The Virtuous Woman ~ By: Vicki Courtney

Just have time for a short post cause I'm kinda feeling under the weather...

BUT...I wanted to share with you a book that I recently re-discovered.

It is titled "The Virtuous Woman" by Vicki Courtney.

I'm an underliner. I don't highlight....mostly because I can't ever FIND a highlighter. And in this book....I swear...EVERY line is underlined. It just speaks to me in a way I can convey and feels so applicable to life right now.

Its a modern day take on the Proverbs 31 woman. Its snarky and real. And I love that.

Seriously, read it.

Here are a couple of sentences from the book that I underlined AND put a star by (that means its REALLLLLY special to me) ;)

"If you are one who must know why, you will drive yourself mad waiting for an explanation from God. There are many things in this life that no matter how much energy we pour into understanding the why behind the matter, we will never find a valid explanation. Some things were never meant to be disclosed this side of heaven."

"If we are to have homes filled with joy, we must first model joy to our children. Being a mother is the most difficult job I have ever had. It forced me to address my own weaknesses."

"Our children belong first and foremost to God. He never intended that we wing this parenting thing alone."

"My grandmother had been diagnosed with cancer for the second time and wanted to share a timely verse with me. As she opened her worn Bible and turned the pages, I could see margins filled with her notes. The pages were so worn from the turning that they were falling out. As she read the verse to me, I found myself thinking, Dear God, may my Bible be as weathered and worn as my Grandmothers."

Did I mention that Vicki is funny?

"I remember my first encounter with the renowned Proverbs 31 woman. I was a new believer and a new bride to boot. I had heard that when it comes to a biblical version of the "ideal woman," this was the gal to emulate. So I opened up my Bible and read the passage-all twenty-two verses in one sitting. Talk about overwhelming.

I mean, somebody give this woman a chill pill, and make it fast! Just make sure she washes it down with some decaf. Just reading about her made me want to take a nap. If the formula for becoming virtuous was contained in these 22 verses, I was in big trouble, especially if it was meant to be interpreted in a literal sense.

I have no problem bringing my food from afar, whether its take-out pizza or the bag-o-burgers deal at Sonic. I was thrilled to find the verse about the maidens and was quick to point it out to my husband. He responded by pointing out the sewing and cooking verses. Ouch. I'll have to pass on planting a vineyard until I can manage to keep a Chia pet alive. As for strengthening her arms, does this mean I can get a personalized trainer to help me strengthenth mine? If my husbands pants need hemming, can I hire someone else to layeth hands to the spindle and still get credit?

Can I stretch out my hand to the poor by participating in the canned food drive at my kid's school? I don't care much for wearing purple and silks, but we definitely share a passion for finding the perfect outfit. When it comes to exhibiting the laws of kindness, can there be exemptions on days when the toilet needs cleaning, the kids are fighting, and I have PMS? Is my Sunday afternoon nap considered the bread of idleness? Did her husband and children rise up and call her blessed every day? I have couple of teenagers who might rise up and call me "dorky," but "blessed" is pushing it. If beauty is vain, can every day be baggy-sweatpants-and-sloppy-ponytail day?"

Well, so much for being a short post.

And because I'm be nostalgic today...

This is from our first date....Who is this cute couple and where did that skinny girl go?!

And I also want to know where this tiny little munchkin went?!

John 1:16

"And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."