A Lady's Heart -- Introduction

I am going to begin a series on what character traits it is important for a biblical lady to have. Old-fashioned, biblical femininity is a passion of mine. It is something I like to pursue…so I thought I'd write about it! I don't know exactly where to begin, (that has always been a problem for me) and I don't know exactly what order to go in. I'm kind of a random "just winging it" kind of person, so we'll see how it goes.

Some of the things I'd like to write about include: modesty, truthfulness, purity, gentleness, respectfulness, and cheerfulness. I want to put a scripture or two (or three or four) to each one, and I want to also outline a lady's responsibility in each area.

Does this sound overwhelming to anyone else? I suppose not since none of you will be writing any of it. I'll do my best to post at least semi-regularly, (translation: once a week) but I make no guarantees. I hope my writing will encourage you either to pursue Godly femininity or to continue in it.

Sincerely,
Miss S.

I Am Not My Own

1 Corinthians 6:19
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

As I reflect on this verse I think of my body as a home, as a place where the Holy Spirit lives. I know that if I were to live in any home, I would want one that is clean and pretty. Surely no one would want to live in a house that is badly kept and in terrible shape. If my body is the "home" of the Holy Spirit, then I want to make it a well kept and lovely home. I want to nurture my mind with good books and good music, and I want to nurture my body with good food and good exercise. Knowing that my body is a place where God is makes me want to make it a better place. It's not my body, and I can't do whatever I want with it. Strangely, that is such a liberating thought.

Sincerely,
Miss S.

To Read or Not to Read

I stumbled upon this article a few days ago. I've often wanted to read those sorts of books and not known if I should. After all, they might be over my head, or I might not be interested in them. I'm glad I read this as it gave me encouragement. I have a feeling that I'll be reading more now. Goody! I love reading.

Sincerely,
Miss S.

Beautiful Girlhood

This is a book which has had a great impact on my life. If I'd had the opportunity to read it earlier, it may have had an even greater impact. It is a lovely book originally written by Mabel Hale in 1922. I haven't read the original, though I am sure it is lovely as well, so the version I recommend is the one that is revised by Karen Andreola.

It is geared toward girls who are experiencing coming into young womanhood. If I were asked to put an age on it, I would say 10-13. However, it has less to do with one's age and more to do with one's level of maturity. So, it is a book I would recommend to any girl of any age, young or old.

It is (I say again) a lovely book. Its chapters are each devoted to a specific character trait. The language may be a little old-fashioned, but the lessons taught very much apply in our world today. It touches on honesty, ambitions, home life, and friendships to name a few. I highly recommend it to any girl who is striving to be a biblical lady.

Sincerely,
Miss S.

Tree of Life

It is said of the Torah;

'She is a tree of life to all who grasp her, and those who support her are praiseworthy.'
(Proverbs 3:18)

And in Genesis it says;

'ADONAI, God, said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"'
(Genesis 3:22)

I always thought of it as meaning we would live a more fulfilled life here in this world. But my mom and I talked a bit, and we realized that it has an even more complete meaning. Taking and eating from the tree of life, or being obedient to God by obeying his Torah (which includes the Living Torah), has eternal life as its reward. In James 2:24 it tells us that 'A man is justified by works and not by faith alone.' So you see, what we do is equally as important as what we believe. The two go hand in hand. A person can believe in the Messiah, but if he does not strive to be like Him, then he does not show himself to be justified. Our works show our faith. If we believe in the Messiah, and eat of, grasp, and support the tree of life, then we will live forever in the arms of our Savior.

Sincerely,
Miss S.