The Beginning of My Journey

Well...  Here goes nothing.  Day One of a journey with an unknown ending.  I have to admit that I am a bit intimidated by this new venture I am taking on.  Anyone that knows me knows that I always have great intentions to begin with, but I'm not the best at following through.  So, here's to a new beginning, and (hopefully!) a new me!

I suppose I should tell you a little about myself to start.  I'm Trish, a daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother and Christian in my late twenties (who is not quite sure how she feels about placing the word "late" in that sentence.)  I'm not anywhere near perfect, as I'm sure you will see in the following weeks/months as I share my journey with you.  I'm striving daily to be the best I can be and to praise the Lord through it all with my words AND actions.  I love to cook, read, craft, and decorate, but I am also good at being stubborn, frustrated, annoyed, and somewhat-lazy.  Hence, my new journey.

As I'm sure many of you know, there is a small 21-verse section of the Bible that describes the perfect woman in God's eyes.  And I'm sure that you also know of about a gazillion blogs and books dedicated to this 21-verse section.  My hope is that this one may be different from the other gazillion things you have read.  That little-ole-me can somehow make an impact based on the things I am learning.  I have had a tiny dream in my heart since I was in high school that I have never shared with anyone.  I promise...  No one, my family included, knows about this dream even as I am typing it right now.  In fact, I bet my husband learns this new fact about me right as he is reading this.  (Hi, Honey!)  I love to write.  I have probably started eight-ten books since high school in college-ruled notebooks that are now in a landfill somewhere because I begin them and get frustrated, tossing them into the trash.  Such a waste of paper, I know.  But now there is this wonderful thing called the internet that allows me to just type and the words appear for you lovely people to read without wasting one tiny smidge of paper (besides the post-its that my notes are on.)  So I decided it's time to see if I can actually make this dream a reality.  I'm not looking to be published.  Or to even be talked about.  I'm just looking to make an impact, even if only on one person.  To know that I mattered somehow.  Because, as I'm sure most of you know, there is always this little ping in our hearts that makes us feel like no matter how much we run ourselves ragged, and no matter how much time we spend trying to be "perfect," we just will never make a difference.  The awesome thing about God is that I KNOW I will make a difference.  It just may not always be in the way I think I'm going to.  But when He puts something in your heart, it's there for a reason.  So, I'll embrace it and see what happens!

I didn't sleep more than an hour last night.  I was in bed longer than that, but just couldn't sleep.  After a two-week sermon series at my church on Biblical Femininity, I have had more tiny pings enter my heart.  So, last night all I did was think.  And pray.  And think more.  Then all morning, I thought.  Then decided that if I ever want to sleep again, I should probably start doing everything I am thinking about.  And so it begins!

First off, what is all this Proverbs 31 stuff about?  Well, the best way to explain it is to let you read it yourself!  I'm an English Standard girl, but for some reason, The Message version of this passage really sticks out to me.  So, here's some reading for you for today!

10-31  A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.  Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.  Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.  She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.  She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.  She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.  She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.  First thing in the morning, she dresses for her work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.  She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.  She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.  She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.  She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.  She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.  Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.  She designs gowns and sells them, brings sweaters she knits to the dress shops.  Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.  When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.  She keeps an eye on her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.  Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise; "Many women have done wonderful things, bu you've outclassed them all!"  Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.  The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.  Give her everything she deserves!  Festoon her life with praises!

Whew! That is a doozy of a list, right?!  See what I mean when I say I am very intimidated by the journey ahead of me?  I know that I will never be perfect, but we are called to strive to be the best we can be in God's eyes, and not our own.  So, it's time to see where I'm going.

My hope is to tackle a verse/sentence a week of this list by studying them in my daily quiet times and putting them into practice throughout the week, then see where it goes from there.  I appreciate prayers from anyone who is interested in following this journey as I share (openly, might I add,) the things that I learn and the struggles I encounter.  If you'd like to study along with me and let me know how your journey goes as well, feel free!  For those that choose to do so, my first week of study will involve the first point: "A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds." and continue in that fashion.

I can't wait to fill you in on how this week goes on Sunday (the day I will regularly post.)

Blessings,
Trish