I strive to live my life according to the principles of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31.  There are seven characteristics highlighted in that chapter and I have expanded each in my story.  I am not “perfect” at any of them, but I try each day to get better.  This is so far from the way I lived in the past that I have a lot of opportunities for growth!

It’s a good thing that I’m not expected or expecting to be perfect, I can rely on the One who is, so the first priority in my life is developing my relationship with Jesus Christ. To accomplish this I spend time daily in His Word and in prayer.  Can you imagine having a relationship with anyone without  learning about them and talking to them?  That wouldn’t create a very strong bond in my opinion!

The most important human relationship I have is the one with my husband.  We work diligently to maintain a healthy relationship; by watching for the “little foxes”, the vineyard of our life is able to stay intact.  The family structure can only be as strong as our marriage, so it gets top priority.

As the mom of the family, it is my job to create a warm, nurturing environment.  It doesn’t matter which kids are biologically related; when they are in my home, they are mine. Sometimes the balancing act gets a bit tricky when trying to meet the needs of all three kids while life happens to us, but they are so worth it!  When I’m tired or feeling at my end, all it takes is a phone call from my away-at-college son, a smile from my sparkly daughter, or a sincere and unexpected compliment from my teenage son to set my priorities straight again.

Our home is the center of our world, our calm oasis in the storm of life.  We strive to make it a place that welcomes everyone who enters, and embraces each person as a special gift.  It is a big part of my job to intentionally create this environment for our family and friends.

As a steward of my family’s resources, it is up to me to use them wisely, whether they are in the form of time, talents, or treasures.  I do work fulltime as a teacher because during this season of our life together it makes sense for me to do so.  Beyond contributing in a financial way, it is my responsibility to allocate the resources that we have in a responsible way for the greatest good.

Related to using resources wisely is the idea of using experiences wisely.  In that vein, I try to reach out to other women who are currently in situations I have lived through.  If I am able to use my past, as painful and tarnished as it may be, to give others hope then there was a reason for it.

Finally, I try to meet the needs of others in my community.  Like the story about the little boy throwing starfish back into the sea, I may not be able to help everyone but I can make a difference in the life of one.

~Peggy

Verses that speak to me

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.