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I was a tomboy growing up. I had 5 brothers. I strived to be tough like them,eat like they did (that is when I made myself like Doritos and enjoy mountain dew when ever it was available), I tried to be into the same things as much as a girl could or as much as I was allowed, much to my mother and 2 older sisters dismay.
My older sisters were the proper ladies while I was the only curly haired, wild girl in the bunch.
We girls rarely wore pants,though I owned my sacred $5 walmart overalls and wore them ragged.
My poor mother didn't know quite what to do with me.
My 2 older sisters were into homemaking,sewing,cooking.
Me?! No way,that didn't exactly scream fun to me,but more so as tedious.
Couldn't understand the appeal.
In a big family whatever you make is going to be gone just as soon as its out of the oven.
Then you had to do your dishes.
Somehow my mom managed to teach me to sew and cook.
When it came grace and elegance though I was the ugly duckling that fell on its face.
I remember my sister and I in between the ages of 5-8 my mom signed us up for ballet.
Oh,boy! Those leotards!!! 0_o I complained so much that after a few classes we stopped.
I am totally kicking myself now,cause I am absolutely fascinated by dance of every form and enjoy messing around learning basics steps of different ones (ballroom,swing,irish dance ...agh...*melts*).
All left to say I have beautiful classy sisters growing up while there was me, who if I had to sew and cook I would make a non pink john deere apron to make it interesting. (true story,don't laugh)
I am telling you all of this to kind of catch a vision of where I am coming from.
Way back to the time of long dresses and petticoats, a tomboy wasn't in existence.
You were to be a lady of grace and elegance.
A woman of dignity and propriety.
Imagine if you mixed the two.
the petticoat tomboy - A woman who is classy and graceful,but enjoys the little things, will dig in the dirt, and will change the tire on the car if there is no gentleman to do it.
There has to be a healthy balance of being a tomboy and a feminine young lady,a balance that I never caught as I entered into womanhood.
You don't need to wear pink and have bows,but there is something so beautiful about a woman dressing in beautiful modest attire and has that certain thing about her.
To be a woman who draws attention to her countenance not her body.
Who puts that little extra time into her appearance.
Looking into Gods word I found some great scriptures to catch a vision of what God intended a woman of God when it comes to her appearance.
1Cor.3:18 "But we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord ,are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
1Tim. 2:9-10 " in like manner also,that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel,with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or costly pearls or costly clothing,but which is proper for women professing godliness,with good works.
As a young woman of God and the bride of Christ how are you presenting yourself?
God created us to be true, pure, modest.
He knows our hearts.
We are to compliment that beauty given, not masking it by trying to add to it or change it entirely.
Don't try to draw attention to yourself, not with gaudy jewelery, nor fancy schmancy expensive clothes to impress others.
Modesty,humility, and true beauty.
When we are as a woman of God adorning our outward appearance that doesn't me you are limited.
But that you have a lot to work towards.
But that you have a lot to work towards.
Proverbs 31, describes a woman, whom many would call the ideal woman.
But some of my favorite things about this chapter are the verses below when it describes this woman.
Prov.31:17 "She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms."
I think this verse talks about two different types of strength the one that stands out is strength in terms of physical strength.
She took care of her body.
Our body is the temple of God in which we should take care of it with healthy eating habits and keeping in shape. I'm not saying become a fitness freak,but eat healthy meals, take walks don't let the body God has given you completely fall apart.
I know things happen as you get older and you can't control everything,but do your best to take care of yourself.
Prov.31:22 "She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple."
Not rags, not dirty t-shirts and sweatpants though those have a time and place ,but in public usually isn't the place, not pj's.
(why do people shop in their pj's?)
This woman puts an effort to make her self presentable not appearing lazy or a slob.
Prov.31:25 " Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come."
You cannot address outward appearance without touching on the inner workings.
1Peter 3:4 "rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.
Part of my biggest struggle of turning from tomboy appearances and dressing in more of a feminine manner, is how it made me appear.
I was trying to remain giving the appearance in a tough beautiful country girl vibe,
I hated the idea of appearing as a homemaking woman who seems weak, lacking in boldness and courage.
But when I picture the proverbs 31 woman I don't picture just a beautiful woman of God who is sweet,gracious, kind, wearing a flowy white dress,but also a woman who is strong and able.
You cannot keep her down, she will be rise up once again in strength.
She is smart and has discernment.
She knows when to speak boldly and when to hold her tongue.
She is a petticoat tomboy.
Adorning herself with dignity,respect,grace strength and boldness.
She is a woman of God.
She is the woman I strive to be and she is the woman I encourage all to aspire to be.
