365 Days

I have ALWAYS been a fan of birthdays. My birthday - your birthday - your kids birthday. You let me know, and I'll be there ready to eat cake and buy you a cute present. There is something about celebrating life, no matter how old you get, because I'll tell you like I tell my neighbor...It's better than the alternative. My cousin found this old picture and put it on facebook. He said I look like "Hey, it's my birthday, give me more presents." I think it kinda captures the joy I have had over a life time of celebrating all birthdays.

With that being said, my birthday last year was not one I care to remember. The people who love me, family and friends, did their best to help me celebrate...but never in my life have I wanted a day to be over as bad as I wanted May 27th, 2010 to end. I felt like I had nothing to celebrate. I haven't looked back in my blog to see if I even posted about that birthday...I don't want to remember it.

I had the pleasure of having an early dinner with a dear friend tonight. We talked and talked about God's blessings, some I have poured out to my readers (all five of you), and some that I'm just not ready to share yet, but will very soon. Almost a year ago, we sat at dinner with my mom and cried about my friends struggles, about my struggles...and basically just had a pity party. Sometimes us gals need those in order to life each other up and crawl out of our pit. As we were getting into the car she tapped on my window and she said, "Allison, it's pretty amazing the difference a year can make." Last year I didn't even know who I was anymore...I was questioning everything about my life...and have FINALLY come to realization that God allows us to go through our struggles to only make us stronger, to use these struggles to help others, and to prepare us for the future.

Tonight after sharing some pretty personal things in Bible study one of the ladies asked this question, "Don't you think that God sometimes uses our darkest moments to prepare us for the blessings he has in store?" When I think about the blessings I have in my life right now, I wasn't ready for them 365 days ago. Dr. Stanley has said in several of his sermons if things are going right in your life you better watch out, because its time for something to knock you off the mountain top. I realize my journey from 'the pit to the palace' won't always be on top of the mountain, but I do feel better prepared for whatever God has planned in my future - good and bad - Because lets face it - He never promised me a bed of roses.

Year 27 is ending much better than it began. I have nothing but hope for year 28. Come what may, I have a Lord who has poured his perfect love into my heart. I have a wonderful family, although we aren't perfect (hey, whose family is), and friends that are more precious to me than gold. Tonight - I am thankful for you all. Thank you for loving me in the pit, and loving me out of it.

The Proverbs 31 Woman

Yep - I'm going there - this is going to be a long one, so either sit down and fasten your seat belt or come back later when you have a few moments to sit and ponder it all...

For the past four weeks my small group Bible study has been breaking the book of Ruth apart, pretty much verse by verse. I remember Ruth from the Sunday school point of view, but as a 27 year old woman whose has grown so much closer to the Lord over the past eight months I am seeing it from a totally different point of view.

Over various events in the past week the Proverbs 31 Woman has been laid on my heart, taught in my Sunday School class, preached from the pulpit...and even come up in the most unexpected conversations. During one particular conversation I asked a friend, aren't we supposed to attempt to be her? Some women are so terrified of failure that they won't even attempt. I rather fail again and again trying to be her, than to automatically throw my hands up in the air and quit before I even started.

With that being said, lets look at this phenomenal woman:

10 [a]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. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. "

Did you know - in the Hebrew Bible that the book of Ruth and the book of Proverbs were neighbors? Ruth is the Proverbs 31 woman.

With all of that being said...here is where I'm at...

I have always been a 'people watcher'...As I grow older and have the desire in my heart to some day be a wife and mother...I particularly watch married women and how their relationship with the Lord shapes their relationship with their husbands...and with their children...and their families...However, last weekend it hit me like a ton of bricks...These women aren't' just setting examples for their children, or working on the love triangle with their husbands and God - These women...They have an obligation to me. They have an obligation to any single, dating, and/or engaged woman to set an example of what the Proverbs 31 woman looks like. I am not saying that all the single gals out there need to put their married friends on pedestals...but I am saying that I am a young woman and I watch people, especially my women Christian friends...and I take in their words, actions, and relationships like a sponge.

In conclusion...this same topic came up again in my Bible study this week (today when I was working on it actually). I began to think...if it is having such a great effect on me, my heart, my walk with the Lord, and my potential future...maybe...just maybe...it could help someone else. So if you stuck with me thus far - great. I hope in some small way it touches you as much as it has me. May God bless you, and remember, we aren't perfect, but we can always improve in our walk with the Lord and the example we set for others.