Study on hold...

Hello sisters!
Praying that you are all well and that you are encouraged of the Lord!

As I read the "Excellent Wife" I am both rebuked and guided in my role as a wife and mother. Martha Peace is stepping all over my toes in this book!!! I fall far short of God's perfect picture of the excellent wife, but with His help, this is what I want to become. Every page seems to have me nodding my head in agreement, assenting to it's timeless and true principles but oh, how HARD it is to implement!!! Without being on my spiritual knees, I know this is an impossibility as I am selfish, selfish, selfish and did I mention I'm selfish? My selfishness oozes out of my thoughts, attitudes, words and actions. Lord, help me! I want to bless my husband, I want to create a peaceful and loving atmosphere for my husband and children. I desire productivity, not busy-ness, I desire orderliness, not perfectionism, I desire true patience, not just anger-management. I want to love my husband with a godly, heavenly love not with an idolatrous spirit that seeks to serve me. I want the joy of the Lord to bubble over into the daily activities of our lives so that He is glorified in all I do and say. How far I am from seeing this! Yet, this book is showing me that as a child of God, led by the Holy Spirit, called with a holy calling - He will enable me as I seek to please Him and know His Word more.

Lately, I've been dealing with all the different areas I have messed up - yes, I have been going through a time of self-pity and condemnation. But I am seeing that the Lord is drawing me to Him, answering my prayers to be more excellent, calling me to repentance for my disobedience and dishonor. He's slowly helping me to actively replace the lies with truth and ugliness with godliness. I find this book unique because by following Him, I will not only become a better wife, but a better mother, friend, servant, person. The principles are truly life-changing.

I pray that you are also able to glean wisdom from this book. Forgive me for not being a more dynamic facilitator! However, Susan, Christina and I have decided that perhaps we should place this book study 'on hold'. Most of you are either moving, without a computer, on the road or back to work and you are finding it hard to keep up. I know that some are just a little behind (as I am) and will continue to read the book. Perhaps one day we'll be able to continue. For those of you who want to go on with me, just email me as I will continue to read it on my own. I would LOVE your company! :-) (ohh, Wendy~~~!!)

Thanks for starting out with me! God bless you!
Love
Jules