Perfectionist to the very Core

Unfortunately, yes, it is true.  I will admit with candor.

One thing about being a flawed human being, we can all relate to each others faults and mistakes, can we not?  Not to get down-in-the-mouth about being flawed (for all humans are), but it is true. 

Perfectionism: "the quality or state of being perfect; gaining the highest degree of excellence."

Ow.  That stung.  Are you wincing just a little?  Yeah, your little conscience buddy is telling you that nothing can achieve perfection.  Dratted little bug.  Always ruining good ideas.

Being a perfectionist is two-sided: either you try to do everything perfectly (unsuccessfully), or you can use that desire to do everything to the best of your ability which God has given you, knowing that nothing can be perfect.

I will confess that I, more times than not, practice the former.  Everything has to be perfect.

Pimples pop out on my face: HORROR.  I live in a nightmare.  No one look at me!  I have pimples, so I'm imperfect. (hmm, truth.)

I am not an accomplished musician: playing my violin, I know I don't do everything right (having taught myself); therefore I grow gloomy and depressed because I'm imperfect and can't do anything right. (hmm, truth.)

I look at myself in a mirror or picture (or even worse, a video) and scrutinize every detail.  Oh.  Cringing, I grow morose and crotchety because I am imperfect and flawed. (hmm, truth)

I wake up one fine morning, and determine to get along better with my siblings, give more honor to my parents, be more helpful around the house, do everything without being told, study diligently, think before I speak, care more for the feelings of others, and be more useful in my time. (sounds impossible, I know, but I don't fully realize that on a bright morning when I am in such a good mood!)  Then, when I fail, I become pessimistic and crestfallen because I am imperfect and human. (hmm, more truth!)

How zany am I?

As human beings, we cannot achieve perfection.  As the Bible says, all our righteousness is as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6)  We have no right whatsoever to think we are something in this crooked world.  Well, we can think of ourselves as fallen and depraved sinners, but nobody wants to admit that.

"For if any man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."  ~Galatians 6:3

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God."  ~2 Corinthians 3:5

All human beings are perfectionists in some way or form.  We don't want to admit our sin.  We will all claim our own goodness, according to Proverbs 20:6.  

Just what is sin?

"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."  ~1 John 3:4

"The law" being talked about here is the Bible, God's law to mankind.  Whosoever disobeys said law, even one commandment that God has given, is guilty of sin.  Let me ask you something: have you ever stole, lied, cheated, taken the Lord's name in vain, been disobedient to your parents, envied/coveted? (just to name a few)  Of course everyone has sinned.  We were all born with depravity.  No one is perfect, only Jesus Christ.

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."  ~1 John 1:8

We have no right whatsoever to glory in ourselves.  Our chests may puff out with pride at our many amazing accomplishments, but they are all really nothing.  Paul said the cross was the only thing he could glory in, and rightly so. (Galatians 6:14)  Our boasting is in vain unless we boast of Christ and the work He has done.  For it is He which worketh in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

We can accomplish nothing of ourselves.  It is Christ who works in us.  If we are His child, the Holy Spirit dwells in us.  However, that does not mean we automatically become sinless, nor does God's grace give us a license to sin. (Romans 6)  We will still be human (and all which that entails) but the new man is to take dominion over the old one.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  ~2 Corinthians 5:17

Christians can never be perfect until the day we enter into heaven to live gloriously with the King of kings.  Then will our bodies be perfect, then will our robes be white, and then will we praise and glorify God forever and ever.  No more death, nor tears, nor pain, nor sorrow, nor any vile, wicked thing will come to pass.  

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."  ~Revelation 21:4

Yes, we are all perfectionists.  How will you use that?  For good, or for evil?  Will you become full of woe, or zeal for the kingdom of Christ?

Remember, we all fail.  We are never on sure ground unless upon the Solid Rock.

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."  ~1 Corinthians 10:12

But, we do have assurance in Christ.  We may not be a luminary who is known for good works; but we can do all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

What kind of a perfectionist are you?

Random Rambling

I do believe we Georgians are in for some beautiful weather this week.  Today is quite chilly out, but warm weather is coming!  Sunday we received some rain, and now the grass is starting to turn green!  How I love spring! (until the newness wears off, y'all will be hearing a lot of this.)

Y'all haven't even begun to realize the depth of my impatience.  Good thing I'm not a superhero.  Remember Mr. Incredible?  His anger and impatience cost hi a car and his job.  (I'm not strong enough to squeeze door handles flat.)  If I had unordinary powers, it would need a tight rein to keep my patience under hold.  There probably wouldn't be any salvageable furniture in the house.  Especially mirrors.

Seriously though, impatience is such an...impatient struggle!  Arg!  Everything is a constant battle.  Whether it explodes, or I lock it deeply within me, I struggle desperately.  I lose it every day.  That alone makes me impatient.  I guess I need something to bite down upon every time I get jittery and antsy.  Desperation rises in my chest, I twitch with uneasiness, and I feel like biting heads off.  Know the feeling?  Of course you do!  However, as the Bible says, we are to practice patience in all areas of life. (Ecclesiastes 7:9; Luke 21:19; Titus 2:2; Hebrews 12:1; James 1:3; 5:11; revelation 14:12)

Do you like colossal and grandiose words?  I do.  The trouble: my vocabulary is desperately lacking.  But words!  The delicious taste! .......Ahem.  Of course, no delicious tasting words pop out of my mouth.  As I've said before, I am very incompetent.  I fail to produce knowledgeable words.  I usually end up sounding like a complete idiot.  The looks that follow don't help either.  I have found that inmost cases it is better for me to keep my mouth shut.  However, then I come across as a terribly reserved person.  Mark Twain summed me up quite well:  "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt".

Liberty turned seven months yesterday.  *sniff*  She is growing up way too fast!  Just look at her.

Before long she will be crawling, then walking.  What happened to the little baby of yesterday?  She is getting so big!  Time flys by much too fast.  Isn't she just a darling? ♥

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Our family has been trying to to practice our music more.  While we were waiting for Liberty's arrival, we slacked off--completely.  Mom couldn't even hold her guitar over her bulging stomach.  Now we are trying to get back on track.  So far we practice twice a week.  Not very much, I know, but it's better than nothing. (give us a little bit of credit.)  We hope to gain some ground.  Hopefully soon we can add in more time to play.  Seems like we have so much time on our hands, yet the days are flying by like a swift wind.  What is gong on here?

How is everyone adjusting to the time change?  I must admit, I still don't feel adjusted.  Already it's been a week, but I still wake up feeling sklunklish.  I wake up every morning feeling weary, cranky, and very pained. (ME? At my age?)  I love the longer days however.  Now, even at six o' clock, light still reigns amidst the trees.  I hated disliked the soon-closing-darkness during the winter.  Spring and summer days are my favorites. (watch me cry about the intense summer heat.)

St. Patrick's day was a green day for me. (is that good or bad?)  Yes, of course I wore green!  I wasn't planning to get pinched.  But, I found something out which interested me: Calvinist Protestants wear orange; Catholics wear green.  Now of course I'm not a Catholic.  I proudly stand up as a Calvinist Protestant!  Yet I wore green.  Oops.  I plead not guilty.  I honestly did not know.  I'll have to look that up.  I had not heard of it until one of my friends on Facebook mentioned it.  I'll have to check with my dad.  He will know--he knows just about everything.

For those all around the world, I sincerely hope y'all receive gorgeous weather soon.  Did I mention it is now the first of spring?  I'm ecstatic with joy!  Saturday, the first day of spring, was a beautiful day unlike no other!  Warm with sunshine and cool winds.  The perfect day for going to the park. (which we did.)  Blessed be sunlight and springtime!  How we delight in thee!  Praise God from whom sunlight flows!  How we truly delight in Thee!

Recipe Day!

Cheesecake-Topped Brownies

Preheat oven to 350*

• 1 package of fudge brownie mix
• 1 package of cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp of butter, softened
• 1 tbsp of cornstarch
• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp of vanilla extract

Prepare brownie mix as directed on box.  

For cheesecake mixture:  Beat cream cheese, butter, and cornstarch until fluffy.  Beat in condensed milk, egg, and vanilla until smooth.  Pour cheesecake mixture over brownie batter.  Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until top is lightly browned.  Store in refrigerator after cooled.

The Myth of Perfection

I recently came across a very interesting article by Jasmine Baucham, authoress of Joyfully at Home.  It perked my interest extremely.  It was not a fortuitous circumstance that I happened upon the article--no, I was meant to read it, for a very special purpose.

But, before I give you the link, listen for just a moment.  Girls, we all know that there is no such thing as perfect beauty, remember? (Hey, I just came up with a title for another post!)  The media distorts true beauty (watch this to believe) and makes girls out to be beauties with perfect naturalness.  Whatever.  Throw that out of your mind.  We all have flaws; there is no denial.

Now that we girls should know the truth (if you are still having trouble, I can recommend other great articles to read), let's take a different step.

I love how well Jasmine writes her articles. She says this about young women: 

"For so many of us young women, our ideal man might look like [insert wildly attractive movie star's name here] on the outside, but, on the inside, his identity comes from making us happy. He is fine-tuned to meet all of our desires -he caters to our every romantic whim. He never disappoints us. He never aggravates us. He never falls short of our expectations, even though they hover somewhere in the stratosphere."

Does that stun you?  It hit me like a lightning bolt.  My mouth gaped open, my eyes grew wide, and I was left dumbfounded.  Do I really do that?  I wondered.  Yes, ye I do!   Shocking.  Here I don't want my future husband expecting me to look like a movie star (slim, trim, and dazzlingly beautiful), but I will actually compare him to the perfect Prince Charming, or any other famous movie stars (you know, the one with the cute dimples, the tanned skin, the flashy smile, and the deep, dark eyes?)!  How presumptuous is that?!  We girls are hurt when any men place such high expectations upon us, but we'll go as far to expect perfectness from the man we marry!  How preposterous!

We are all guilty, men and women.  You may do so consciously or subconsciously.  Men automatically expect women to look like the actresses and models they see on TV, and vice versa.  We are all expecting lies.  Perfection is not real.  True, movie stars may seem different and unusual, but they are still flawed human beings.

What are your expectations for your future spouse?  Are they supposed to be a certain height and weight?  Are they supposed to have even, white teeth; full lips; certain eye and hair color; flawless skin; perfectly shaped nose? (insert any physical attributes.)  You'll be searching your whole life without success!

What is wrong with the people of our society?  Why is truth so distorted?  Walking through town we can see the diversity of man and woman: short ones, tall ones, skinny ones, large ones, black ones, white ones, and all the ones in between.  Why then do we automatically dismiss those images from our minds and presume that our future spouse has to be special?

Dear men, young men, and boys who read my posts, I just wanted to apologize for my fellow womankind and myself.  We expect y'all to display perfect behavior and gallantry, not to mention perfect physical attractions.  We girls have messed up, but an important reminder: we all are flawed. Y'all must be patient, just as we must be.  No one is a real Prince Charming, or even Mr. Knightly or Mr. Darcy.  Although fictional characters like they had flaws, we girls still measure men to meet such standards, because they seem to be such perfect examples of manhood.  We should all know that no one is perfect except our Savior, and we as humans can never be.

Jasmine Baucham is a highly perceptive and zealous young woman.  I relate to so much of her writing, although my tastes are quite different from hers. (*smile*)  If I had not read her articles, I might have continued on in my ignorance (of which I have a lot.)  I thank God for her influence in many aresa.  Now that you have listed to my incompetency, please read her article.  She expressed herself much better than I.

She is also going through a series on her blog called Joyfully Content.  You can read the introduction here, the first post here, and the second post here.  The series continues on Monday.  Please read with an open heart.  I know I've given y'all much to read, but it will be worth it, I promise.

You don't want to believe a lie, do you?

Random Rambling

I love the sunshine.  There is nothing like a cool, spring day with the warm sun caressing your face.  Here it is in March already and I cannot tell you how much I long for beautiful, warm days.  I long for the fresh green grass, the budding trees, the blooming flowers, and all the vibrant colors.  How I love spring! (except for the seemingly endless spring rain...)  After the long and dreary winter, spring revives the heart to new horizons.  I am praying desperately that spring comes to stay.  I must say that I'm tired of cold and warm being combined.  I want SPRING!  I'm sure everyone else feels the same way.

I just realized that it has been three weeks since I've rambled. (not that y'all miss it, I'm sure.  Who wants to listen to my randomness anyway?)  Last week was Daddy's birthday, and the week before I was feeling just a wee bit lazy, so I skipped it. (GUILTY!  We all have our lazy days.)

As I was cogitating what to ramble about today (yes, I actually think about what to ramble), I was wondering if perhaps my rambling days are gimpy.  Am I too random?  Hmm.  Should I be more earnest?  Is it just plain rigmarole?  Any suggestions would be welcome. (that is, if anyone wishes to speak up.  Perhaps you are shy--like me!)

Hmm, me shy?  You might be surprised as you read what I write.  Yes, I can be terribly shy at times.  Mama said I was so shy as a little toddler that I would hide behind her skirts every time we went anyplace, and I would never talk to anyone, period.  I've grown out of that, thankfully.  Can you just imagine me hiding behind my mother's skirts, still?  How novel!  Although I may be loquacious in my writing, I can assure you I am not that way in day-to-day life.  Well not as much anyway.  Most of the time I blurt out insipid and incongruous things. (Who could have guessed, right?)  I am very incompetent.  My mind works better when I use a pencil, rather than my mouth.  When I speak, I grasp hopelessly for the appropriate words.  I wonder if I even make sense to those around me?

I must say, I envy those who are great orators.  They can capture the attention of crowds with their eloquent speeches.  Ha!  If I tried to do so, I would stutter around, blush beet red, stutter some more, then burst into tears!  I could never ever make speeches.  My pen will have to be my weapon.  For you orators ought there, keep blabbing your mouths. (is anybody even listening to them fancy speakers?)  Now, enough sarcasm. (I wasn't being cruel, I was trying to laugh my weakness off.  C'mon now, you didn't really think I was being mean?)

All these questions through my post, you really don't have to answer every single one, unless you really want to of course.  I'm afraid you would get pretty lost. (Do I just like leaving people hanging, or do I like talking to myself?  Myself: the only person who really listens to me.)  *sigh*

Do y'all like Mondays?  I really do hate Mondays.  The weekend is over, I feel discouraged (for-who-knows-what-reason), everything seems jumbled and gloomy, and I always feel like sleeping more than I should.  But those are selfish reasons.  I must remember my responsibility and duty.   We all must.  So, I'll put a smile on my face, a song on my lips, and cheer in my heart.

What shall I sing?...

Recipe Day!

Biscuits

 Preheat oven to 500*

• 2 c of self-rising flour
• 1/4 c of shortening or butter
• 2/3 to 3/4 c of milk

Measure flour in bowl.  Cut in shortening until mixture resembles course crumbs.  Blend in enough milk until dough leaves sides of bowl.  Shape dough into round balls and place on pan.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

In Times of Trial

"The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." ~ Job1:21

Job's story is a sad one.  He was a righteous man, called "perfect and upright, one that feared God, and eschewed evil." (No, don't be silly here. He did not chew evil literally. What were you thinking? Ha! He shunned evil.)  God blessed him greatly with ten children, seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen,  five hundred female donkeys, and a very great household.  Verse three of Job chapter one says that he was the greatest of all the men of the east.

However, as we all know, disaster was to strike...

I'm sure Job started out that day feeling pretty splendid.  Another day to praise God and live in contentment.  He could have woke up feeling refreshed and eager for a new day, until...

A servant came running up to Job with the news: the Sabeans raided  a section and took away the oxen and donkeys, killing the servants who tended them.

Another servant comes running in haste with more news: a great fire from heaven burned up all the sheep and servants.

Another servant brings yet even more news: the Chaldeans raided a different section and took away the camels, killing the servants with the edge of the sword.

How terrible Job must have felt after all this!  All of his worldly possessions--gone.  Still, he must have sighed with relief at the thought: at least my family is safe!

However, another servant came with the last news: a great wind came and smote the house of Job's eldest son, crashing it down upon all of Job's children.

The agony of Job's heart must have been bitter indeed!  His precious children were lost from his grasp forever.  Surely hot tears of sorrow must have flowed from his eyes, hitting the dusty ground as they fell.  But what was Job's attitude through all this?

"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." ~ Job 1:20-22

What amazing forbearance and fortitude!  Would that we had his faith and trust!  However, this still is not the end.

Job is then struck with severe, sore boils.  Imagine your whole body covered in aching, burning, itching, big red boils.  Even Job's own wife told him to curse God and die!  He seemed alone and forlorn.  His grief was great.

But he was not alone.  God Almighty was near.  He was not going to let His faithful servant Job die in despair.  The Lord had a purpose in Job's suffering.

How could Job have blessed and praised God in the midst of his trial?  How could he have continued on in his grief?

He rested upon God, placing all his trust in the One who has everything under control.  We too must place our trust in Jesus Christ.  

Can we truly question His motives?  He, who created the entire universe with His word, who died the cruel death upon the cross for our salvation if we would believe, He who sets everything in motion, and even knows the number of hair upon our head, who are we to question Him?  We are nothing but fallen and depraved human beings.  He is the all-powerful God who is everything.

"Behold, He taketh away, who can hinder Him? who will say unto Him, What doest Thou?" ~ Job 9:12

"For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." ~ Hebrews 12:6

We were created for God's glory. (Revelation 4:11)  Everything we do is to bring Him honor and glory.  Our trials are part of His plan.  His glory is to be shown, our faith is to be tested, and our sin is to be removed.  We cannot question Him, for He truly has our benefit in mind.  He wants His glory to be know throughout the  world.  He wants our faith to be true and strengthened.  He also wants our sin removed so that we may not be hindered in our relationship with Him.

One day "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

In the end of Job's story, God again blessed him, but with much more than before.  God gave him fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand oxen, and a thousand female donkeys.  God also gave Job ten more children, just as before.  Isn't God wonderful?

Do we have courage to stand up tall, throw back our shoulders with determination, look our trial in the eyes, and keep marching forward?  Do we have faith to trust God in everything?

Do you?

A Tribute to my Knight in Shining Armor ~ On His Birthday

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." ~Psalm 1:1,2

The Man of God

Mighty men, valiant men, men of courageous deeds;

All have glory, all have fame--to no one will they heed.

Such men look longingly toward the sky;

All wish to be as high.

"Will we find glory, will we find fame?"

All desire the same.

There is one man different, apart from all the rest; 

He seeks neither glory or fame, nor is he in jest.

The Bible is his standard, the LORD God his aim; 

The such above mighty be, cannot compete with fame.

The man of God, so strong and true, is like a mighty tree; 

No ax can fell, no blade cut through, the might man he be.

His sword, the Word, is his only weapon, he preaches boldly, see?

He battles many enemies, "I am the man of God!" claims he.

Who is this man so strong and true, who is a mighty tree?

The man of God, God's own right hand, yes! My father it is he!

The Duty of Daughters

You are a daughter; therefore you must live up to that expectation.

Need an explanation?  Okay, be prepared for a long and bumpy roller coaster ride: thrilling, yet life-changing.

Let's begin at the beginning.

When God first created mankind, He created both male and female.  Wait, that still isn't the very beginning.  A little farther back...

It was the sixth day of Creation.  The LORD God had already created Adam and the many divers animals.  Adam was given the task of naming every beast of the field.  But after the task was finished, there was no helper comparable to him.  God then took a rib from the sleeping Adam and made Woman, whom Adam called Eve.  She was his help meet.  (Genesis 2)

From the beginning of the world, woman's place was clear: she was to be man's helper.  Every woman is the help meet to her husband.  That is the definition of a wife.

Genesis 2:24 says, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."   One flesh.  A husband and wife are to be joined together for life, both fulfilling their purpose in that life.  Man is the provider and bread-winner of the home (1 Timothy 5:8); woman is the keeper of the home (1 Timothy 5:14).  Each has their own individual responsibility and purpose ordained by God.

Up through the centuries, woman has became bold.  Women wanted independence and status in the world.  The skirts and aprons, pots and pans, babies and diapers, cleaning and cooking, submissiveness and honor, and all the qualities of a proper, good woman of the house were thrown into the garbage.  To replace such things: smoking, loud speeches, obnoxious voices, manly clothing and haircuts, careers, and college degrees have crept in, polluting woman's role.  Women are no longer satisfied to marry a godly man, have babies, take care of the house, prepare meals, sew, clean, help their husband in his work and business, thus maintaining a proper and orderly house.  No, they want to head off to college for four years, graduate with a diploma and go into their career, then maybe marry by age 27 and have one kid, still keeping their beloved career. 

Woman thinks that she "can do anything a man can do."  However, men cannot do everything women do, and women cannot do everything men do.   God did not create us that way.

Sadly, because of woman's desire to be free of man's rule, the women of today no longer understand a true woman's role.  We have been brainwashed into thinking we are every bit as good as a man.  We have been taught that women are to be independent and strong, knowing how to get what she wants and willing to do anything she wishes.  

What are the consequences?  Less and less families, more and more women employees, more and more illegitimate babies, women politicians, etc.  Less true wives and mothers, less homemakers, and a whole lot less femininity.  The society of woman is in a mess.  Let's go a little further and say that the whole of society is in a mess.....the whole world is in a mess!  Woman has lost her role in life.

What has this to do with daughters? you may think.  We're not wives yet.

While you are at home, your father is the head over you.  You submit to him.  That is the greatest preparation you can have to one day submit to your own husband. (Ephesians 5:22-24)  (Have trouble with submitting? Read this amazing article.)

Do you plan to go to college?  Do you plan to have a career?  Do you even plan to get married and have babies one day?  Lord willing, I plan to do the latter.  No, I'm not going off to college and I most certainly am not having a career outside the home.  God did not intend for women to have equal status in the world as men.  True, we are all of equal worth in His eyes, but He gave us different positions.  Woman is the wife, the mother, the keeper of the home.  Why do women and men have to do the same things?  As I said before, men cannot do everything women do, and women cannot do everything men can do.  They only think they can.  We all can be smart and gifted, but for different purposes.

Now that we have woman's true place in life figured out, what about the daughter?  One day the daughter will be grown up and get married.  Then she will have the duty and responsibility of being a wife and mother.  How will she know what to do?  Most young women today don't even know how to cook or clean or take care of babies, much more keep a house in decent running order.  How will a daughter know?  By learning at home.  Home is the best place to learn, the only place to learn.  College sure doesn't teach young women the necessary skills of running a household.  We daughters are to learn under our parents' tutelage.     From a very young age we can learn to clean house, cook meals, take care of babies, plus helping our fathers to progress their vision or business.  We will one day be a help meet (Lord willing) to our own husbands; therefore we can prepare for that day by helping our fathers.

Have a servant's heart.  Be willing to help out at anytime.  We are naturally selfish creatures, but as a very wise woman made clear to me, we women are not to progress our own desires, our own visions, our own wishes.  God created us to help men.  That means we are to help progress their desires, their visions, their wishes, not our own.

I've struggled myself in this area, and honestly, I have not been the daughter I should be.  I have been too caught up in my own desires, not my father's. (Take my writing attempts: I have been too busy with myself, when I should have been helping him. Like the very wise woman told me, we can still develop our own gifts that God has given us, but we are to perform our role in life first and foremost.)  How will that one day look to my future husband?  If I don't help my father out with his vision, what cause would there be to make a man think I would be a proper and helpful wife? (not that that should be the only reason we daughters help out our fathers. Please don't misunderstand me.)

I don't want to be seen like that.  Now I need to refocus and have a helping heart.  I scold myself for my lack of productiveness and earnestness.  However, just because we girls mess up doesn't mean we give up altogether. No!  Fail is not an option.  Let's start preparing for our own husbands (whether we get married or not) by preparation in the home.  I determine to reevaluate myself and get back on track.

Our single years are precious; we'll never regain them.  Do we want to waste them in idle longing, wishing and waiting for Prince Charming to ride up on a white stallion and take us off to fairyland?  Or do we want to be fully trained and prepared, having used our single years for the glory of God and for the help and benefit of our family?

Which will it be?  Will you embrace your duty?

Great places to check out for more additional info:  

Covenant Devotion

Visionary Daughters 

Joyfully at Home