2012 New Year's Resolution

We all know people resolve to be more fit or lose weight at the beginning of the new year. Some can hold out until March, (since the Ithaca College Fitness Center is PACKED until Spring Break) but others will most likely give up on their resolution by February. What about the rest of the year?

I enjoyed reading Twitter posts by numerous "celebrities" and other people I follow that reinstated how New Year's resolutions are more than just a goal that can be dropped in a few weeks. A resolution is  something that should be continuously worked on daily, like an evolving process. Though Creationists may not like me using that word, we all do evolve, grow or mature, "micro-ly," not necessarily "macro-ly." (thanks SCS' UTT class).

Therefore, I resolved that this year, I'm going to focus on being more of a Proverbs 31 woman. Below are the verses that refer to "The Wife of Noble Character" (NIV). I will probably do another blog with my interpretation of these passages later, but for now, I will just say why I chose to make this my New Year's resolution.

Last year, around the summer time, I realized my resolution was simply to continue to follow Christ and the will He has for my life. (Yeah, it took me 6 months to realize what my New Year's resolution will be for 2011). Towards the end of the year, I found myself being selfish, thinking: "I want this" or "I want that." I got caught up with what other people around me had - boyfriends, husbands, kids. I'm almost ashamed to say it but it's true.

So, in order to take the focus off me, I'm putting my attention back onto Christ to become even more of a woman of God. My relationship with Christ is the only relationship that truly matters. Through this and God's grace, I am confident God will reveal to me new aspects about being a single-woman, a child of His, a future wife and future mother (all Lord willing). The Lord has already shown me how His Fatherly attributes simply wrap His arms around me and hold me. And, being identified in Him, as His child, will help rid me of my selfish desires. I know He will supply a Godly man that I can selflessly serve and love for the rest of my life and experience His love in more ways than I can even imagine (but only according to His timing, not mine).

As my first step of becoming a Proverbs 31 woman, I believe the Lord has put it on my heart to pray for my future hubster every day to remind myself that it's not just about me. I should lift him up to start building our foundation of prayer for our relationship and prepare my heart for what's ahead.

Contemplating these verses and delving into what they really mean to me as a woman of Christ are the stepping blocks to preparing me for being hopeful about starting a life with a new companion.

10 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 night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
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 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 (Though, I know the world is coming to an end sometime soon, if God doesn't see the timing for me and the hubster appropriate on earth, keeping the focus on my relationship with Christ will prepare me for an even better relationship!)

Ephesians 5:22-24 says "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church...Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."

- It JUST clicked for me. If wives are supposed to submit to our husbands and the husbands are supposed to be love their wives like Jesus loves the church, then we're ultimately submitting to Christ! "Lightbulb...." - Despicable Me