Thanks to the wonderful power of the interwebz (see, it's not all bad), I heard about the 30 Day Husband Encouragement challenge and decided to check it out. It still sounds great, but I thought I'd better tackle myself first, with the
30 Day True Woman Make Over. Its a study on Proverbs 31, which I know, I know, makes some women groan. I myself have never felt defeated by the magnificence that is the Woman of Excellence. Which I suppose, when I consider it, surprising, because I'm so competitive and a bit of a perfectionist. I've always found her encouraging, especially as someone who works from home (which can be a bit frowned upon in some ultraconservative Christian circles). I'm only on Day 4 today, but I've already heard SO many good things. One of the most powerful things that struck me was when Nancy Leigh DeMoss posed the question "How many magazines do you read in order to improve yourself?". Expand that to include websites (Pinterest - I'm looking at you) and I felt absolutely, positively socked in the gut. I love magazines and blogs and websites. I'm a follower, not a leader, so I look to others for advice on how to be fit, a good mother, a good housekeeper, fashionable, well-read, crafty, more Christian, a better wife, a more productive businesswoman, and so on. But how often do I look to the real "how to" guide to life to become all of those things, and most importantly, a woman of excellence? Of course I'm speaking of the Bible. Oh, I read my Bible quite a bit, and I've taken my church's annual Read-Through-the-Bible-in-a-Year challenge this year. But I don't quite treat it as I treat Martha Stewart Living or InStyle magazine or my books by Lisa Terkeurst or even some of my favorite blogs listed here. Too often I treat the Bible as a book of ideals, not a manual for every day living. What a danger that is! In light of it being January and people making New Years Resolutions, I read an article talking about how resolutions and the entire US culture of self-improvement is nothing but a marketing ploy, and it makes absolute sense. IF you could "fix" yourself, following some easy steps, well, then you wouldn't need to buy any more magazines or products. And that would be a big fat fail for them. So, they carefully walk a fine line - telling you that you are broken and not good enough BUT if you could just do this, that or the other thing, you'd be perfect. They build up hope, just enough to get you to start your efforts. But it never lasts. And, besides, it's not even MEANT to last, because you need to feel defeated and down on yourself so that when the next fad or program, or product comes along, you can follow it and line their pockets. There's only one true Hope, the Hope that is everlasting. He is who I need to direct all my efforts and strivings, and from Him alone will I truly be blessed.
Psalm 43:5
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!
New Living Translation (NLT)