The Virtuous Woman Challenge

So, I know that Easter is only a few days away and many people are focusing on that, but for whatever reason, God has laid something else on my heart as well and I have a challenge for my readers.
God has challenged me to take a few moments from my busy day every day for the next 25 days (between now and Mother's Day) and read Proverbs 31. Now for those of you who know me, you may find that a little amusing because I am of the firm opinion that June Cleaver was a fairy tale and that there is no such thing as a clean house all the time when you have three children, a husband who works two jobs and your own in home business. I will clean the house when it's empty. Right now, I am enjoying my children, my husband and my business. I also have a hard time taking time away from those things for anything else. I haven't written a blog since before Christmas. I have been pretty lax on Facebook and don't even think about emailing me because I will either not ever read it or I will delete it with the other 871 unread messages that seem to accumulate on there in the blink of an eye. Even now as I am typing there is a very small, very angry person attempting to stab me in the leg with a pink fairy wand because I won't let her type on the computer. Such is the life of a Mommy!!!
Anyway, today I read my chapter and of course, got stuck on verse 13. "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands." Today I have an Easter dress to finish. Tonight I have another Easter dress to finish. My day is consumed with trying to do these tasks that I have set for myself and I wonder, "will I get everything done?" "Will my customers be happy?" "Will they tell their friends and place more orders so I can be even busier and will never again allow my dining room table to see the light of day or another meal?" Of course, all these questions are very self centered. As I read I thought, "Oh, that's me! I'm a virtuous woman because I sew!" I also get up while it's still dark to prepare my children for school and my husband for his busy day. I also trek myself to Sam's and WalMart on a regular basis. I know my merchandise is good and I stay up really late. BUT do these things make me virtuous? What makes a woman virtuous? I don't think it is these things. I think these things are my daily responsibilities as a wife and mother but they don't make me virtuous. Through the next 25 days I will be searching for what it means to be virtuous, what is a virtuous woman, is it possible to be a virtuous woman in this modern day and age, do you have to stay home to be this paragon of virtuosity? Or maybe is the KEY to being a virtuous woman not to be the right "wife" or "mommy" but to be the right "DAUGHTER"? Hmmmmm..........

I would like to challenge each of my readers and followers, take this challenge with me. Spend a few moments each day reading Proverbs 31, read what I have learned and comment/share what you have learned yourself. Who knows? God could use us to start a great awakening in women everywhere to commit our hearts and selves to His purpose and His plan.
Are you up for the challenge?

I'll make it even easier.......

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wookk, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

There, now you have no excuse NOT to read it!! Maybe I'll post some paraphrases too.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE WITH ME!!!! And don't skip this because you are unmarried or divorced. Being a virtuous woman doesn't always mean "wife" or "mother", it's just what I am. God made each of us different and put us in different circumstances, but we are all daughters of the King! Let's be the daughters He intends us to be!