A Time For Resolutions...

I've been thinking a lot about my New Year's resolutions.  I want to see a difference in my life, and make a difference in the lives of others. I've been thinking about the kind of person I am, the kind of wife, friend, sister, etc.  And I am not happy with what I see. So I have decided to take 10 virtuous traits from the Proverbs 31 passage of the example of a virtuous wife, and work on those areas.

 I want to every aspect of my life to reflect a more virtuous woman! 

(Definition: A woman characterized by or possessing virtue or moral excellence; righteous; upright)

10 Resolutions to help me become a more virtuous woman in the coming year...and the years to follow. 

 

1. Faith - "A Virtuous Woman serves God with ALL of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways."  This year it is my #1 goal to follow God's will (not mine) for my life with all of my heart, soul, and mind. To stop clinging to all my desires and plans, and learn to trust Him fully.  (Proverbs 31: 26,  Matthew 22: 37-38, Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:2-4)

2. Marriage – "A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmate."  I think of all the times I have let my husband down, torn him down, or took him for granted. I don't want to be this kind of wife.  I want to be a wife who shows my husband respect. I want to be someone he can always trust, who builds him up and supports him, stands behind him and encourages him. A wife he can be proud of and brag about. Someone he loves spending time with. This is the kind of wife I strive to become in the coming year.  (Proverbs 31: 11-12, Proverbs 31: 28-29, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis 2:18)

3. Service - "A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable."  I want to be a better servant, more willing to put others before myself and my desires. To serve my husband, family, friends, or neighbors with a gentle and loving charitable spirit.  Sometimes I feel so very selfish that I am thoroughly disgusted with my own selfishness.  (Proverbs 31: 15, 31:20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13, 1 Peter 4:10, Ephesians 5:1-2)

4. Health – "A Virtuous Woman cares for her body."  I need to take better care of my body. I eat reasonably healthy, but rarely exercise, don't drink enough water, and allow myself to get run down way to easily. I need to be more conscious of what I am putting into my body and the things I am doing to hurt it both long term and immediately. My goal this year is to live a more physically healthy lifestyle. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, Daniel 1)

5. Finances -  "A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs."
I take care of the finances in our home and do a decent job. However, I could work harder to stay on budget and save more than we do. I need to also be more careful about the quality and need of each item I purchase. Just because I want something doesn't mean I need it. My goal is to do less spending on a whim/desire, and more out of necessity.  Also to be wiser with money and seek my husband’s council more often before purchasing.  (Proverbs 31: 16 & 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:10, Proverbs 21:5, Matthew 6:19-20)

6.  Work/Tasks – "A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks."  Wow, how often I clean or work when I am angry, all the while complaining to myself about my husband or whatever has made me mad! Instead I should be praising, and going about my work with a joyful attitude! This year I strive to go about my work in a way that reflects my gratitude and thankfulness for the things I am blessed with!  (Proverbs 31: 13-17,, Proverbs 31: 24, 27, & 31, Philippians 2: 14)

7. Homemaking – "A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her."  My goal this year is to be a better homemaker through the cleanliness of my home, better preparation of meals, less procrastination in laundry, and opening my home to guests more often. I also want to work on being more flexible in my need to have things perfect when having people over, and not getting so stressed out if things aren't perfect. This would definitely help me be more relaxed if I learned to let things go.  (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)

8. Time - "A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord."
I think about all the time I waste in a day. How many pointless things do I do throughout the day that are a waste of time? Whether it be Facebook, browsing the internet idly, playing silly games, online shopping, watching to many TV shows, etc.  I resolve to put the important things first in the day such as devotions, prayer, housework, studies, correspondence, etc.  I strive to live each day with a purpose and usefulness, and not waste it away with things not worth dwelling on.  (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8, Ephesians 5:15-16)

9. Beauty – "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."   This is such an important quality to possess...an inner beauty. I desire to be a woman of WORTH! To have an inner beauty that impacts other people's lives. God has given me creativity, a gift of art, an eye for design, and a sensitivity that I can use to impact others!  I don't want to waste the beauty God has given me by focusing on the outer. I think it is ok to want to look nice on the outside, but it shouldn't be my focus. It shouldn't be more important than my character. (Proverbs 31: 10, Proverbs 31:25, 1 Timothy 2: 9-10, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)

10. Mothering - "A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go."  I do not have children yet, but I hope I will be this kind of mother some day soon.  I want to be a woman who builds her house up and not tears down. A mother who gives her children a strong base and support system. Even though I do not currently have children I can watch and learn. I can work on my relationship with God so that I will be a better example as a mother. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16) 

So what are your New Year Resolutions? Would love to hear them!

~ Elle

(Check out A Virtuous Woman)