It was a beautiful winter morning here in Southern California. I woke early, with the sound of birds chirping and feeling rested from a good night's sleep. What a blessing and a gift to actually wake up feeling rested and ready to go. Oh the simple pleasures in life! As I laid in bed, listening to the beautiful sounds of the early morning, the scripture of the Proverbs 31 Women came strongly into my mind, and I knew I had to switch gears from the post I had been working on the day before, and write on this topic.
By the way, thank you for taking out your valuable time and sharing a few moments with me. I hope your week has been going well and you have continued to pursue your exciting journey of growth, and even take steps toward getting out of your comfort zone. Way to go!
Well on to the blog. On Saturday my husband said, "What do you think about going to visit your mom and spending the night?" I thought it was so sweet of him to think of driving a few hours to her home, and spending the weekend with my treasured mom, after a tiring week of work. So I jumped on the opportunity, sent her a text, and we quickly got our bags packed, and headed up her way to the LA area. When she woke, she called us while we were driving, and expressed her excitement and joy to have our company. We first drove to a little country city we love called Fallbrook, and picked up some fresh tamales at a Mexican Market we enjoy. We wanted to pick up some for my sister and for my mom, just to give them a break from cooking and offer them a quick meal for dinner. If you like tamales, you know how special it can be to just sit down and enjoy one, considering they can take most of a day to make. We thought it would be a treat for my sister Chris and her husband, since she is caregiving for him and working full time. I don't have to elaborate anymore, to any of you who have served as a caregiver in your life. We applaud all of you, and your loving heart!
The last handful of years have been a struggle for many and my heart goes out to those who have been through it. In our family, we lost my dad a few years ago to age, accompanied by Parkinson's and the after effects of a stroke. We also lost my precious middle sister, just over 1 year ago to Cancer. My mom was the main caregiver to my dad, and my sister Jodi, who battled cancer off and on for 15 years. My sister Chris and I helped my mom as much as we could throughout their illnesses, but my mom did most of the caregiving. We also lost my husbands amazing mother a few years ago, to an unexpected illness. Less than 2 years after his mom passed, Mikes dad passed away as well. Mikes mother took care of him throughout most of his illness as well. Mike and his spectacular sister, who lost her husband to Cancer over 7 years ago, did all they could for them while they needed assistance and care. Much of this happened through Covid, although we did not lose any of them from Covid. That is another story possibly for another time. As of this moment, this post might seem a bit of a (you know who) downer, but if you stick with me, you will see it brighten up, and turn the corner. I am by nature a "glass is half-full" kind of girl, so you can count on me to turn it around :)
As I woke up Sunday morning, My treasured daughter-in-law Norissa came into mind. It was her birthday. Not only is she the wife to my amazing oldest son, she is the mother to my spectacular grandchildren, and a gifted RN. Shout out to her and her special day. May this year be blessed and truly joyful. You bring JOY to us all.
With that being said, as I woke Sunday morning, Proverbs 31 came to mind in a powerful way. I am sure many of you who are reading this post, have read this amazing chapter that centers on women, but for those of you who haven't, I encourage you to read chapter 31 of Proverbs, in The Holy Bible. It is short but powerful. As I think of all of the amazing women who have come and gone throughout time, I think of the description we are given, in the bible, of what it means to be a Proverbs 31 Women, the characteristics she possess, and what we can be working toward, after we read this amazing chapter. I hope that any women reading this, does not get down, and think they don't measure up. It is easy for us to think these things, because we are human and life is tough. The Lord wants us to know he loves us and has made us unique, in His image. I believe this chapter was included in The Holy Bible, to give us encouragement, and have something for us to keep referring to, and striving for. You do "not" have to be married, to be a women of Proverbs 31 character. It's for everyone. https://www.biblestudytools.com/msg/proverbs/passage/?q=proverbs+31:10-31 So, this is for all the single ladies, as well.
I hope any man who might be reading this, realizes that today and every day, we should recognize and celebrate the amazing women in our lives, who are more precious than rubies and shine brighter than diamonds :) What would be helpful, is to hold the women in our lives up in prayer, and to continue to pray and ask the Lord to help us have more of these characteristics. We in return, will hold you up in prayer as well. I realize life was different back when The Holy Bible was written, but we can read through the lines, and get the gist from what is being said. The word of God is living, and will continue to grow in our lives if we stay planted and grounded in it. Love you ladies!
I am in awe of the women that have been placed in my life. I have been blessed with many phenomenal ladies, who I look forward to joining some day, at "The Heavenly Spa" if there is one, up in Paradise?! I can only try and imagine how incredible it will be. There are so many women in my life currently, who just blow my sock's off, friends included. This chapter can be used as reminder, of a goal we can have, and something to strive for daily. None of us are perfect, or the identical twin to "Sister Proverbs 31" but this passage gives us something to be mindful of. It can be part of the Grow My Know Challenge for all you young ladies, and women out there.
I will continue to remind us all, lot's of baby steps lead to a gigantic leap, so be encouraged that we are all amazing in our own ways. We have endless passages in the bible that can help remind us of who we are in Christ, and get us back on track, if we feel we need to pick up the pace. There are also amazing websites, such as the ones I have listed in this blog, that can add valuable insight to our life. I will add them to the "Food For Thought" section at the top of my blog if you are interested in going deeper.
Here are a few pictures of some fabulous women in my family...If I put a picture up of all the amazing women I am thinking of, with Proverbs 31 characteristics, it would be quite a while until I got this post published. Every women I hang out with, is one of these ladies!
(A heartwarming picture of my beautiful Daughter-In-Law Norissa, as she carries my precious grandson on her shoulders. Taken in 2022, on a warm December hike in Arizona. (It shouts Proverbs 31)
(A treasured picture taken at Christmas time 2021, with my 2 sisters, my mom, and my nieces. All spectacular women in my family. It was the last picture we all took, with my sweet and strong, one-of-a-kind sis, Jodi RIP)
(My Mom, 2 forever sister's, and I)
(My cherished Sister-In Law and Mom Henry)
(Julian, so happy with his Lola)
(An OG picture of me, my amazing Sister-In Law, and Momma K)
(My adorable Daughter-in-Law to be, and her sweet mom, celebrating Engagement Day)
(My adored Daughter-In-Law being a awesome Mommy and teaching my grandson how to crawl up and down the stairs safely. It was his first go at it. He was an expert in no time. I love this picture!)
(My niece lookin' all cute)
(Play time with Mommy in the sand)
(It was love at first sight, when my outstanding Mom, met her youngest great-grandson to date)
(My beautiful Grandma, a Proverbs 31 Women)
I have so many more spectacular women in my life that I hope to feature on a future post as I am lead. My treasured "Sister Friends" you know who you are, and I am in such admiration of you, on the daily. Thank you for helping to teach me what a Proverbs 31 women is all about, by who you are! On this day, it is my pleasure to honor these lovely family members, since I am writing on the celebration of women, and the subject of being a Proverbs 31 Women. I love you all.
Until next time, keep on, keepin' on! Know I am committed to pray for you, and never forget you are truly someone special, and loved :) Let's commit to uphold one another in our thoughts and prayers. Let's be reminded to continue praying for all the people in our lives daily. You better believe, prayer works :)
PS
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Choose Happy,
Jen
Click the link below to read Proverbs 31:10-13. It is well worth reading the whole chapter for contextual reasons. I will add the entire chapter to the "Food For Thought" section.
https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/04/25/but-im-nothing-like-the-proverbs-31-woman
You Go Sister! You are truly an inspiration. Love you , Misty