A Woman Of Grace

Proverbs 31 defines many characteristics and is my role model of a graceful woman. "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her task. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy, She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

I just love the word "gracious"; it represents the definition of the kind of woman I desire to be. The dictionary defines grace as "pleasantly kind, characterized by good taste, merciful or compassionate, benevolent, and courteous." And for us Ladies, grace should spring from a love of God and His word, because He validates our worth and reminds us that we deserve to experience all that our heart desires and as a result, benefit all those around us. Being a gentlewoman of gratitude means that we are thankful for all that we have and express it with a genuine gracious heart. I like to picture and challenge myself to be a woman of strong character, who has wisdom, many skills, and exhibits empathy and tenderness towards others. I think that when women are gracious to not only others but also to themselves, they have an inner power and foresight that can move mountains! We must also remember another important characteristic of grace; forgiveness. Graciousness allows us to forgive ourselves and others for past mistakes which connects us in love. Rick Warren says, "And you know, when you've experienced grace and you feel like you've been forgiven, you're a lot more forgiving of other people. You're a lot more gracious to others."

A woman's strength and dignity do not come only from her amazing achievements; they are a result of her devotion and loyalty for God. Her attractiveness comes entirely from her character. A Virtuous woman is a woman of worth and beauty; she has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones. She serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit, always looking out for the comfort of others.

Who is a virtuous woman today? The model woman described in Proverbs is a portrait of ideal womanhood who realizes that regardless of her natural talents or acquired skills, or all her accomplishments, her strength comes from God. A woman of grace should encourage all women everywhere with her God-inspired character. What a noble character to live up to! I would love to be an example of the ideal virtuous woman, and can learn from His word and all the lovely gracious ladies that surround me! :)