A bit of encouragment

  Proverbs 31 has always occupied a spot in my heart as one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.  Something about the woman who occupies the space in those scriptures captivates me.  She is a woman who somehow does it all.  She wears hats of all sizes and shapes as she runs a household, business and still manages so many other things. 

There are so many theories on whether she was a real woman (possibly Solomon’s mom, Bathsheba) or if she is just a compilation of some pretty great characteristics of a Godly woman.  Whether of not take on her you take, those characteristics mentioned in that chapter are life changing and encouraging, because no matter who you are: single, married, mom, grandma, aunt… . . You are a woman of God and worthy of being praised.  Your worth is more than rubies.  You have value even though you are tired and weary (I sure am tired!)

On Mondays, I find myself at a nearby Starbucks sipping my favorite Brown Sugar Shaken Oat milk Espresso drink and taking time to work on my Bible Study and some writing  before heading out to do some grocery shopping.  It is a way to start my week slow and set it up focused on God.  It is away from the laundry and endless to-do list.  It has become a sweet time. My calendar for the next month or so is a bit overwhelming and quite honestly this season in my life has me on my toes.  We have some big things coming up soon and I am seriously wondering how God is going to pull them off. My list of ways God has blown my mind over the years is incredible.  But the thing I keep coming back to as I wait on God to do his thing is the following verse from that same passage:

“She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25

Living without fear of the future is waking up each morning armed with a battle of the mind.  It is saying my trust in God is greater than my fears and anxieties (hard, I know!).  It is recognizing that our Savior is our source of Peace and saying no to all the "what ifs" that sneak in and send our hearts beating quicker.

This is my verse for the year.  It is my prayer.  I want to be a woman who laughs at the future, not because I am ill prepared, but because I am trusting in my Heavenly Father to open the doors and answer our prayers.  And in my experience, when I release my fears and anxieties to him, he answers in abundance.  I will be obedient and take the steps that might be the answer (but also might not be either), but I will wait on him.  I will trust him even when every door seems to slam in my face. . . I know God’s got it because he hasn’t failed us yet .

Maybe you’re tired and running on empty, I just want to encourage you today that the God of the Bible is a God that renews and refreshes your heart.  He is a God that loves and cares for his children.  He is ours source of strength and joy.  He wants the best for us and when we submit to Him and His plan, I promise you, he will blow your mind, too!