If you've stopped by now and then, you can probably tell that I'm a fan of the Proverbs 31 woman.I didn't used to be. As a 20-something young woman without a home to 'make,' no husband to 'do good and not evil' toward and no children to groom in hopes they'd 'rise up and call (me) blessed,' I was more than a little annoyed with her. She seemed just one more stifling example of biblical womanhood--one that required a home and a family in order to really be all God intended for me. And then one day I got a new perspective of her.
Now, I think she's included in scripture to let women know the many possibilities and opportunities our lives can hold; a life that encompasses caring and creativity and career and community.
I know there are a lot of other fans out there as well. Many of you have blogs inspired by her or write posts in acknowledgment of her. I poke around cyberspace the best I can to find what's out there, but I'm sure I'm missing a lot.
So, I'm launching Ruby Tuesdays ("her worth is far above Rubies..."). If you have a P31 blog, or make a P31-inspired post on a Tuesday, you're invited to add your link to Mr. Linky so others like me can find you too. Grab the code for the button and post it on your blog as well to invite your readers to check out the goings-on. (A P31 post can be anything related to something mentioned in Proverbs 31: cooking, crafting, gardening, working from home, serving (your family or the community), child-raising, husband-encouraging...just about anything most of you are already doing!)
Then come back every Tuesday to see what Proverbs 31 women around the blogosphere are up to.
And to get us off to a good start, I'll be giving away a copy of a great new book on the topic. (My very first giveaway!) Donna Partow's "Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be" is a 90-day devotional journey on the quest to find your inner gem. If you'd like to win, leave a comment here. You get a second entry if you mention Ruby Tuesdays on your blog and link back here. I'll leave it open for a week and announce the winner here next Tuesday.
I hope you're as excited as I am about seeing what other women are doing on the journey to being a 'real gem.'
Posts
19 comments:
Fun idea! I'll look forward to reading these!
Hugs,
Melinda
Any guidelines for the posts? I might participate from time to time...but could you better define a P31 blog? I'm sure that I DON'T meet the criteria:)
peace~elaine
Thanks for the question Elaine. My definition of a P31 post would be any that could be inspired by any of the characteristics in Proverbs 31. That leaves it pretty open to anything relating to homemaking, childraising, strong marriage-supporting, gardening, serving, frugality, ministering, speaking in wisdom (nearly all of your posts would fall into that category!)...basically anything that could be 'hung on' one of the portions of that passage.
(And while I know you know it, I'll go ahead and post it here for others who drop by.)
10 [c] 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 dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
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 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
oh, i like that idea! sounds like a good book too!
(for some reason every time i come to your blog the top portion is missing so i miss the beginning of the post. i can't figure out why this happens.)
and you betcha i'll mention the giveaway on my blog. :)
What a fun and encouraging meme. It's amazing how many oportunities we have online to help us along in our jurney towards Godliness. Thank you for visiting my blog.
I will try my best to participate when I can.
Would love to read it. Pick Me!!!!
I love the idea of "Ruby Tuesdays". A bloggy friend made me a P31 bracelet - 31 beads, "pearls" and "rubies".
I'll enjoy reading the submissions.
Blessings,
Joy
Well, I just linked to a post that I wrote on Sunday rather than a Tuesday but I did mention P31. I too am a fan and I loved your post. At times I have been annoyed at her too. But you are so right about her exemplifying opportunities.
I actually started "Tune-Up Tuesday" but haven't had many people join in.
If my "Tune Up" has any relation to P31 then I will certainly come and join in here. If your P31 post has anything to do with "Tuning Up", then drop by my blog.
Friday I will be posting my first give-away too so be sure to check in. It is a Beautiful Life Management Planner from Graceworks and it is wonderful. I've been posting about it the past couple days.
Oops. Sorry this comment is kind of long isn't it.
Blessings!
Love this, Mary! I'm speaking on P31 in May and this is so great! I recommend a great book on that ruby chapter called: Lessons in Buoyancy by Kathy Vick (REvell)
so fun!
I just cited your cute Ruby Tuesday, Mary - super idea - take a look and let me know if I did it correctly:
http://www.welcomeheart.com
I just found your blog today! I missed your first Ruby Tuesday, but Lord willing I will be back next week to participate :)
I love this idea!
Great blog, by the way. I'm glad I found it.
http://rubies.articledirectoree.com/table-of-contents/
I already left a comment but came across this reading a friends blog today and your blog came to mind. Take a peek when you have a moment!
What a great idea! The Proverbs 31 Woman sets a high standard for us. It will be fun to see how the bloggers interpret P31 in light of their own lives. I'm looking forward to participating.
Thanks for the invite! I'm doing Donna's Proverbs 31 study right now (gave it to my SIL as a Christmas gift, too) and it is wonderful! Donna is very personal - and personable - and I'm hoping to lead this as a small group at my church.
Forgot to mention - my favorite part of the journey is having to memorize the passage. I normally hate memorization, but this one is inspiring!
This book looks wonderful - I'd enjoy reading it...
I'd love to read this!
bs.webster(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
Hey, I was awake and decided to look you up. Miss you friend... must be time for a visit :) Love you -Erika
Post a Comment