Energetic, strong; hardworker

Disclaimer: This was written Monday, but not posted until today. Let's just say it's been a week.

            It's Monday. And, boy, has it been a Monday. Let's just say it's only 12:30 in the afternoon and my almost 2 year old is already in the bed taking a nap. Yes - for you mommas out there you understand those days where fuss and ill seem to have possessed that usually sweet child of yours. I may be the guilty partner of this ill child due to the busy weekend and missed naps that was had. However, today we are trying to make up for all that lost sleep and I pray, quite literally, that she wakes up happy, sweet and her normal self. 

            I have found that my patience has been worn thin and my sanity, quite frankly, seems to be on the wit's end. But, that is where I have drawn strength from my Savior and we prayed twice during her tantrums that God would help mommy not lose her patience and have wisdom to discipline and that "G" would obey her momma and for God to forgive us for disobedience. Some might find that strange. To pray and ask God for guidance in the middle of trying to discipline a screaming 2 year old. However, if I don't ask for wisdom then, when would be the right time? If I don't display what to do in the middle of chaos, how will she know? I am the only piece of the Savior that she sees day in and day out. I'm to be the extension of love which is drawn from God himself. My ultimate desire is that when she becomes older, she can look back and say "My momma was a true follower of Jesus, full of His love and His Holy Spirit." I mean after all, how can I expect her to follow Him if I don't? This is how I am attempting to be the Proverbs 31 woman. I'm not striving for perfection because I would be lying if I would say that I don't lose my temper and my "cool" at times. It is so difficult and very wearing to deal with a screaming 2 year old. But, again, I seek to draw my strength from the Spring Himself. 

               My ultimate desire since I have been doing this Proverbs 31 Woman study is that you find your own strength from the one who gives it. With that said, let us look at the next few verses within the Proverb 31, 5:16-18. 

She goes to inspect a field and buys it;

    with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 

She is energetic and strong,

    a hard worker.

18 

She makes sure her dealings are profitable;

    her lamp burns late into the night.

                We find that the Noble Woman goes into a field to inspect if it profitable. For a woman to have that say so during this time is unheard of. Women were considered property at this time. Therefore, for her to have a say so in what fields can be purchased and having the ability and opportunity to purchase the field, she had great honor. She was considered an equal to her husband. He honored and respected her opinion. Solomon states that she is energetic, strong and a hard worker. This Noble Woman strives for being profitable and will do what it takes to to being her family profit including staying up late hours of the night. 

                 Most women today seek employment outside of the the home much like this Proverb 31 Woman. We women seek careers and not only are wives and mommas, but also women of the work force. We are energetic (well some days) and strong. We work hard to support our families in more ways than one. You see, you and I are more like this Proverb 31 woman than we realize. Seek encouragement today knowing that you are strong, hardworking. 

With Love, 

Lauren

Like a Merchant Ship

             Two days ago, we spoke of how precious a woman of noble character is. Today we will look deeper into this Proverb 31 woman and just see how she is a captain of her household. Again, using New Living Translation, here is Proverb 31, verses 13-15:

She finds wool and flax

    and busily spins it.

14 

She is like a merchant’s ship,

    bringing her food from afar.

15 

She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household

    and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

            Looking at verse 13, the woman is described as making clothes for her family. It is her duty as a mother and wife to make sure all those that belong to her household are warm, secure and healthy. Therefore, as a woman it is our responsibility to take care of those around us. And, don't look at that like it is the "woman's duty" with a bad connotation. As a nurse, I have had it said to me multiple times that it takes a "special" person to care for others. You see, God gave woman this special ability to care and nurture those around her. We have the natural ability to do this; to shield, protect and nurture.

             Going into verse 14, Solomon describes this noble woman to be like a merchant's ship. A merchant ship would equate to a cargo ship of today. A ship must have a captain, a compass, carry precious goods and weather storms on the great seas. Don't overlook this. We as the mother and wife of a household are the true captains. We navigate the home and how life is portrayed in it. We can control if the home is peaceful or full of chaos. However, by utilizing our compass who would be Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we have the opportunity to wield it in God's direction. The goods that we carry are to be "from afar" meaning that we look for the best for our families. Whether that means most affordable or most healthy, it is our jobs as "merchant's ships" to bring in the best for our families. Also, a merchant ship never keeps any for herself portraying that this noble woman is selfless. And finally, ships must be able to withstand the greatest storms. We all know that life has its storms and the woman is equipped to handle these with grace and without sinking because God gives us the grace to do so. Therefore, see yourself as the captain of your home who has the ability to navigate how it will go, what will brought into your home and one that is strong. 

             Finally, verse 15 which I would consider my least favorite and most difficult is that this woman would rise before her family to not only take care of her "own," but also those that served underneath her. It is her that plans her family's day and because of her that the family had something substantial to eat in the morning. Again, an act of selflessness. She gives up and sacrifices to prepare food and time which both are needed to be productive and to be vital. This noble woman is prepared, thoughtful and purposeful. She isn't wasteful, but understands how precious time and money are.  

           I would dare to say that many of us mothers and wives are doing what is stated above in our own ways. We as women have the innate desire and ability to be selfless, loving and giving. All of these characteristics describe what this woman does in these few verses. Believe in yourself today. Don't read these and feel guilty if you feel short of this. Read it and breathe.  Ask for grace. And remember, every day is full of new mercies. Push yourself to recognize that you are capable and are most likely doing each of these things. However, I would venture that sometimes we don't believe that we have such a stronghold in our households. Think again. Remember, you are the captain of your ship. Bring peace, the Holy Spirit and find strength in Him alone. 

Love, 

Lauren

Worth more than Rubies

             So, a few days ago I mentioned the proverbs 31 woman. For me, I am currently on day 5 of a "new" me and so far I haven't been perfect at it, but striving to be better. I don't know about you, but I struggle with perfection and understanding that I am so far from it. That alone sometimes defeats me. However, God doesn't want us to live defeated. So much so, in fact, that Jesus died on the cross so that I can live with Him forever. You see, he was victorious against sin and the death that it wages, so that you and I can live victorious through Christ. Oh, victory in Jesus! (A little hymnal to throw in there). And that's where this Proverbs 31 woman comes in at. I have always looked at her with envy as the epitome of perfection, but really that's not it at all. She depicts a woman who allows God to live through her and by her and relies on Him to make her wise, strong, courageous and beautiful.

        When reading through the New Living Translation, which has become my new favorite translation of the bible, the title of this particular section describing the Proverbs 31 woman is Wife of Noble Character. When we look up "nobel character" in the dictionary, it is an adjective that means distinguished, of admirably high quality, notably superior, excellent, of exalted moral or mental character. Sometimes noble is also referred to those distinguished by birth because they are aristocratic. Therefore, to begin looking on how we as wives and mothers should uphold ourselves, here is a "how-to" guide.

        In the first few verses, the bible states the following:

[b]A wife of noble character who can find?

    She is worth far more than rubies.

11 

Her husband has full confidence in her

    and lacks nothing of value.

12 

She brings him good, not harm,

    all the days of her life.

            It is already pointed out that nobility is hard to find. A woman that has exalted moral, mental character and that is distinguished in this way is difficult to find. Think about it. However, I wouldn't say that it is because we are not capable to be that woman. I believe that our culture has helped us to believe that in order to be "distinguished" we as woman must be sexualized. In order for us to be noticed whether it is by another man or even in the career world, we have to be beautiful and look a certain way, wearing what makes us "sexy." Alright ladies. Hang in there with me. I want you to put down your "I got to where I am today because I am smart, intelligent, kind, etc." I really was in that thought process until some important men in my life pointed this out to me. How many "successful" women do you see in society that aren't deemed "pretty" by society? I would argue not that many. Unfortunately, we as women are determined what our status will be by how we are perceived by appearance by those around us. But, God is putting it out there in the beginning. Noble character is what is more precious. Our beauty is fleeting, but character is ever lasting. When we are noble, our husbands can trust us. And in my personal dealings in life, trust is invaluable. To truly trust someone with who you truly are, aka character, is very difficult. But here, Solomon points out that if we are noble, we are trustworthy. We are priceless. And because of that, we bless those around us. Don't believe me? Read those words above. If you make up your mind to be noble - following after Jesus and allowing His Holy Spirit to live in you (which is the ONLY way to be noble), then were are precious like rubies. Rare. Beautiful. Good. Lovely. 

           So, how do you become noble? Follow Jesus. Spend time in His word and in His presence and let the Holy Spirit flow in you and through you. Believe the words above that you are priceless and beautiful because of your character, not because of what you look like. And don't listen to the enemy. Don't let him steal your joy which is your true beauty. Meditate on this today. Tomorrow we will look at more of this Proverbs 31 woman and see how we are "her."

Praying and Believing for more, 

Lauren

New Beginnings

           After celebrating another birthday this past Wednesday, (26th if you were wondering) something dawned on me. Most of us decided on January 1st that we will begin new things. New exercise programs, new weight loss diets, new devotions; a new us. But really, if one thinks about it, our new year starts on our birthdays. That is actually the new year for you and me on a more personal level. Therefore, I decided that on my birthday would be the start for a new me - a better wife, more loving mother, healthier woman and most importantly, a deeper follower of Christ.

           Needless to say, I am in a new phase in my life. We have recently completed moving to a new area and new church. Sam and I have also made the decision with me to stay at home with the girls full-time - I am now a stay-at-home mom. Yes, yes. A stay-at-home mom. I never thought that Lauren Bridges and stay-at-home mom would even be in the same sentence together and would equate the same person. I am ashamed to say that 10, 5 and even 2 years ago I made the comments to my husband, "Why would a woman stay at home. We have the ability to work just like men and should never rely on our husbands salary alone to support a household." God has a way to show us our words and a pretty great sense of humor. So, despite the fact that I have my RN, and worked extremely had to obtain that, I am at home with my sweet 3 month old and 21 month old. Most days I love it, and other days, I can't wait for them to be over and start again. However, as a momma, I am finding that I need much self discipline if I don't want the day to slip away from me. My desire is to "grab the bull by the horns" and "seize the day."

          This week, I have made the following decisions to help me seize my day and make time work in my favor. As sleeping in seemed oh so nice, I find that waking up at 6 AM is a much better use of my day rather than waking at 8. It is in the early morning hours that I can have "me time" and most mommas know that this is a rare thing that is hardly ever found. When you become a mother, there is no longer me time. Heck, there is no longer husband and wife time. So, if you haven't become a parent yet, word to the wise, no more time to watch TV by yourself, sleep, eat, take a shower and even go to the bathroom without little hands, loud mouths and sweet little ones being there. Constantly. Just be prepared. But, it's not a bad thing either. I love those sweet moments (minus the bathroom one). Therefore, the only way to have time to yourself is to find it when they are sleeping. This is a glorious state that they are rendered unconscious and you can find "me time" once again. So, at 6 AM I can wake up, eat breakfast, have a devotional and work out all before little eyes even think about popping open. I can also apparently write this blog.

           To ensure my discipline keeps up, I have given myself challenges which are not easy to back away from. Currently, I have taken the 30 day "Butt Lift Challenge" and I am also practicing some yoga. Maybe the "Butt Lift Challenge" is a little too much info, but hey, as a new momma of two under 2, I may be 26, but I don't have a 26 year old body. This is even the conversation via text between the hubby and I this morning:

Sam sends me a picture of us 4 years ago and says "Look at my hot wife." 

Me: Wow that was 4 years ago? 

Sam: Yep 

Me: Time flies when you're having fun.  

Sam: Oh yea 

Me: What happened to that hot wife? I think she's MIA 

Sam: 2 kids. They ravished her body in ways I can't understand.  

Me: It's okay. I'm trying to find her in this beat up body. I'm pretty sure she's in here somewhere.  

(Just for clarification, Sam and I are lovingly joking. Or, at least he is.)

And the yoga that I mentioned, that is for fitness and a peaceful frame of mind along with devotions in the morning because without the Holy Spirit, I can't be the better wife or loving mother that I mentioned in the beginning of this post. I would just be Lauren failing at the attempt of either one of those. Because of Jesus, I have hope that I can be the woman portrayed in Proverbs 31. Yes, the infamous Proverbs 31 woman. I know, I know. We as women are tired of hearing about "her."As a mother and wife, I used to be afraid of "her" knowing that I could never obtain this status of this amazing mother and wife Solomon describes here. However, as a follower of Jesus, I recognize that grace is given daily and the Holy Spirit that gave Solomon the wisdom to write these words is the same Holy Spirit living in me and through Him and by Him I, too, can become "her." I will continue to post about how we as women can be like this Proverbs 31 woman and it won't be about how you are currently doing life wrong and failing, but encouraging you to understand who this woman was and how we can be like her knowing that His grace is sufficient on days that we aren't and His grace is new every morning for another try.

            The Proverbs 31 woman is actually who inspires me to be better - healthier, more in control of finances, more loving, patient, passionate, a teacher and a follower. I have made a schedule for myself for the day which is posted along with the new homeschool routine I am doing with "G." Although she is not quite 2, she is very smart and I long to push her to be better as well. My plan is to show you my own trials and errors of homeschooling a 2 year old along with the resources used.

            I am excited to be in this season of a "new me" and to share it with those willing to follow. Love is unfolding before your very eyes in an imperfect manner, but a passionate manner. Come journey along beside me and see what is in store because with Jesus, all things are possible.

                                                                                Love,
                                                                            Lauren


The schedule I promised:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dgz77KaxAOoFM2i-AZtk0g01dhDS6M1QUDOVVUt8PwE/edit?usp=sharing

Links to my current Challenges: