Being a Proverbs 31 Woman

I have read Proverbs 31 many times before, and it sounds like an impossible feat to be that type of woman.   I could never live up to that.  It seemed like a daunting task.  How could I be this perfect woman? How in the world are we supposed to be everything to everyone?

“The Proverbs 31 Woman…isn’t so much a lesson on getting up early, sewing clothes, buying a field, or achieving perfection.  The heart of the matter is that she was dedicated to walking in virtue…My guess is, she wasn’t perfect—none of us are.  But she was ready and willing to be perfected by God.” – Darlene Schacht

After reading Darlene Schact’s take on the Proverbs 31 woman, suddenly, I was looking at the verse in a different aspect.  I am the Proverbs 31 woman.  Those of us that are ready and willing to be perfected by God and having Him lead in our lives, are Proverbs 31 women.  It is not a destination.  It is a journey.

This month we are praying that God will make us Proverbs 31 women.  We cannot change anyone else. We can’t even change ourselves, really.  So, as we pray that God will make us into the women He wants us to be, while remembering that it is a lifelong journey.

 “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25

This month has already started out for me with the devil trying its best to turn my eyes away from God.  Those virtues that God wants us to have, has been tested. Then I read the verse 25 and I can laugh without fear for the future.  God is still in control, if I allow him.  I then make the adjustments where necessary.

As a single woman, I look at Proverbs 31, and could easily say that it is not for me.  I don’t have children, or a husband.   Yet, I have family, and friends who need me to be a Godly woman.  My view as a single woman, is worded so well by a lady named Janette Ikz. 

“…You will know me and you will find me where the boldness of Esther meets the warm, closeness of Ruth.  Where the hospitality of Lydia is in line with the submission of Mary, which is engulfing the tears and praying of Hannah. I will be the one drenched in Proverbs 31 waiting for you.” Janette Ikz

I happened on a YouTube video where she was talking about waiting for her husband.  Then in the middle of the poem that she spoke was the above section.  I like the line about being drenched in Proverbs 31.  She goes on in that same poem, “…and I pray that I am always found on a mission about my Father’s business.”

So, whether single, or married, we need to be our Father’s business.  That is what Proverbs 31 means to me.  It isn’t an impossible dream.  It is living life for God and with God.  This month and every month, we must live our lives this way.

Dear Lord,

Lord, I want to be drenched in Proverbs 31 and always found on mission about Your business.

Laura Maxson

After putting God first, then what?...

I like to be in control, I like things to be perfect.

When I say that, I'm not talking about being in control as in charge, being the boss, telling other what to do. That is really the last thing I want to do. I'm talking about in my life, what I do, situations I'm involved in.

In January, Control was the word God has ordained for me to be the theme of my year with Him: The fact that I struggle with it and He wants it.  2 Corinthians 5:14, 15 "14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."

So, my plan was to put God first in this area of my life. And my idea of what would happen after putting God first was very different then what has happened.

My expectation seemed logical to me.
- If I put God first...
- Then I would be much more capable to figuring out what else He wanted me to fill my life with.

That's just it. I was expecting to be more capable to figuring out what He wanted me to fill my life with.

These past few weeks He has allowed me to go through some experiences to reminded me I am not in control and I am not perfect.

Before figuring out what He wants in my life, I need to give it all to  Him. Not just certain parts of it, not 99.9% of it, but ALL of it.

After putting God first, then what? It's putting Him first, last, through out. It's making Him my everything and taking me out of the equation.


So.... Patient Gracious Lord, Here it is.

My Declaration of Imperfection & Freedom from Control

I’m not perfect.

I will never be.

Jesus makes me whole, complete, controls me. Not to be perfect & so I won’t make mistakes. But to Love. He loves me & my imperfections & who I am even though I make mistakes.

I choose not to blame my parents, or the way I was raised, or the path of anxiety and stress I chose in the past. TODAY and from now on,

                        I CHOOSE TO LOVE JESUS.

He will help me process my imperfections not to make me perfect, but to Love me. Always Love me.

I will allow Jesus and others to help me by:

*Giving myself permission not to complete something (what I would say was) 100%.

*Giving myself permission to not continue or complete something if I am interrupted.

*Occasionally, intentionally, be OK with doing things imperfectly, and not obsess or stress over it.

*Allowing others to help me, even if I know it will not be done the way I would do it.

*Celebrating these small successes.

*Find & enjoy a God dreamed hobby.

*Take time for myself.

*Exercising.

*Celebrating my mistakes. Acknowledge when I make mistake, and celebrate that I am not perfect and I am not in control.

God loves me & does not ask or expect me to be perfect. He asks to me love Him, those around me……& myself.

Lord, Thank You for Your Perfection, for Freedom from control, because You are in Control. Thank You for allowing this hard, stretching, painful growth to draw me closer to You. 

~Kartini Maxson

Fruit of the Spirit

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (God-control).

How many of you feel lacking sometimes in the area of the fruit of the spirit?  I know that there is often time that I don’t have patience, I want it right now.  I pray for the Lord to help me be patient.  However, is that enough?  Sometimes, are we afraid of letting God have complete control of our lives? 

It isn’t enough to pray that we be filled.  We can pray all we want, but we have to do one more step.  We have to be willing and open for God to give us the fruit of the spirit.   That is the more difficult part.  It means giving up control.

I don’t know about you, but I often find it hard to give up control. I don’t like the word SELF control.  Did you know that a synonym for self-control is restraint?  I need restraint from trying to control everything.  So, if I give control over to God, and honestly let him have the control, then I am God-control.  I like that a lot better.

Let’s pray that we allow God to have the control so He can bestow on us the fruit of the spirit.

Contributed by LM