From Proverbs 31 to Project 31

So I guess I need to post how I ended up wanting to have a shop to sell my little creations.

Well, I've always been into arts and crafts and I've drawn, painted, quilted, photographed, printed, sewed, etc. And I've made a lot of gifts for others and things for the home. And upon reading, thinking, and praying about Proverbs 31, I realized that I can do what the excellent wife in that passage did - making and selling her creations in honor of the LORD.

There have been times in my life that I've thought about selling, but many factors stopped me. The task seemed too big for me; I didn't think people would buy my stuff; don't want to part with my art, etc. All of these factors didn't play into my decision this time because I see this more as a ministry opportunity than just selling things and making a name for myself.

I plan on somehow put a verse on my packaging or include something extra that may point customers to the LORD. I don't know what yet. I don't know how yet. But I'm praying and see what God wants me to do.

I know that this can easily turn back into "just selling". So I need your prayers to keep on track in doing this for the LORD. Also pray for how I run this "business/ministry" so that God can be glorified. I appreciate your prayers!

A Godly Woman

I really want to be a godly woman. How? What does she look like?

Proverbs 31:10-31

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
She is like a merchant’s
ship, bringing her food from afar.

She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.

She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.

Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.

She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.

Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Wow, isn't this a wonderful picture of a godly woman? But it seems so hard, doesn't it? The first thing comes to my mind is this, "do I have to do all of these things? I don't think I can do it!"

Well, I will continue to explore this passage for the next however many days. If you want to, you can explore this with me. Read it over and think about it. Pray about it and see what God reveals to you. I will do the same. I may even find a Bible study to go with this. Let's see what God reveals to us.