Even as a
young child I remember planning my wedding with my best friend. From the
wedding colors, to where it would be, to the type of dress I would wear, to who
my possible future husband would be. Things that over time have changed but the
thought process stays the same. From Pinterest, to wedding websites like
theknot.com, to my binge watching of Say
Yes to the Dress, to the many wedding magazines, planning your wedding is
easier now more than ever. From cheesy Disney movies, to 27 Dresses, to the
Princess Diaries, to Nicholas Sparks movies. God’s love story is the best love
story of them all because it involves YOU. You see… I went into the National
Youth Workers Convention convicted. I was weary, teary, stressed and in a sense
I was lonely. It had been a year since my latest relationship had ended. I had
hit the point where I was sick of being the third wheel, it seemed like everyone and their siblings were getting engaged and I was tired of feeling as
though I was not worthy enough for love and affection. Was it my weight? My
acne? The gap between my teeth? Or the fact that I no longer had that soccer
player’s body? Why was I not dateable? Then the word “beloved” popped up
everywhere I went. Beloved… a word that I did not fully understand until that
week. It was a reminder that I was greatly loved by the one true King. I was
greatly loved by the man who holds my future in His hands and who has the
PERFECT man set out for me. A reminder that I am loved no matter what pant size
I wear, or the number on the scale, or the big ‘ole zits on my face, I was
loved by the one who created me. I realized now more than ever that I am God’s
pottery and I am His handiwork. I am treasured, I am LOVED, and I am flawless
in His eyes. He created me PERFECT. Love,
was talked about everywhere at the National Youth Workers Convention and I
truly believe it was God saying, “EMILY! Enough. I’ve got you. Breathe. YOU ARE
ENOUGH.” I became overwhelmingly
thankful that I could fully grasp the Lord’s love, knowing that He has the best
plan for my life. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I realized that I needed
to change my focus. I needed to direct my focus on investing in the
friendships/relationships around me and to do so in a Christ-like way. I needed to stop focusing and stressing on
what I looked like on the outside, but instead I needed to have a heart check
and understand my motives. What it came down to was an identity issue.
When many
people think about being a “Godly” woman in a relationship, they head straight
into Proverbs 31. While accurate, I believe Proverbs 31 is basically just a set
of standards and regulations. Reading Proverbs 31 can be so overwhelming. A
proverbs 31 woman is meant to be perfection. As human beings we are not capable
of being perfection. We are completely inadequate for the job. BUT With Christ
in us it allows us to be attainable. Basically
what I learned is that it comes down to: our relationship with others reflects
our relationship with Christ.
Being a
proverbs 31 woman to me means standing firm in the love of our father Jesus
Christ. Trusting that he will enable you to become the woman you are set out to
be. To not fear your past, instead
embrace it, learn from it and allow others in so they can see the
transformation work that The Lord does. It definitely is not going to be
easy but by surrendering to the Lord and allowing him to take over your life He
will guide and protect you. I am absolutely confident in that, I’ve seen it
happen. God has called us into
relationships with one another but if God is not at the center of it, it
probably isn’t the healthiest relationship. And by probably, trust me, it isn’t
the healthiest relationship. Whether it’s a friendship or a relationship,
relationship. If you are ever caught in
that situation we, as women need to put our big girl heels on and sprint the
heck out of there!
God has
prepared your heart your whole entire life for the one who you are going to
marry. Sounds cheesy and cliché, but as a twenty-one year old single woman this
is something that I cling onto daily. He has prepared your heart for someone
who will acknowledge your strengths, acknowledge your passions, and acknowledge
your desires and feed them. God set a fire in your heart for a purpose and a
plan, because HE WANTS TO USE YOU. He has someone planned for you who will pour
gasoline onto that fire instead of water it out. While I was in my latest relationship I
became who man called me to be, instead of whom God called me to be. As women we
need a man whose heart beats for you, a man who pursues you.
If you have been abused or are stuck in a
relationship that is not God honoring. Please do not feel like you are stuck or
are “dirty” or that God does not love you. Please know that you are worth SO
much more than the lies Satan is feeding you. Those chains that are holding you
back from your unique gifts and talents, God will set you free. You are worth
so much that GOD SENT JESUS DOWN ON THE CROSS FOR YOU. Once you trust in him he
has given you a new life, it will not be easy BUT YOU ARE NOT ALONE. God’s
hands of Grace, security and confidence will wrap around you, and through that
you can receive the confidence of being True to whom God made you. Reach out
and let people in who want to help you.
Look at the
women God used in the Bible, Esther, Martha, Ruth, and Mary. Each of them was
inadequate for the job they were set out for. They had broken relationships,
friendships, and lives in general. Each woman was by no means a Proverbs 31
woman and God used them to change the world. Throw away the idea of being a
Proverbs 31 woman. Let’s face it, we all have baggage, we all have regrets, we
all are imperfect. BUT we ALL have that same strength and that same power as
the women who God used. So keep your head up, Keep that smile on your face and
walk confidently knowing that the Lord is holding your hand and guiding your
every steps! God wants to use YOU. Not the person that society is trying to
shape you into but the you He created you to be. Are you willing to be
obedient? Embrace your talents, embrace your gifts and embrace God. He is ENOUGH.
He’s got you.
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