1 Peter 3:1-7

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you [1] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

I have been thinking a lot lately about who I am...Who I am in Christ, who I was without Him, who He wants me to become...

As I search the depths of my heart I am amazed to find fruit of God's character there. I do not recognize myself...I am surprised to find that the me I knew for so long is no longer the me that I am now. And who I am now is not the me I am becoming because God is still at work!

Are you dizzy yet? Yes, I really do think like this! lol

I am truly amazed at the work God has done and continues to do in my heart. I see more and more that I almost can't believe is really there. I think it's that "imperishable beauty" I hear so much about. In ME!!! Isn't He amazing????

Oh me of little faith, I never thought it was possible! BUT GOD! But God in His goodness IS transforming me into the image of Christ. He is dressing me in robes of righteousness. He is preparing me for the great wedding feast. And, let's be honest, I hope He is also preparing me for a wedding feast here. While is has been the desire of my heart all these 10 years of widowhood (yes, on October 2 it will be 10 years!!!) to be married again "one day", I actually find myself having faith that "one day" may actually come sooner or later!

If you know me, you're laughing at me right now. I know you are! lol It's okay, I'm laughing at me too! How could I not expect "one day" to come when God told me it would??? But, there it is...I did not have faith for it!

Finally believing God will eventually make "one day" a reality is an example of me finally believing (in my heart) what I say I believe (in my head). I know, I know, it took me long enough! Well, better late than never! heehee

Marriage is only one area that God has given me faith for lately. I have more and more faith that I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:6) Again, things I have said I believe, but only now do I feel that I OWN them. Isn't He so good?

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to mold me into the image of Christ! Thank You for the trials and suffering that have produced good fruit! Thank You for Your great kindness to me! Lord, may I continue to submit myself to Your good work and see Your glory proclaimed in all the earth through my life.

In the meantime, I want to invest in who I am today...the bride of Christ. As the Lord has been so faithful to be my husband, I want to be faithful in being His bride. I found an excerpt from a book on the girltalk blog that I have already ordered from Amazon. I want to cultivate more of that imperishable beauty in my heart and this book seems to be a tool to be used toward that end.

Here's the excerpt:

“But sisters, the man who will make for you a healthy, tender, passionate, enduring, mutually fulfilling life partner is a man who prizes faith and integrity in himself and goes weak in the knees at your inner beauty too. This beauty ages well—it is an ‘imperishable beauty.’ It is this beauty that men see and appreciate as you grow through the seasons of life.” (p. 128, Doing Things Right)

I don't just want men to see and appreciate it, I want God to see and appreciate it. After all, HE is my faithful Audience of One. I want to do things right in matters of the heart based upon His Word for His glory alone!

Thanks for coming along for the ride!