Living the Legacy

It is of utmost importance to me to live a life pleasing to God. The woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31 sure makes that cut and every day I strive to be that woman. Most days I barely even resemble her, but God is merciful and extends His hand of grace. I have come to realize that the key to becoming that women is to be intentional about it.

The Proverbs 31 woman doesn't just roll out of bed and hope that her family will be provided for, she works with eager hands (v.13) and gets up early to feed her family (v.15).

The Proverbs 31 woman doesn't rely on the government programs to help others, she opens her hands to the poor and needy (v.20). And when calamity hits home, she has no fear because she has prepared for this and clothed them in scarlet (v.21).

She clothes herself with strength and dignity (v.25).

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness (v.27).

This is a woman to look up to. She takes care of her family and her community by living a life of intention. We won't just wake up someday and be this woman, we have to live these verses out in our daily lives today and hereafter if we want to be the woman 'more precious than rubies'. What are you doing today to live an intentional life as you strive to become like the Proverbs 31 woman?

les fleurs {a tutorial}

"Beauty is God's handwriting. Welcome it in every fair face, every fair day and every fair flower." -Charles Kingsley

Nothing is more fun than to get a bouquet of beautiful flowers. They just put a smile on my face. The flowers were the one detail I loved most about planning our wedding. But what could make flowers even more irresistible? A baby essentials flower bouquet, of course!

Today was spent crafting these precious little buds. All you need is: wire cutters (or scissors), floral tape, artificial flower stems (or wire) and an assortment of baby booties, caps and mittens.

Take the artificial flowers off of the stem. Cut any wires poking out. Insert the flower stem and roll one of the baby items up into a rose bud. Hold the bud tight and begin wrapping the floral tape. Create a few of these buds to make a cute bouquet for a new Mom or place in a galvanized bucket or vase as a centerpiece at a baby shower. These sure do make me smile!

Got Ribbons?

Is it just me or does everyone else end up with tons of extra ribbons in your craft collection? You collect them over the years from various packages and presents but you don't really know what to do with them all. Well since it is the 'Great Baby Boom of 2011' and just about every one I know it having a baby, I've got babies on the brain. I decided to put those extra ribbons I have to good use crafting adorable baby stuff.

Ever heard of a tag blanket? Neither had I, but apparently babies love them. Why, I'm not really sure, but if they like 'em, then I'll make 'em! It's really quite easy. I followed this tutorial but instead of using just 2 different type of fabric on each side I decided to use some coordinating fabric squares to make it patchwork on one side.

Baby crafts are the most fun because they are all so dang cute! And I can't wait to give it to my little niece when she arrives this fall or my BFF's baby coming next spring or my cousin's newest addition. What did I tell you about the baby boom!?! Now all my excess ribbons will be on cute little blankets for little babies' enjoyment and I will keep collecting ribbons until the next baby boom. :)

A Few Words

My muscles are sore and my heart has been challenged. Both happened while attending a christian wellness workshop this last weekend. We learned from truly anointed women gifted in the word, we feasted on His goodness and we worked our booties off too. Boy was God present in that church gym. It was a very powerful weekend to say the least. Besides working on some tighter glutes :) I also received a few words from the Lord while there.

Our Full Attention

I'm sure most people are well acquainted with the story Jesus tells about the narrow way. At the workshop they shared the verse in the traditional King James version along with The Message. Listen to how the message breaks it down:

"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention."

What a picture, huh!? Our teacher made it even more vivid when she described the narrow way as not just a separate path alongside the broad road but she described the broad way as a rushing river. When we accepted Christ in our lives, we stopped following the crowds that were rushing down and turned around. Just standing and facing the rapid river you are going to encounter some serious resistance and crashing water but expect even more when you take that path back up the river.

He deserves our total attention, not some quick and easy worship time. He should be getting it all. All our time, all our attention and all our praise. In everything we do it should be done for His glory; working out, walking the dog, cooking dinner and even doing laundry. The way to life is vigorous and requires total attention...

Our Hearts Desire

"Delight yourself in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He will act." -Psalm 37:4-5

I don't know how to start this other than to say that I have had some desires, even God honoring ones, that have become idols in my life. The human heart is a factory that produces all kinds of idols. An idol is basically something that replaces God as the ultimate desire of our hearts. Like I mentioned before, although some of our hearts desires may be good and wonderful things, when they become the main focus of our lives or our ultimate source of joy, they have gone on the fast track to becoming those pesky little things God commanded us to stay away from.

“There is a God-shaped hole in the heart of every person, and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.” -Blaise Pascal

Alisa Keeton from Revelation Wellness shared with us that even though many of our desires are good and may have even come from God, that we need to remember that the focus should still be Him. He is the one who is able to honor those desires or give us entirely new ones. When we realize that and rely on Him and not the event or thing we have our hearts set on, our lives will be complete. Trust in Him and He will act...

It was an amazing weekend spent with some inspiring sisters in Christ. The muscle pain will go away but His word will abide forever!