christian lifestyle Archives -

January 15, 2021January 14, 2021

Proverbs 31: A Virtuous Woman – A Beautiful Heart.

I can’t believe these are my last two verses of my Proverbs 31 reading journey. I have learned so much from these verses about a virtuous woman. I pray my notes have been as helpful to you in growing your relationship with the Lord, as it has been helpful to me.

I wish I could say I have instantly become a virtuous woman, but it is a journey. Everyday just trying to love Jesus and my family more.

So let’s discuss the last two verses – Is your heart beautiful?

Since having a baby, I know for sure the woman’s body changes. Not in a bad way, but things never completely go back to the pre-baby body. I even started getting my first gray hairs when I was first married around the age of twenty-five. Oh how soon, we as women learn that “beauty” does not last.

I believe God made men and women different. There is something special and beautiful about a woman’s body. I read an interesting book that argued how women are the “crown of creation.” Other than the Sabbath rest day, we are the last thing that God created.

That should make us a feel a little special. 😉

As women, I feel we are all beautiful in our own different and unique ways. Some of us have luxurious hair, or gorgeous skin. Some of us have a perfect smile or dreamy eyes.

One thing I notice, as women, we often forget we only look “perfectly beautiful” maybe ten percent of the time.

Most of us especially as mothers, we have pulled back hair, with baby hairs growing back ( postpartum hair loss is no joke), we have no makeup on, we most likely have sweatpants on with a food stains somewhere on us.

While I am blessed to have a husband who would still tell me I look beautiful, I know that is not the word I would choose.

I am reminded of the Bible story when Samuel is going to choose King David to be king of Israel.

Based off appearance, David was not Samuel’s first pick. But God said –

So let me ask – Is your heart beautiful?

Most people are remembered for their beautiful character and heart, instead of just their beautiful face.

True beauty is a pure heart, a clean tongue, serving hands, a kind spirit, and a love for others above yourself.

So as a virtuous woman, on the days you are wearing sweatpants, know that your lasting beauty comes from the Lord. While its okay to dab on some concealer and coat your lashes with mascara – The beauty the Lord provides you with is a beautiful heart.

I also really like the KJV version – “Give her the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

It says let her “deeds” publicly praise her, not let her words or other people praise her.

Are we living as virtuous women for verbal praise?

I know sadly, sometimes I do. As a mom, sometimes I selfishly want to hear – “Good job!” “You’re amazing!” “I don’t know how you do it!.”

A virtuous woman instead of waiting for her own praise, should be praising the Lord. We should daily be praising – “I praise you Lord for giving me my children.” “Thank you Lord for my husband’s job. “ “What a blessing this meal is.”

Let my works praise the Lord and not myself.

I hope as a virtuous woman my deeds declare:

She loved her children.

She cherished her marriage.

She served her church.

She was an encouragement to others.

She showed Jesus through her words and her actions.

So remember :

Is your heart beautiful?

May 17, 2019May 17, 2019

Proverbs 31- A Virtuous Name – Smile – God Saw!!

Once again, I am trying to be happily unaccomplished. If you haven’t read my latest post about the Proverbs 31 woman, check it out here!

I had planned for this post to go up much much much sooner, but as we discussed… I am happily unaccomplished.

So now I am so excited to share with you more from my Bible study about the Proverbs 31 woman!

I hope and pray that your heart gets the same blessing that mine did. Just from pondering a few verses about the Proverbs 31 Woman.

Proverbs 31: 23 – “Her husband is known in the gates; when he sits among the elders of the land.”

Do you leave a good name for your husband? Does your husband leave a good name for you?

Isn’t it amazing how my character is not only a reflection of me, but of my husband as well.

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.”

When my husband and I became married, we became one. Not only am I a character reflection of my husband but I am a character reflection of Christ.

Take a moment and take some time to think, to reflect on your character…

How am I seen through my husbands eyes? What do his friends think of me? What does my community think of me? Am I a reflection of Christ?

Proverbs 31: 24 – “She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.”

So to review what all this woman ALREADY does:

-seeks wool and flax

-brings food from a far

-provides food for the household

-considers a field and buys it

-stretches hands to distaff and holds spindle

-extends hand to poor and needy

-makes tapestry for herself

-AND NOW makes linen and sells it.

She is a woman of many talents…. But aren’t we all when we stop and think about it.

Think about even the small things we get done during the week.

-Dresses kids… or husband in my case 😉

-Grocery shopping

-Cooks multiple meals a day

-Works a full/part time job. (Being a mom is a full time job just on its own.)

-Cleans the house

-Helps a friend whether through action or just listening

-Does something for herself whether that’s a hobby or just trying to get 5 minutes alone. 😉

The blessing in all this is the Lord sees all your labor! Even when no one else does.

So my note to myself this week, is to remember that even my small and most repetitive tasks are important and can be done with a cheerful heart.

And when no one sees my work, or thanks me. God knows…and He saw.

Leave a good name!

Make some linen,

Or whatever your task at hand might be 😉

Smile… God saw!!!

Happy Friyay!

~Gracefully Fashionable Britt

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

A Virtuous Woman – Being Happily Unaccomplished.

I wonder if the Proverbs 31 woman had as much of a hassle with her schedule? Did she ever feel like she is chasing a never ending list? Or that she considered herself a failure when she didn’t get everything on her list done.

I slightly feel that way while writing this. This was suppose to be uploaded 2 weeks ago… but life happens – sickness, business, work, church, family. Even my daily devotions have been put on the back burner. Did the Proverbs 31 woman struggle like this?

I can not say for certain, but I imagine so. I remember the story of Martha and Mary when Jesus came to their house.

Mary sat down by the Lord and listened to Him. But Martha, was me. I am the girl running around the house before anyone visits, marking my check list, trying to accomplish everything in one day.

Martha finally asked Jesus. I imagine she said this with her hands being tossed in the air while she asked: “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone. Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40).

I feel that Martha was waiting for some “oh Martha, you have done so much, the house is spotless, the food smells delicious…”

But instead the Lord said, “Martha Martha…”

Imagine your name… “Brittany, Brittany…

“Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 41-42

Instead of cleaning, Mary chose to spend time with the Lord. Instead of cooking an elaborate meal, she chose time to spend with the Lord. Instead of checking a list, she chose time to spend with the Lord.

I want to be like Mary. The greatest thing I can do every day is to spend time with the Lord. As long as I accomplish that, everything seems to fall into place. I am then more encouraged to use my time and talents as gifts from God.

I encourage you, write this verse down. I did and kept it on an index card in my room all through college. Or write it in your planner as a reminder every day.

I initially planned to just write a short introduction and continue on with Proverbs 31: 23-24… But my heart now feels content.

I needed this and I hope you did too. I did not get done my initial idea, my schedule will now be a little off, I spent more time than planned writing this post….

But that’s okay.

“Brittany, Brittany has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

What will you chose?

~Gracefully Fashionable Britt

March 1, 2019March 1, 2019

Proverbs 31 – A Virtuous Caregiver for the Needy… and Herself.

I can’t believe how much I have already learned about this Proverbs 31 woman. She has a virtuous work ethic. She is a virtuous wife, mom, shopper, planner, and early riser with eager hands. All of that from just 9 verses.

Taking time to read these verses and write about these verses has helped me grow in Christ.

So how much more can this virtuous woman accomplish. Oh so much when she puts her heart, mind, and hands to the love of Christ.

Verse 20 – “She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

How often we are so self-focused making sure our own day is going to be okay. We often miss so many opportunities to serve and to be kind. We often say we are “searching” for opportunities to serve…. but when we just slow down, we can find opportunities all around.

I saw a sweet old man the other day at Meijer. He dropped a box he was picking up. I could see him struggling to reach it. It warmed my heart knowing I could easily help him. That same day, I saw another older gentleman lose his car. Me and two other people offered to help him find it.

Who knew that such small actions could be some of our best witnessing for the Lord!

Proverbs 31: 21 – “She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.”

“Not afraid of snow.” Ha! I’m terrified of snow. I am a southern girl living in a midwest world. I don’t drive unless it’s an inch or less. 😉

The color scarlet is a brilliant red. While reading about it, I learned it often is a color of warmth and comfort. Benson Commentary says, “She has provided enough, not only for their necessity, and defense against the cold and other inconveniences but also for their delight and ornament.”

She puts thoughts of kindness into her deeds. She provides necessity and beyond!

Proverbs 31:22 – “She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.”

Tapestry is like a thick textile fabric. It often has pictures or designs on it. This is used for wall hangings or furniture. The verse also says, “She makes.” Is there anything this woman can’t do. 😉

“Her clothing is fine linen and purple.” She takes care of her own needs too!! Needs are not just food, water, and shelter. Women of Christ need to be: spiritually fed with Bible reading and prayer. Physically fed with sleep, exercise, and bubble baths in peace. 😉 . Mentally fed with loyal spouses and friends to uplift you.

Never forget that sometimes the best way to help others needs is to help your own needs first. Christ himself spent personal time with the Lord, instead of preaching and healing. Christ himself enjoyed time with just His disciples, instead of trying to physically help everyone.

The Lord loves you beyond measure…so love yourself.

Slow down.

Extend your hand!

Don’t fear snow. 😉

Be thoughtfully kind.

Wear some purple!

Jesus love you oh virtuous wife!

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019

Proverbs 31 ~ A Virtuous Wife

I’ve always felt passionate about Proverbs 31. As a woman who takes her faith seriously, this is “goals” for wifehood. Something that I believed the Lord has laid on my heart, is for me to study Proverbs 31… and to share my notes, thoughts, and rants with you.

I think one big long post about this section would be way to long for even me to read. I hope to spend a blog post just discussing a few verses to think about everyday.

I hope that through this experience of reading and writing, we can grow more as a woman, a wife, and a believer in Christ.

So Proverbs 31 – The virtuous wife.

Before we even begin to read, I had to look up what virtuous even really meant. The ESV version uses the word “excellent.” Good ol’ google uses “having or showing high moral standards.”

But what does that really mean? I’m more of a one-word definition type of girl. Some synonyms are: righteous, good, pure, “whiter than white.”

Let’s pause for a moment… “whiter than white”…this synonym made me pause and squint real hard to make sure I was reading it correctly. Because if it literally means “whiter than white” I am truly virtuous. ;). Any other pale skin girls? The type of pale the sun literally reflects off your legs and your need sunglasses so you don’t blind yourself? ; )

Unfortunately just based off our skin tone does not qualify us as virtuous. When I think of “whiter than white” I think of pure, holy, kind, and loving. A woman that reflects Christ in every aspect of her daily life.

Now that we know what a virtuous wife is, let’s read what she is like.

Verse 10 says, “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.”

A woman who loves Jesus is worth more than any jewel. We may not feel like it or look like it all the time, but remember what our worth is found in.

Verse 11 – “The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.”

My husband is my best friend. I can’t imagine if he wasn’t. We still use phrases like “PINKY PROMISE,” even though we both trust each other. My husband trusts me so much that he can tell me where my Christmas presents are and I will not go look. I am tempted to look. ;). When tempted, I just remember how happy he will be when he sees how surprised I am.

“He will have no lack of gain.” Once again, I am puzzled, what does that even mean? Different translations add some more insight:

NIV – Lacks nothing of value.

NLT – She will greatly enrich his life.

CSB – He will not lack anything good.

CEV – She never lets him down.

What does it mean to not lack value or anything good? As a wife it may be caring for the physical needs, I tend to think this has to do more with a spiritual need.

As a wife, I feel I need to be a source of confidence for my husband. To give him hope when he needs it. To encourage him and to show I believe in him. I am learning, men need this more and more every day.

“I love you.” “You did great!” “I appreciate you helping me.” “Thank you!”

I notice when my husband hears these sayings more and more, his confidence grows and he believes more in himself. He feels purpose and love in our home.

Galatians 5 talks about the Fruits of the Spirit. The Fruits of the Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

I hope to work more on providing these fruits to me and my husband everyday.

Verse 12: “She does him good and not evil. All the days of her life.”

All is a big word. Thankfully we constantly receive grace from God. We are not perfect. But how much different would our day be if we realized honoring and reflecting Christ is the goal for the day. Going to work, doing chores, and running errands are just opportunities to reflect, share, and grow in Jesus.

Let’s work on loving Jesus and being a reflection of Jesus to our husbands every day, ALL day.

Jesus loves you oh virtuous wife.