Try these shoes on for size!

*Since I'm new to the blogging world, be patient with me as I figure out my layout and all the bells and whistles that go along with blogging. :) Thanks!*


Shoes. I LOVE shoes. Just thinking about them makes me smile. I’ve got my eye on these adorable brown wedges at Target that I am hoping to add to my collection very soon. Of course, my collection isn’t as big as I would like but maybe someday when I win the lottery it will be – but the likelihood of that is pretty slim considering I don’t even play the lottery – *sigh* oh well.

Anyway, a few weeks ago my sister-in-law Shannon and I decided to try on some shoes – but not just any shoes. I’m talking about the most amazing, beautiful, durable, unique and most valuable shoes ever! What shoes am I talking about?! The shoes of the Proverbs 31 Woman. This woman has it all together. Here’s a woman who brings her husband “good and not evil all the days of her life”; she gets up before the morning light; feeds her family; shows good judgment in her purchases; works vigorously; helps the poor; has time to make bed coverings for her household and garments for sale; has enough faith to laugh at the days to come; speaks with wisdom; has no use for idleness; and earns blessing and praise from her husband and children! Are you intimidated?! I sure am. I mean really, this woman is perfect! Below is how the scripture defines her in Proverbs 31:10-31:

(10) “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. (11) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. (12) She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (13) She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. (14) She is like the merchant’s ship; she bringeth her food from afar. (15) She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. (16) She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (17) She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. (18) She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. (19) She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. (20) She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (21) She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. (22) She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. (23) Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. (24) She maketh fine linen, and selleth it: and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. (25) Strength and honour are her clothing: and she shall rejoice in time to come. (26) She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (27) She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. (28) Her children arise up, and call her blessed: her husband also, and he praiseth her. (29) Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. (30) Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. (31) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Whoa! Let’s take a step back and see the big picture here. It says in Proverbs 31:30 “Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman who feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” According to this verse, a woman who “fears the Lord” – who seeks His will for her life as a wife, mother and follower of Jesus CAN be a Proverbs 31 Woman, no matter how a particular day or season of her life is going.

Now it’s your turn. Get your feet ready, because its time to try on these shoes. It doesn’t matter if your feet are beautifully fresh from the salon or have dry skin and cracked nailpolish (like mine) – anyone can try these shoes on you just have to make sure your heart is in the right place. Ask God what He wants to teach you or show you as you endeavor to become more like the Proverbs 31 Woman. Going through all these verses will take some time – and a good amount of patience and humility too – but my prayer for myself and all of you is that we will take this challenge seriously and be able to show God’s love to others and be a blessing in our daily lives.

Shannon and I have been trying one verse at a time so let’s start with verse 10 which reads “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” This woman is described as very valuable, there are not many like her. She is rare, uncommon, unusually excellent, unique, precious and matchless. Everyday she goes “far above” what is expected of her.

So lets try going “far above” during our usual daily list of things to do. What can you do that will make your husband, children or friends see that you are unusually excellent? I know we can all use some encouragement, so leave some comments or suggestions as to how you are doing with this challenge. Its been great having someone to do this challenge with because it is really helping me to stay on course with it and remember that I am being held accountable. Try putting this verse somewhere you will see it everyday to help you memorize it and put it into action. I’ll be checking in with you in about a week or so to see how you are doing.

Good Luck!!

It's Official...I'm a Blogger

Hello All!

So, yes...here I am...an official blogger. I’m hoping to include a bit of everything on here: updates on my family, decorating, craft projects, recipes, some random thoughts of mine and most importantly some challenges to both you and I to MAKE IT MATTER!! “Umm…make what matter?” – you are probably wondering. To make LIFE matter! It’s so easy to get caught up in life and routines that we forget to make the most of our everyday moments and opportunities to help and encourage others. God has put you where you are right this moment for a reason and we should make the most of it. Challenge yourself today to make a difference in the way you talk to your children, your spouse or your friends. Go out of your way to do something nice for someone today – even if it’s a stranger! Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you did…I LOVE the comments!

Below are the lyrics to “Make it Matter” by Natalie Grant. This song really speaks to me and its what I hope to convey to you throughout this blog.

"Make It Matter"

Pack my bags and my regrets
Every second that I've wasted
Chasing after
My pursuit of happiness
Has only left me searching
There must be more

[Chorus:]
Take my life and lift me up to the sky
Take my dreams and help me to fly
On the wings of possibility
Come rewrite my history
Till its only You I'm chasing after
Take this life and MAKE IT MATTER

Help me give more than I take
Let me see into somebody else's heartache
And be the difference love can make
My heart is finally finding
That there is more

Only one life to live
Only one love to give
Only one life, only one love
So make it, make it matter

I hope this blog can bring a smile to your face, make you laugh and encourage you. Be sure to “Follow Me”, and stay tuned….I’ve got some plans for this baby.

Love,

Julie