Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Let Me Help You Pick Out Your Clothes

Word Filled Wednesday: Proverbs 31:25 "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."


So we press on into week 17 of our study of the Proverbs 31 woman! We've watched her be a jewel to her husband, children, servants and even the poor. We've watched her rise early, stay up late, plant a vineyard, sew her own clothes, her family's clothing, the tapestries and beddings! And the cherry on top of all of this woman's work is excellence!


This week we add a couple new character traits:
1. Strength
2. Dignity
3. Laughing at the days to come


When I look at these three qualities I have only one thing to say. This is a confidant woman. She is strong, she is dignified, and she is not fearful of her future.


Do you struggle with fear - maybe of being rejected, failure, saying something stupid, not being good enough, pretty enough, organized enough, or just plain enough.


I do.


In the beginning of blogging, I took every comment personally - especially the negative ones. I'm over it now! (but please be nice anyway lol!). I worry about my parenting - am I doing it right? I have moments where I think, if someone rang my doorbell right now, they'd be shocked at the messy condition they'd find my house in! I wonder, Am I good enough to write on Women Living Well?


Let me be really honest here. A few weeks back in my ladies Bible study I mentioned one of my "insecurities" and it was in regard to Women Living Well. I shared with the girls my fear of being "exposed". Not that I have skeleton's in the closet to hide but rather that I have failed on my blog to share my flaws. I share my "schedules" without sharing how I struggle to keep on them. I share what I've learned in marriage, without sharing some of the dark places we have come through to arrive in this place. And I rarely share about parenting because I just know one of my kids will surely embarrass me! Lol!


What's beautiful about the Proverbs 31 woman is she is human, flawed, but not exposed - she is clothed - she is clothed in strength and dignity. I pray when you see me, this very weak woman, you will see God's strength and dignity clothing my weaknesses.


When I take my eyes off of myself and put them on my amazing God - my fears flip to confidence. And he gives me the confidence to say to you my sister in Christ, you can be strong. Do not live in your fears. Do not wring your hands and lose sleep over today's troubles. Clothe yourself in God's strength. Be confident.


He who laid the earths foundations, marked off its dimensions, placed the stars in the sky, gives dawn its orders, keeps the storehouses of snow, and tells the lightening to disperse, loves you flaws and all. (taken from Job 38) And he has clothed you in his strength. Do not exchange your clothes for the rags this world offers! Because dear sister in Christ - those clothes you are wearing today are radiant!


Walk with the King!

I am participating in Seven Clown Circus Wordful Wednesday and 5 Minutes for Mom Wordless Wednesday.

28 comments:

  1. Thank you so very much for such an encouraging message. Just what I needed to hear.
    God bless you,
    Lisa :o)

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  2. That was just the message I needed today! And that picture is priceless. :)

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  3. What a great way to start the day today! Just what I needed to hear this morning! Be blessed Courtney!!

    Serving with Joy,
    Sonya

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  4. You will always to beautiful to your maker, and you will always be beautiful as you are clothed in His righteousness.
    Another beauty is that of the garment of praise......
    No need for us to be unclothed.

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  5. I love that verse. There's something about dignity and laughter...
    Ginger

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  6. Praise God!!!

    Great word, loved this one~

    Have a great week and "Happy Mother's Day!"

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  7. I NEEDED to hear this today. I am a new follower and am so excited to keep reading! Thank you so, so very much!

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  8. Thank you for today's encouragement!

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  9. That was great Courtney, thank you for the encouragement to keep it real. It is in our weakness that God's grace is magnified and He is glorified!

    ~Erin

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  10. Do I struggle with fear? You betcha. I've been working all morning to put on strength. It's not always easy, is it?

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  11. So glad I stumbled across your blog from Wordless Wednesday...so inspiration! I'm a new fan & follower. Thanks!

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  12. Such a passionate and inspiring message Courtney!

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  13. This was very encouraging for me too. Thanks for being honest about some of your fears and insecurities. You may get negative comments every now and then, but I think as you expose bits and pieces of your humanity your readers will really appreciate and respect your transparency and be able to relate more to you. Thanks again, Courtney!

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  14. Hi....Thanks for this...I will stay clothed with Christ
    Happy wfw

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  15. Beautiful post! Even the strongest of us feel insecure at one time or another. Your honestly shows true strength.

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  16. oh what a awsome encouraging post, thank you sharing this.

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  17. Thank you for this. After reading Beth Moore's book So Long Insecurity, this verse has become one of my favorites and I have found myself repeating it more often these days. Thank you for being honest and open and letting us know your fears.
    I have to admit that sometimes when I read your blog I perceive you to near perfection and having it all together.
    Being a working mom, it is sometimes hard for me to relate. However with post like these I feel connected and encouraged.
    Thank you again.

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  18. Thank you for sharing this! What an encouragement!

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  19. Wonderful post!!! It was a message for me in due season. Courtney, I truly enjoy your "Walks with the King" :-)

    ProFundity

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  20. Courtney, I sooo appreciate you sharing this. The Lord meant it for me today, and I am grateful. Thank you! I'm so glad we have Jesus!!! Love, Jenny C.

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  21. Courtney, do not think you have given the wrong impression. It is our fault (not yours!!) if we think you are perfect and actually have a super clean house 100% of the time. Please don't disclose your fears and insecurities and messy-ness just because you think you aren't giving the whole picture. You are honest in every one of your posts, and that's what matters. It is not the Proverbs 31 woman to be self-deprecating. And quite frankly, I don't follow those blogs where women go over the top to say "I'm human, I have a messy house, I yell at my kids....etc", thinking this is what you need to do to relate to people. I don't need someone to relate to my mess, I need someone to tell me to clean it up. That's what you do, in a loving and encouraging way. Keep it up! And keep laughing!

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  22. What a great post

    Thanks for sharing!

    Renee

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  23. What an excellent and encouraging post - and a reminder that we are clothed in strength and dignity when we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

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  24. What I needed to hear. Thanks so much for posting.

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  25. I love your cute picture and verse. Blessings ~

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  26. You have good practical advice. I admire what you are doing.

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I LOVE hearing from my readers and I pray for you all regularly. I try to respond to questions in the comment section as quickly as I can - within 1-3 days.

Due to an overflowing email inbox and the desire to keep my husband, children and home first priority in my life, I am no longer able to answer personal emails at this time. I apologize.

Walk with the King!
Courtney