In 2010 I started blogging about Prov. 31 traits, and got through the first three - then Mr. S proposed that we marry, and that TOTALLY threw me for a loop! After finishing my posts about January's trait, I started wedding planning, and lost touch with reality for 9 months -- but, now I'm married, and my new husband is encouraging me to pick up where I left off.
Clearly he just wants me to stop making trips to the mall with registry gift cards in hand & a hungry look in my eyes.
But he's right, it IS time to regroup.
Here's what I wrote last OCTOBER (ohmygoodnesslastOctober):
"For the next 12 months, I'm going to focus on one of these character traits per month, and blog about it. The goal of course is to build trait upon trait, not to abandon one and adopt another each month. Each month I'll also read a book about that month's particular trait, just to reinforce my thought processes and to inspire me re: practical ways to incorporate the trait into my character & my life.
There are 17 points in the passage, but some are so similar that they are easy to combine into one principle, and that's what I'll do in 5 cases.
November: NOBLE & VIRTUOUS CHARACTER (SET A FIRM FOUNDATION!)
December: RELIABLE, RESPONSIBLE IN WORK; ORGANIZED, ENERGETIC, INDUSTRIOUS
January: RELIABLE, DEPENDABLE IN CHARACTER; JOYFUL, STRENGTH & HONOR ARE THEMES IN HER LIFE & SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO THE FUTURE WITH HOPE & JOY
February: PLANS AHEAD, HARD WORKER, AVERTS CRISES & STRESSFUL CRUNCHES WITH WISE PREPARATION
March: GOES THE EXTRA MILE FOR QUALITY & MEANINGFULNESS, NOT AFRAID OF PERSONAL SACRIFICE OR INCONVENIENCE
April: SETS THE PACE AT HOME AND AT WORK, MANAGES PEOPLE AND TIME RESPONSIBLY; HER EFFORTS AND INDUSTRIOUSNESS CONTRIBUTE TO AND/OR HELP TO MANAGE THE HOUSEHOLD FINANCES
May: LOGICAL, ANALYZES WISELY BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS, DEPENDABLY WISE; KNOWN AS A SOURCE OF SOUND ADVICE
June: TAKES PRIDE IN HER WORK & HER ROLE, RECOGNIZES HER VALUE, SELF-CONFIDENT; NOT A DOORMAT - SHE IS HONORED IN HER HOME, SHE AND HER FAMILY TEACH AND MODEL LOVE AND RESPECT BY EXAMPLE
July: WELL-READ, ABLE TO EXPRESS HERSELF INTELLIGENTLY, TACTFULLY & DIPLOMATICALLY; DEVELOPS SKILLS & TALENTS THROUGH EDUCATION & DILIGENT APPLICATION
August: CARES FOR OTHERS, SERVES THE POOR & NEEDY IN A TANGIBLE & MEANINGFUL WAY
September: HAS HIGH STANDARDS FOR HER PERSONAL APPEARANCE, CARRIES HERSELF WITH DIGNITY, GRACE, & FEMININITY
October: SUPPORTS HER MAN & MAKES IT EASY FOR HIM TO LIVE HONORABLY & FULFILL HIS DUTIES, MAKES HIM LOOK GOOD
The end notes to the passage really wrap things up nicely, and are just as meaningful as the points themselves. Graham observes:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." High praise for this extraordinary woman — a role model for women of all time.
"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Here is the key to this woman’s effectiveness. Her priorities are determined by God’s will, not her own. She is concerned about what God thinks, rather than with what other people think.
Physical beauty and clever conversation are admirable qualities. But if a woman’s beauty and charm are the extent of her virtues, what happens when time and the trials of life take their toll? This woman does not depend on beauty and charm for her success. She recognizes her need for God.
"Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." This woman is actively doing, not merely talking. She does not boast about her plans for the future or her successes of the past. They are obvious."
That was on October 18, 2010, written here. Then I blogged about November here, here , here and here, December here & here, and January here and here. And I wrote a list for dudes (taken from Paul's letters to Timothy) here.
What I'd like to do this year is to pick up where I left off. But this time, I want to get more organized. I've had some time to learn more about available resources and to pray about where God wants it to go. I may do some interviews, invite some people to guest-post about topics, I may even manage to recommend books to go along with each topic. But the main goal for me is going to be CONSISTENCY. I am too easily distracted (or as I call it, "otherwise inspired") and if nothing else comes of this Proverbs 31 project it will be enough for me if I can use it to develop focus & consistency in my walk with Christ & commitment to what He gives me to do. I also want to exercise BREVITY - not every thought or insight needs to be posted on this blog - just enough to get you and I thinking & praying about who the Bible says we are & how God says we can become like Him.
I still challenge you to do this with me, and I ask you to weigh in, to comment & share with your friends who can correct me or fill in gaps or maybe benefit from the exploration of this topic!
During January I'll be structuring this study to fit a more clear and concise plan - almost like chapters in a book. In February, I'll kick off with posts about February's character trait. Our Proverbs 31 gal "PLANS AHEAD, is a HARD WORKER, AVERTS CRISES & STRESSFUL CRUNCHES WITH WISE PREPARATION."
And because I know you want to see photos... :) here's one of our engagement shots.
And just a couple of wedding pics...
Love love,
Huge congrats, and I'm happy to see you blogging again. I am totally with you on the consistency thing (I have been MISERABLY inconsistent), and getting "otherwise inspired." I started doing my 21-day yoga challenge and have been blogging about it (http://lawschooltransplant.com/2011/12/14/21-days-of-yoga-day-1/), but have been derailed for the last couple days with a sinus infection. Hoping to pick it back up this evening. I find that sometimes I have to schedule time to write/blog, and I grumble about making myself do it, but once it's done, I'm pretty proud of the results. I hope you'll keep it up - I enjoy reading what you write. Perhaps we can help keep one another accountable. :)
Posted by: Erin | Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 01:32 PM