New year, new you. This is a slogan we hear so often around this time of year, but do you really want a new you??
I most certainly do not want a new me. I don't want to have to start over and learn the lessons that have taken me years to finally understand. I do not want to wipe the slate clean on my life thus far a start fresh. I like the scars I have from the storms I've been through. A better me? Now that's what I want to work on.
Each year we start of with goals that quickly fade because we stop doing the work that it takes to get to the final destination. At the close of this year I want to share my spiritual goals with you and invite you to join in with making similar ones. These aren't my only spiritual goals but I thought they would help someone else know where to start.
The overall goal is to always grow closer to God. But what steps do we take to achieve this goal? One valid step would be to look at the examples He gave us through His inspired word and take from that the way we should be leading our daily lives.
This year I'm looking in Proverbs 31 for my inspiration. I know, I know, go big or go home. But seriously shouldn't we all as women be striving to be like the 'worthy woman'. I know I sure hope to be at least somewhat like this woman described when I reach Heaven's gates.
So let's read what He has to say about this kind of woman.
"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight.
She is like merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.
She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it.
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
She senses that her gain is good.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and her hands grasp the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor and stretches out her to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for herself, her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Strength and dignity are her clothing
And she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and bless her, her husband also and he praises er saying, "Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all." Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:10-31
Now, you might be thinking why in the world is it typed out so funny, but I actually did that on purpose. I want each of us to be able to find the different qualities of this woman so we can choose one or two to work on this year.
I find the first quality I want to work on this year in verse 18, "Her lamp does not go out at night." To me this is saying she has planned ahead and if she needs to fire up the lamp during the night because one of the kids is sick then she will be able to because she has enough oil on hand just in case. She doesn't just have the bare minimum, she has a little bit extra just in case so that her family won't be without.
This has always been a struggle for me. We live paycheck to paycheck and sometimes to a few days before paycheck. God has always provide what we've needed so I haven't ever really cared about this fact, but while I was reading this over I thought, you know I should have some oil left just in case something happens. Now does that mean I'm going to stop giving to people, absolutely not but it means I'm going to cut something out and watch my own spending habits to make sure that I can have a little oil tucked away.
The second trait I want to focus on this year is in verse 26, "she opens her mouth in wisdom." In the NIV it continues, "and faithful instruction is on her tongue." I want to make sure that what I'm telling others when giving advice or raising my children in general is faithful. Am I following God's plan for us? Am I telling them what God would want me to say? Am I living Him out through my words? I want to make sure that I can match up the words that I'm saying with the faithful instruction He has given us in the Bible.
When reading the passage but the virtuous woman it seems overwhelming. We think there's no way I could ever be half of what this woman is. But if we look at it in chunks and narrow in on specific qualities we actually have a chance at improving ourselves to be more like her.
Read the passage again and think truthfully with yourself on what areas you are already good at. That doesn't mean you've perfected that quality but you can tell that trait is in you. Then find the traits that you think you could use some help with. Choose one or two of these traits that you need to work on and write them down as your goal for this next year. Focus on these two traits in the next year and becoming that woman over our lifetime won't be so daunting.
Let's work on this together. If you need help thinking of actual steps to reach your goal let me know and I can help you think of some practical ways of becoming better at these specific traits.
God bless you and keep you in this new year.
Ashley
