May 09, 2016

By Sarah Ohmstede

Depending on how much you like – or dislike – housework, you may admire or disdain the Proverbs 31 woman.  In an age of comparison, it can be easy to feel inadequate when you read about a biblical super-woman.  Today, on Mother’s Day, I want to challenge you to take a different approach. Instead of focusing on how we as moms, wives, and women can never measure up to her, look at her as an excellent biblical description of what women can do.  Women can work hard and succeed, they can be excellent wives and mothers, they can act as the very strong and capable backbone of their families.  I’m thankful that the Proverbs 31 woman is included in the Bible because it gives specific instruction for women.  We don’t have to wonder what we should strive for as women … this passage of scripture details it for us!

As you read Proverbs 31, it’s important to remember that it’s a portrait of a woman’s lifetime….not just a particular season.  Just as it’s vital to remember that we only see the photo-shopped and absolute best versions of people’s lives on Facebook, Proverbs 31 highlights a woman’s triumphs.  She would’ve faced trials.  She would’ve had bad days.  She would’ve faced seasons of her life where work or family was overwhelming.  Remember that someone else wrote this about her – she didn’t say the words about herself.  We are often our own worst critic. We get to see her greatest hits…and they are great.  But she wasn’t the image of perfection 24 hours a day.  She was a normal woman, just like you and me.

We can glean much inspiration and wisdom from the Proverbs 31 woman, but we don’t have to compare ourselves to her, unless we remember to look at our own very best triumphs.  She gives us something to work toward.  If you don’t see ideal examples of Godly women in your daily life, you need only look to God’s Word. 

So this Mother’s Day, I challenge you as women in Christ, to drop the comparisons and simply revel in the fact that He has made you and is continuing to make you into the wife, mother, and woman He intends for You to be.  The standard of perfection has already been attained through Christ on the cross.  We no longer have to bear that burden. 

Happy Mother’s Day to you ALL! 

(Excerpts taken from “Becoming A Modern Day Proverbs 31 Woman” by Hilary Bernstein) 

December 10, 2017

By Sarah Ohmstede

The Christmas Season
something to think about...

This time of year always brings a certain nostalgia for me. And
also a whole lot of STRESS. Anyone else? Why is the Christmas
season so often chaotic, crazy, and downright stress filled? Clearly,
we lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas but why do we do
that? In my personal experience, I feel like sometimes we, as people
and as The Church, get caught up in doing “stuff”. Don’t get
me wrong. There is NOTHING wrong with good fellowship, shopping,
fundraisers, giving to charities and those less fortunate, or
even taking the time to painstakingly address Christmas cards to
your loved ones. What I’m suggesting is that perhaps those things
should be done throughout the year, instead of trying to cram it
all into 25 days in December. Can I lovingly challenge you, and
me, to NOT overdo it this Christmas? Take a step back and ENJOY
the season and all its wonder. There is more than enough to ponder
and contemplate this time of year, if we’ll simply take the time
to do so. May the birth of our Savior bring a new Peace and Joy to
you this Season!

Merry Christmas y’all!