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!
The Proverbs 31 woman is what I strive to be… however, I fail in many ways but we should continually strive to get there!!
I love how each of us needs to grow into the woman we are meant to be, each in our own uniqueness,. With God’s guidance and love, as we place our trust in Him we will grow closer to Him and closer to the women we want to be.
I would love to learn more about the Prov 31 woman! All I know is I can’t be this type of woman in my own strength. I want my life and actions to mirror Christ’s and everything I do to be pleasing to Him.
I continue to strive to be a Proverbs 31 woman. I am encouraged by inspired devotionals and Bible reading, and am strengthened by prayer, praying that God will lead and direct my paths – to do what He would have me do and to say no to what I need not do.
Totally unrelated to the giveaway. But when my four year old saw the “snow covered” backyard view he declared THAT was what he wanted for his birthday. We’ve had next to no snow this winter, sadly. Even worse, his birthday is in August!! Lol. Looks like a trip north is in our future. So thanks for sharing. <3
I am curious about the verse ‘she considers a field and buys it’. Most of us that desire to submit to our hubby’s would feel like a big decision like that should be run by him first, yet it doesn’t mention that she consulted him on the purchase…….I’ve just always been curious about that! Thanks for the chance to win :)
I feel like I’m still struggling with the “doing” and in doing so I leave God further and further behind sometimes.
Snow day fun!!! Can I ever get even near to measuring up to the Proverbs 31 woman? I love God so very much, but I fall short in the prioritizing even so.
I’m terribly sorry about leaving an additional comment – I thought the comment wasn’t posted. Would you please delete the extra comments I made (including this one)! Thank you!
I’m sure God gave her strength to do it all.. But did she do all those things every single day? I’m all for receiving God’s grace when we fall short – and not beat ourselves up about it. Thank you for this giveaway Karen & Amy!
I really wonder how she did it all… I’m sure God gave her strength.. But did she do all those things every single day? I’m all for receiving God’s grace when we fall short – and not beat ourselves up about it. Thank you for this giveaway Karen & Amy!
To become a P31 type woman seems out of my reach- in terms of energy,courage and perservance and especially when I face opposition from my husband.
What a beautiful portrait of a woman! I love how her husband lacks nothing because of her. She is my aspiration and inspiration.
Ooops forgot to put my name in on my post.
I have always wondered how she got it all done in the 24 hours that God has given us all.
Then my mind says….with God all things are possible. Only thru His timing and His power would I be able to even touch anything this woman did.
The Proverbs 31 woman is someone I, like others, strive for each day. As I have gotten older, have my own family, it is a day by day attempt…I strive…but do fail. I know that as I try each day, it is God’s grace that helps me as I continue to strive towards this goal. Oh, how I love Proverbs and a chance to dig deep into it is wonderful. If the whole book is anything like this little excerpt…I will be hooked.
Let us remember that it is with God’s help that I, and we, can all be Proverbs 31 women…Let us keep our focus on God and the cross! Be blessed today because you are a blessing to someone…Have a wonderful evening!
Smiles & Blessings, Robin :)
I desire to be like the Pro.. 31 woman and so thankful the Lord is continuing to teach me and I know I have lots to learn yet. :)
Obviously, her life was built around her home, for the most part. Would like to ask how she relates to today’s busyness, how to keep first things first.
How to feel satisfied with myself when I have given my best. The new book sounds really interesting, sure to be a great read.
I saw someone comment “I have a love/hate relationship with the Proverbs 31 Woman. And that’s EXACTLY how I feel! Can’t wait to dig into this passage with Amy’s book! Thanks for the chance of winning a copy!
~Beth
I would so love to win a copy of this book. I enjoyed reading the comments. In a perfect world maybe, just maybe I could do all that the Proverbs 31 woman does…….
Have a great week-end and keep on trying to be more like Mary, and sit at Jesus feet. He is the only one who can help us become more of a Proverbs 21 woman:)
It is so freeing to know that it is a journey and doesn’t have to be done in a day.
I marvel at how she seems to juggle it all – without becoming frazzled ! Truly by the grace of God but I so wish I could be more like her.
Seems like this woman is continually in the back of my head. I’ll never be perfect and am thankful for forgiveness :)
I love the invitation to put questions or comments we might have about the lady in Proverbs 31… one of the questions I find myself asking is “did she REALLY get up before her household?” and IF she did, did she do it while pregnant, on 4 hours of sleep and having a 2 yr old and 2 dogs and a husband to take care of??? There are so many times I WANT to get up before my husband and have a nice breakfast all laid out for him, his clothes smelling of nice fresh laundry smell, but do i??? Nooooooo way. I am beat I am exhausted I am tired I am worn thin and I look at this lady and think, HOW did she do it all? Wasn’t she ever frustrated and just wanting to sleep in??? didn’t she ever just let her kid wear the same clothes 2 days in a row because it was easier? There have been so many times I feel inadequate because I do not have my family “clothed in purple”, I don;t get up before my husband, I barely get up before the “baby” who is 2 going on at least 8, and I have not considered any fields and bought them. I don’t spin, I don’t knit, I barely crochet (if the hat I am working on is any indication, it will take me another 4 months to get to the point where I can put the brim on). I do the dishes, laundry, (yes despite my earlier statement of letting my kid wear her clothes 2 days in a row…)and I buy the groceries. I don’t NOT do any of those other things because I hate being a woman or being a good wife or woman, but because so many times it easier to just sit. Or sleep as the case may be.
*whew* Sorry. Apparently I had more questions than I thought I did.
I always wondered how she did it all… but I’m learning that having the right priorities in the right order helps a lot!