STRIVING

“To me, a lady is not frilly, flouncy, flippant, frivolous and fluff-brained, but she is gentle, she is gracious, she is godly and she is giving. You and I have the gift of femininity... the more womanly we are, the more manly men will be and the more God is glorified. Be women, be only women, be real women in obedience to God.”

these words of elisabeth elliot hit me square in the face, every. single. time. they make me stoked, convicted, nervous. stoked, because how awesome of a privilege it is to be these things for the Lord Himself! convicted, because i see the first five "not's" scattered throughout my sinful life. nervous, because it seems us ladies have a huge responsibility, like we're carrying the societal results on our shoulders. but before i go any further, i will stop. i stop myself because being a woman of God is the most outstanding gift ever received in this life.

imagine, an entire community of ladies diligently seeking these attributes. God would be set on high and men would love Him even more. imagine, ladies speaking gently to all age groups; ladies extending grace when a situation seems hopeless; ladies carving out more time to spend in communion with God than on instagram; ladies giving skills, time, energy to benefit others; and ladies marrying men who are so consumed with the Lord that only good can come of it. 

i'm guilty, are you? guilty of not performing these gifts we so naturally bear, i mean. Father, please forgive me. it's tough. there is no way around it. however, our calling is to disadvantage ourselves so that others may be advantaged. do we truly believe and surrender to that command? 

today, i challenge you to examine your life. where do i place the most effort? what do i think about most often? how do i serve? do i serve? am i intentional in all things? do i spend wholesome time with Jesus every day? what upsets me? am i kind?

the list could go on and on, but we must start somewhere. let's strive to carry out this calling together, as a community.

this is my biggest conviction and prayer, currently. walk with me. hold me accountable. i need to be the woman to whom God intended.