"A womans' heart must be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him to find her."
~ Maya Angeloui
I really like this quote. It is my heart and prayer not only for my girls, but for every girl/woman to believe this.
Twenty years ago today, Dean was in one hospital with blood/fluid on his brain and I was in another one giving birth. He had to hear the delivery on the phone of our oldest daughter, Rene'.
It's so hard to believe that little girl with the blond, Shirley Temple curls is driving and working. That she went to Korea by herself on a mission trip and texts on her cell more than I ever talked on the Snoopy phone I shared with my sisters! ;) Rene' has always loved to read and dance. She has always been a nurturer and would try to be the mom. I was always reminding her who the mom was. God has done amazing things through her already and brought her through so much. She spent a week in NICU after she was born and she was very sick for her Freshman Year in High School; we thought we would lose her. Rene' has battled fear. She is a friend to those who don't have any. She has been the hands and feet of Jesus to those around her.
She has driven me crazy at times, but she is also an inspiration to me. I love how she always strives to follow God. We named her after my mom, Renee. My mom loved to worship and made everyone who met her feel important. Rene' is like that.
There is a scripture in 1 Peter 3:4-6:
"Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him master. You are her daughters IF you do what is right and do not give way to fear."
The "it" here is beauty in vs. 3, where God says beauty is not how your hair looks or your jewelry or clothes. When I first read this scripture I was sad. Didn't God know my Jewish/Italian family? We were definitely not quiet and we were not always gentle. Over the years, I have come to look at it not so literal. Yes, I have gotten quieter and more gentle as God has worked on different areas in my life, but...
I think that God wants us to focus on who we are on the inside more than what we look like on the outside. I love how women back then struggled with looks like we do now. I appreciate how God gets it and encourages us to stay on track with what's important. Don't get hung up with the whole calling him "master" thing. (It's never gonna happen, Deano) Instead, remember that it is about our hearts.
Am I doing the right thing? Am I gentle with those around me and myself? Am I quiet so I can hear the cries of those around me? So I can hear God speak to me? Am I giving in to fear or fighting and standing against it?
We are women of God, made in His Image, He lives in us and we have all that He is! WE ARE BEAUTIFUL! Whether we are married or not, we are daughters of the King! So let's walk with a quiet confidence in who we are in Him.
My prayer for you today is to not settle for anything, but God's best and don't sell yourself short. Stay focused on what's important.
Have a fab day! I know I am...with celebrating my beautiful Rene'!
xoxo ~ Jodi
Such a wonderful post today. So needed, not just by me, but by most girls/women out there. Rene is a beautiful woman, inside and out. And Mom and Dad, I credit you. No doubt God is molding her, but he gave her to you, has been and will continue to mold you and in turn, you have poured into her (and your other children). Thank you for listening to your Heavenly Father, who is blessing you, and raising up in the *nurture and admonition of the Lord* your family. Much love and blessings on you and your family.
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