In Pursuit of the Proverbs 31 Woman Giveaway with Amy Bayliss
Hey girls–You are in for a treat!
I’ve asked my cyber friend Amy Balyiss to guest post today while I work on my edits to my latest manuscript (and hang out with my youngest who has a snow day today)
See? Here is the view this morning from my back deck:
So, while I fix some coffee for me and some hot cocoa for the man-cub who will be packing to go on our church youth group’s ski trip this weekend, you can enjoy her post.
Don’t forget to leave a comment. You may be one of SEVEN winners of her new e-book!
Now, meet Amy:
Amy Bayliss is a small town Cajun girl living life in the big city. She and her husband Ryan have four children, all boys, ranging in age from toddler to teen!
Amy is a writer, blogger, and she has been “following” Jesus since before Twitter made it cool. She is the author of Pursuit of Proverbs 31. You can visit her at her personal blog, Cajun Joie de Vivre.
From Amy’s Heart: I gave my life to Christ at the age of 21 but it took me several more years to grasp what that really meant.
I got caught in a vicious cycle of “doing” in hopes of pleasing Him. I thought the verses in Proverbs 31 were my ticket to holiness.
What I discovered was that it isn’t just about the words on the pages. It is about the heart behind them.
Our Father never intended for us to mimic this lady the way we have. He created each of us uniquely. Why would we confine ourselves to a template?
On my journey to discovering the Proverbs 31 woman I found Jesus. He loved me, taught me, and at times, corrected me.
I realized that as long as we pursue Him and have a “fear of the Lord” then the natural outcome is that the work of our hands is blessed. It doesn’t happen the other way around.
We each get different results because we are unique individuals with different gifts and callings but the common thread is that we make God our priority. We acknowledge Him above all else.
In this book I cover the traits that come as a result of putting God first. We are blessed with clarity to be the best wife to our husband, the best mother to our children, the best homemaker in our home, to top it off, we are resourceful, creative, and yes, even organized. Each result is uniquely yours.
I wrote Pursuit of Proverbs 31 in the hopes that other women would be freed from the bondage of good works and freely receive the love our Savior has for them and the abundant life He has promised.
It is my hope that you find yourself, the person God created, as you read through these pages.
I would like to give away 7 copies of Pursuit of Proverbs 31. In order to enter you need only comment here, on this post, and let us know what questions come to mind when you think of the woman of Proverbs 31.
Although that is the only requirement for entering, I’d be thrilled if you’d consider subscribing to our updates, “liking” our page on Facebook and “following” us on Twitter.
Thanks for having me, Karen!
I’ve sometimes thought that the Proverbs 31 woman must’ve needed more than 24 hours in her days to accomplish all that.
Enjoyed reading the comments, and I too strive to be more like her – I would love to win a copy of this book!
I seem to continue to be eluded by the Proverbs 31 woman, but keep striving to be more and more like her.
Aw yes, the Proverbs 31 woman…. I run out of “oil” from all the busyness in my day. How does she keep her lamp burning all night? Seriously, if I were her, I’d be so tired, I’d be libel to start a cave fire.
Oh how the P31 woman torments me! Perfectionism is a bit debilitating for me, and seeing the laundry list of what it takes to be that perfect woman makes me nauseous!
Sabrina, when you are taking care of your children and your husband you ARE putting the Lord first. That’s what he called you to do. That’s what “she” does. She cares for her family.
To be only half what she is would be wonderful. Getting the heart behind the words is key.
I want to know how does she has time to do everything and do it all well?
How is that model even possible! I struggle with the every day and two children. Admittedly the past 4 years have included 2 moves, major major medical stuff, and lots of it, and we have no family near by to help us, but still. How is the Proverbs 31 model possible in the everyday. Lately she just seems to discourage me, so I know I am missing something.
The question that comes to mind for me is…how did she keep motivated?
The Proverbs 31 woman is a paragon of virtue… But her inspiration and her motiviation is from the Lord alone. So whether we measure up to the exact same standard or not is irrelevant… only that we take our inspiration and motiviation from the Lord and serve our families and our loved ones as we would want to be served. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God. 1 John 4:7
How does one woman get all of the done.?
I would love to portray the Proverbs 31 Woman in every thing that I do. As long as I’m pleasing the Lord with my life….. I suppose it’s enough.
I heard a pastor one time say that since the story came from his mother, that she wasn’t really real, but an ideal. I’ve only heard that one pastor say that, so I don’t really know. It has my curiosity though. Wonder if anyone else ever heard that?
With two teens in the house and getting married I find it so hard to be a proverbs 31 woman. I pray and practice and then it seems one bad day and I forget everything when I need it the most. Will the book deal with moms of children of all ages?
I would love to read this book & get some encouragement!
Wow! this really resonates with me this am! have been struggling with measuring up and doing a “good enough” job as a mother, wife, employee, and daughter. Let alone worrying about friend, Sunday School teacher, etc! I’m going to have to get a copy of this and also plan to share it with my church group of women who work outside the home. thanks!
Your book sounds great! 7 people will be immediately blessed and many more as it is purchased. Thank you for your faithfulness. Grace to you.
1st question that came to mind, “Is it achievable?”
Congrats on your new book, Amy!!!
I would like to read the book to find inspiration on how to be The Proverbs 31 woman.
when I think of the Proverbs31 woman, I feel like there is no way I would ever measure up.
Husband, 7 kids, very stressful & demanding full-time job, financial stressors…..ect….Lots of times when I get home from work, it is all I can do to keep my eyes open long enough to make a quick dinner before I crawl into bed at 8pm!
Would love to read your book! Blessings!
Very excited about your book! I have been doing extra study on being a Proverbs 31 kinda wife & mom, it has helped me to get a little closer to the person God intended me to be. Can’t wait to read this book. :0)
I remember a time when my husband had made me so angry I would not go to bed with him. I sat in my chair and picked apart our fight. My bible sat at the table next to me so I picked it up and it opened to Proverbs 31. I was so mad when I finished reading it because I knew I had been wrong and needed to apologize but I did not want to!!!!! I asked the Lord to forgive me and in the morning after I got out of my bed, I asked my hubby to forgive me! The Proverbs 31 woman had it together.
I have really enjoyed reading the posts of those that have written above…. just goes to show how we all differ in our struggles, yet each wants to serve the Lord and make Him the priority. How that must make Him smile ;)! Thanks for the opportunity to read and share.
How did you get everything done, be calm, and maintain all your priorities?