat, steal, and tempt people. Beauty is not important, yes it's good to take care of yourself but do not let your looks be your God. Let God be your God, don't let vanity be the most important thing of your life. Use your hands for the good, be fruitful in the work you do and don't do it for the Glory of you, but for the Glory of God.

Proverbs 31:30-31

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 

Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise in her in the gates.

WOW! I don't want to be deceitful, or vain. I want to be seen as a woman who fears the Lord. I want to be praised not for my GLORY but for his Glory not for mine. I want the fruit of my hands to speak volumes, I want my children to get filled by my fruit and to learn how to be Godly woman from me, as well as what a Godly man looks like from their Daddy (Hubs). Remember being fruitful and charming and beautiful is not for us it is for him and his glory. It is okay to display beauty, it is okay to take care of yourself but also remember beauty is not to be your God, Make-up, clothing, hair, things like that should be important but should not be your main priority. I have enjoyed doing this study and learning what a virtuous woman truly is and I have learned a lot about myself, my husband, and most importantly MY GOD, what he expects from he and what he wants me to be and I will continue to strive to be the type of woman he has made me to be. Beauty is not bad, I mean I am one who likes to look nice, I want to have my hair done, and occasionally make up on, mainly because I feel much better when I do and it helps me feel better about myself, I try not to be vain, but who doesn't slip up on beauty and being vain, trust me if you are a woman, you have put all of your efforts into the way you look. Think back to when you were dating your spouse you took that extra effort to look good for them, and you always wanted to look extra good for them. 

Prayer

Lord, Help me to not be deceitful in my intentions, help me to do everything for you, and not for the Glory of Samantha, but for the Glory of the Lord. Help me to not be vain, help me to demonstrate to my children that fearing the Lord and giving him glory is more important than the way you look. Help me to give me the words to my girls, that even if they aren't following the trends or aren't allowed to wear certain things that it is for the better because it is glorifying him. Lord help me to not be vain or deceitful in my intentions with serving. AMEN.

They call her blessed!

I am going to be honest yet again,  I have not been doing well with encouraging my husband. I have let the world and the enemy get the best of me. I have been selfish. I am trying to do better with encouraging my husband. On a good note though, I have been better towards my children, not that I haven't faltered in my parenting because I have. I have seen a house that is running much smoother because there is less yelling and less frustration. I am enjoying my children more due to the fact that I can let them, let loose and be goofy, as long as they aren't hurting themselves or breaking important house rules, I can just let them be kids. That is something God has laid on my heart, that I need to just let my kids be kids and let me enjoy them. I have listened and done it and it has helped my kids laugh more, and just enjoy life. I love my kids so much and I don't know why God entrusted me with them, and I thank him for them every single day.

They call her blessed, if someone looks back on my life one day I hope they can describe me as blessed. Wow to be called blessed would be amazing. I hope that in my life I can be the virtuous woman and become blessed. If I am having a relationship with God where I am blessed by him, and a blessing to others I will do it.

Proverbs 31:28-29

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her: "Many woman have done excellently, but you surpass them all."

I want to be a big enough blessing to my husband and children that I am called excellent. I don't have to be perfect because lets face it no one is perfect. I just have be virtuous. God has already blessed me so much in my life as being a mother, the greatest blessing I have ever had is being a parent. I cannot imagine my life without my 3 beautiful girls, or my amazing Husband. God truly blessed me when he placed all of them in my life, and I am doing this virtuous journey for them. Praise God for the opportunity for me to strive to be virtuous and for showing me what it means to be virtuous.

Prayer

Lord, help me to rise up to be the mother and wife you have made me to be. Help me to learn to be more virtuous each and every day, help me to know what it means to truly be blessed. Thank you for allowing me to have all these amazing blessings in my life, and Lord thank you for sharing in your word the attribute of a Virtuous Woman and for helping me to be that woman. AMEN.

On a side note Two more verses in Proverbs 31, before we are finished. I am thinking of moving on to Ester next.

Idleness

How was I displaying virtue I was displaying it by being grateful to my parents, not getting upset with them, by holding my tongue and by only being a Godly mother and wife to the 4 most important people in my life. I have tried my best to not get upset or frustrated. I did succeed but not in every minute of everyday. I have only 4 days or so left on Proverbs 31 but I will be continuing this journey and this blog as I continue on a journey through the bible about being a Godly and virtuous wife and mother.I will not give up on this journey just because Proverbs is over. Please pray with me as I am work towards becoming virtuous.

To be honest everyone who does not suffer from laziness or idleness? I know it is a struggle of mine. I say "Hey I am to tired, or I'll get to that tomorrow." Then I never do. Laziness is something that I struggle with that is why there is currently a mountain of about 6 or so loads of laundry in my bedroom ready to be folded and separated and put away, but I just keep putting it off and putting it off. I know it needs done, but I don't want to do it, So I let the mountain get bigger until I Literally cannot stand it any more and to be honest I am at that point.I have to admit before starting this study I was also being idle in my relationship with God. I need to work on not being idle and laziness.

Proverbs 31:27

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

I know I can be idle in my relationship with God. I can be idle as a mother and wife as well. I don't want that. Idleness can tear things apart. I can be a wife and mother but be going through the motions but I don't want that anymore. I just want a relationship with God a true relationship. I want to be a good mom, and wife not just going through the motions of it. I am working at that everyday. I want to do everything with purpose I want to do everything with joy and God has shown me why it is important that I do this. That no matter what I am doing do it on purpose and with joy.

Prayer

Lord help me to not idle or be lazy. Lord help me to find purpose and joy in everything I do and to show my children that idleness is not the way God wants us to do things. Help me to do everything in a virtuous way. Let me show your love in everything I do. AMEN

Be careful little mouth what you speak.

I could have not been virtuous with a situation that happened yesterday. Something that was said I could have had major backlash one, but I didn't. However I was not exactly virtuous in the item that was posted about on social media. I pierced C's ears knowing that Hubs was not 100% on board with it. I should have honored his wishes and I didn't. He and I have talked about it and we understand where each other is coming from on our views from each side. That isn't the point, the point is I tried to handle the situation in the most virtuous way possible. No one is perfect and I make mistakes as does everyone.

Another way I was very virtuous today was the way I dealt with my children. I stayed calm, with no yelling, and explained things to my children, instead of demanding and saying "because Mommy said so" I explained why I needed them to do certain things or why they need to do it a certain way. The atmosphere of the home and the relationship with my kids was positive I am trying so hard to be the virtuous and Godly mother, wife, and friend that God has made me to be but we all fall. I tried very hard not to fail today.

Be careful little mouth what you say, do you remember singing that song in Sunday school or children's choir? I do and today's verse definitely made me think of this song. I also have to remember that when my children are in my car, or around me when I am on the phone I have to be careful what I say, because their little ears are always listening. Not that I am not being virtuous but that I am not even spoiling things with my kids, or saying things that need to be discussed in private with them in the car, my 6 year old definitely asks a lot of questions if she hears my end of the conversation. I also have to be careful about what I say about people or situations. I cannot tell my children to be polite and non-judgmental if I am being the same way on the phone. I cannot tell my children not to say words such as "stupid" or "shut up" when I say the same words when speaking with certain people. WOW how today's verse really opened my eyes to what I need to do.

Proverbs 31:26

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

 Wow Lord, you really showed me that being virtuous is being KIND! In all situations I need to be kind, in all areas I need to be kind, when I don't want to agree or when I want to yell at someone I need to be kind. When my kids get on my last nerve for yelling at each other, I still need to use kind words. Kindness displays virtue. I need to open my mouth with wisdom. God showed me with this part of the verse that perhaps I should not open my mouth unless I have wisdom to share, and the wisdom should come from GOD especially if it is a questions about things of God or situations I am helping people through. I have a hard time not having my point heard, even if I am wrong I want to tell you my point and why I am right and you are wrong. My hubs and I are the same way in that and causes a lot of clashes and head butting but I grew up in a family where you stand by what you believe and think and you don't let other tell you, you are wrong if you think you are right. I have those issues with my family some now, my views and beliefs have changed over the years and don't always line up with my family's. I am usually a lot more conservative than they are so we tend to clash and they always say things "you were not raised this way" or "When did your beliefs change?" I say this because I am my own person and my relationship with Jesus is different than what it used to be and the way I view life is different. All of that to say this; Use your mouth for wisdom and kindness, if you cannot say anything kind or wise when needed than don't say anything. If your words are going to tear someone down look yourself in the mirror and ask why you are saying the words you are saying and remember you aren't perfect either. The Lord has helped me to remember my children see everything I do, I cannot be a hypocrite. If I say don't do this, and then do it myself what kind of message is that. How can I say God does not go back on his word, when I do not display that in my house. I have to remember I am the first and last thing my children see daily, I must display Godliness and virtue in everything I do. 

~Samantha

PRAYER

Lord, help me to know I am not perfect and forgive people who have not been kind or wise with their words. Help me to be kind and wise in my words and that what I say is used as a way for people to grow and not as a way to hinder. I am not perfect Lord but I want to be virtuous, wise, and kind. I want to live for you and help to remember little eyes are seeing, little ears are listening, and little mouths sometimes repeat what mommy and daddy say. Help me and Hubs to remember that we are the example, and what we do and say speaks volumes to our children. We are their example of Godliness and virtue and help us to display that in everything we do and say. AMEN.

Dignity and Strength

Sorry such a delay.... I am sorry for the week delay of my blog. Well I have had trouble logging into the system. I don't know what was up. I am going to do 2 verses today verse 24 and 25. more on those later. A little update on my not so perfect self. WOW has God used so many opportunities this past week to show me areas where I am being virtuous and areas where I am not. God has laid it on my heart and has convicted me so much. I will be honest I am being open and honest on here, which I know a lot of people probably aren't open and honest about their lives and how God speaks to them and uses them. God showed me a lot over the last week and the last 4 days especially. It is spring break this week so I am off of work and G is home from school so I am home from work with G, H, and C all day. Don't get me wrong I love it, however I love working and teaching. Teaching is a gift God gave me and not only to teach my own children but to teach others with a kind heart and giving heart. I love the students I teach and will miss them as middle school awaits them next school year.

One way I was not virtuous this past weekend was when I was going to have a girls night with my friends, which I need like once a month. I have basically 2 good friends whom I enjoy hanging out with and I have known 1 for 10 years this fall and the other for 9 years this fall......My how time flies. I was not virtuous in the comments I made towards Hubs about me wanting to go and him having to take care of the girls, you see I felt like I was entitled to a girls night and he needed to suck it up and deal with having the kids by himself for hours, instead of asking him how he felt about it, I used his hobby that takes up a lot of free time, and turned it around and used it in a way that was degrading and disrespectful towards him. Not what I should have done. I should have mentioned me wanting the girls night in another way by saying "Hey I know your hobby takes up a lot of time, and its a sacrifice we make, but I would really like you to make this sacrifice for me and allow me to have a girls night." That would have been a better way to solve it. Hubs if your reading this, I AM SORRY! God has shown me that when I disagree with him, I still need to enrich his life and the way I approach disagreements and uncomfortable situations with him, will help me enrich him. I don't have to agree with him to enrich him, I just have to be virtuous in the words I say and my actions when having a disagreement to show him I am being a Godly woman, wife, and mother. I know that's all God wants for me and I know Hubs wants me to display Godliness to our girls and show them what that means.

I had to bite my tongue a few times yesterday to stay virtuous towards my children. I Love my girls with all my heart but sometimes when I am home all day and trying to get stuff done, I am just tired and want to scream and holler, but I cannot. I have to show them love even in discipline, I have to show them God's love in everything I do. I don't want to do laundry or cook dinner always but I do it because God has entrusted me to love and care for 3 beautiful girls whom he created special and to be an amazing part of our family. I just hope they understand how much I love them and how much God loves them. I never knew how much love my parents had for me until I became a mother, and I was worried the 2nd and 3rd time I became a mother about loving them the same, but trust me your love just grows and grows, its amazing. Our family of 5 is amazing and I wouldn't have it any other way, and being a Christ Centered family is my goal as we grow up as a family. I want my girl to look back in their teens and twenties and say, wow God really was the center of our home, and everything mom and dad did was so that we would grow up knowing about God, his standards for our lives, and demonstrate a Godly woman.

That was a LOOOONNNNG Update ;). Now onto the verses.

Dignity and Strength: We have talked about strength before but dignity now that's a new one for this set of verses. Are my actions Dignified? Are my actions because of weakness and fear or because of Strength and knowledge? Wow what powerful verses these are. Verse 24 is pretty straight forward about what a virtuous woman can do or does, she makes things and sells them at the market. Can a non virtuous woman do those things why yes, but who do you think will get more business or have more success? Will a woman who displays character traits of virtue be more successful or a woman who does not? A woman who is virtuous and those who can tell she is will be more successful in the business place and in the home, some woman the home is their business and more power to you full time moms and wives. Me my business is school and home. I have to juggle work and home, and I have to be virtuous and display that virtue even though I don't always want to. Don't get me wrong some days I am virtuous all day at work and then come home and I don't display the virtue like I need to but I have two full time jobs, teacher, and mother/wife. As a woman of virtue I need to have dignity as well and strength. I do not know what the future holds I just need to rely on God for the future.

Proverbs 31:24-25

She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. 

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

OK LORD I GET IT! I must show dignity and be dignified in my life, I must have strength and not worry about the future. I have to remind myself that the future is out of my control. My life is not mine to live, it is God's and his will for me and my life is what is best even if it doesn't feel that way and even when I do not feel like I will be able to handle it or the future my strength is always in God. Yes I can go to my husband when I am upset or someone else for prayer, but my ultimate strength is in seeking God in every situation even the unknown. I sought out God on Friday when I prayed hard and long for H's hearing test. I prayed that if God's will was for her tubes not to work and her needing hearing aides, that I would get the strength I needed from him. PRAISE the LORD her tubes worked and that is not the will of my sweet H and not for our family. I just need to remember that whatever the future holds I need to find my strength in him.

~Samantha

Prayer

Father, help me to be dignified in everything I do. Help me tofind strength in you even when I want to look to others for the strength only you can give, help me to be the woman of virtue you designed me to be and help my children to grow up to be those woman, and to let me be a model of what a Godly and virtuous woman looks like in their lives. AMEN.

Reputations

Reputations can be good and they can be bad, you can be known by a reputation you had in high school and it's 10 years later. You can be the person who looks past reputations and stereotypes and be a Godly person or you can just assume that the person is the same that they were at 15 as they are at 29. Definitely not the case although, some people don't ever grow up.
Who would have thought that the way I present myself reflects good or bad on my husband? What his reputation is among his friends, colleagues, and family reflects on me? What? So lets all face it we all ask silly, crazy, and illogical at times, so when someone sees me acting that way the reputation they have of my husband and our family is that it is the same. Wow I really need to watch what I do and say in public because it is representing my husband. He is representing me, and we are representing our family.

Proverbs 31:23

Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

WOW what kind of impression is my husband making in front of the elders. Is he representing his family in a Godly or worldly manner? Am I encouraging and enriching him enough to become that Godly man that God has called him to be. Are we being Christ centered parents or world centered families. Keeping up with the Jones' or not working about what the Jones' are doing. I want to be a wife that encourages and enriches my husband to the point that he wants to show the world his family. Help my husband to be truthful about the person he is, the mistakes he makes, and the Love he has for his family and for Jesus.

I know a short and not very insightful post tonight. Im tired and have a sick husband.

Prayer

Lord please help me to enrich and encourage my husband so that he can be presented and be TRUTHFUL about how he presents himself in front of the elders. Help him to understand that he represents himself. his wife, and his family in everything he does. Please help me to remember to present myself in a manner that is honoring to my husband, the lord, and my vows. In your name, AMEN.