A Strong Woman vs. A Woman Of Strength

Proverbs 31:10 Who shall find a strong woman? the price of her is far, and from the last ends.
  

She believed she could so she did! - This attitude and proclamation was my all-time favorite drive. A strong woman believes that she's strong enough to face her journey... but a woman of strength has faith that it is in this journey that she will become strong!

God is so generous in giving strength to those who seek for it - humbling before God, admitting that our own capabilities are not enough to conquer everything. It's not really enough that you're just strong. Every woman could declare that they're but are they really a woman of strength? 

I've been enlightened by the poem written by Luke Easter. He emphasized that a strong woman is different from a woman of strength.

Sharing the first 3 stanzas...

A Strong Woman vs. A Woman Of Strength

A strong woman works out every day,
Pride in her appearance she portrays,
But a woman of strength kneels to pray,
Her soul in shape, God leading the way.

A strong woman claims she isn't afraid of anything,
Looking forward to challenges each day will bring,
Women of strength show courage in the midst of fear,
Declaring triumph through faith because God is near.

Strong women won't let anyone get the best of them,
So skilled in defenses even if they have to pretend,
Yet a woman of strength gives her best to everyone,
And even on a cloud filled day still bright as the sun.

Poetic Tribute Highlight:

A woman of strength understands that it's not about material stuff,
Knowing that before becoming a diamond first she'll be in the rough.

A woman of strength concerns herself not with judgment from others,
And will not let business interfere with commitments as a wife and mother.

A woman of strength is assured trust in God will always carry her through,
And at the Creator's appointed time she'll receive all that is justly due.

The woman of strength realizes life's mistakes no matter how slim,
While thanking God for the blessings as she capitalizes on them.

A woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls,
So when a situation arises again, she's not afraid to answer the call.

The woman of strength competes with an emotional sense of grace,
Understanding it's more important to run a Holy Spirit filled race.

A woman of strength knows it's in the journey she will become strong,
And the love of God is forever with her, no matter how difficult or long.

A woman of strength will compromise as a little give and take is needed,
Why? Because a lesson not learned the first time is soon to be repeated.

Wow! There's so much difference!Strength of a woman can be seen by her personality, perspective and spirituality. Circumstances reveal her character.

Are you sure that God is pleased on how you show your strength? Is it with complete reliance on Him?

A virtuous woman is a woman of strength - more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

There is more to BEAUTY than meets the eye..

While I was praying for the next post, God impressed me to get my old devotional book for women "Walking On: The Best of Women on the Journey" Compilation of 70 Filipino Christian Women - my favorite one. By His leading, I've grasped the book and browsed it all over again, as I have completed reading it. The first chapter is all about "Woman of Worth" which emphasizes the gift of Womanhood.

"What is the essence of being a woman?" - a very familiar beauty pageant question.

We may have different answers to this question - but God will be happier about His creations if we'll recognize our essence.

In my previous posts, we have defined a Woman. Getting closer, let's now talk about the qualities specifics and what determines her character in an identified way - beyond anyone else sees.

The first woman in the compilation is Zoraya Ruth Andam, a Filipino lawyer, beauty queen and television host. Quoting her lines in her journey as a woman...

" There is more to beauty than meets the eye. Women do not want to be remembered as a "pretty face". They desire to be affirmed for their significant and meaningful contribution to the society. Women are not inferior to men, they simply have a different role.

I came out with 3 simple points on how we can recognize woman's essence - more to beauty than meets the eye.

Not just a pretty face...

She's not just a pretty face
She's got everything it takes
She has a fashion line
a journalist for "Time"
Coaches a football team
She's a geologist -- romance novelist
She is a mother of three
She is a soldier -- she is a wife
She is a surgeon--she'll save your life

--Chorus in Shania Twain's song - "She's Not Just A Pretty Face"

From the lines above, it encompasses everything - not just a pretty face!
Women try to do great things surpassing the real definition or being a mother as the usual role in the society. Yes, God enabled women aside from creating them with an attractive and beautiful face.

Significant and meaningful contribution to the society...

 
As a sequel of the first point, let's identify some remarkable women in the society - women who changed the world.

Based on my research, Sappho (one of the first female writers) and Cleopatra (the last Ptolemaic ruler of Egypt) were the first in the list and J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter author) as the 50th as per hierarchy of years. See 50 Famous Women who Changed the World

Biblically I can note Miriam (from the old testament), the older sister of Moses who went on to become a leader of the Hebrews when they escaped from Egypt and went in search of the Promised Land. And from the new testament, giving attention to Mary who became the mother of Jesus of Nazareth and one of the few women in the ancient world whose life story we know. We see her as a young girl, a mother, and a mature woman.

From the examples given, we can attest - Indeed, women had a significant and meaningful contribution during the old times and at present.

With a different and unique role...

 
In Genesis 1:27, women are said to be created in the image of God just as men are, yet there is a distinction between the two from the beginning. Motherhood would be the main difference.

Men and women are different in every ways. Women have their own unique roles just like men do. And yet despite the differences, God puts man and woman together to work together for His glory. The woman's role in the plan of God is that one man and one woman, of equal standing before Him but of different roles, should be bonded together as one.

God has a beautiful plan for womanhood that will bring order and fulfillment if it is followed in obedience and acted according to His will. 

Fashioned for Significance

with my "Stage Mother" :D

Caring, loving, diligent, incomparable, vigorous, noble, patient, hero, all encompassing, wonder woman and a lot more! No doubt, I am describing a woman of worth - Mommy, Mother, Mom, Ma, Ima, Nanay or whatever you call them.

Yes, this is the season of remembering our great moms.
I am convinced that they really deserve to be honored not just for who they are but how they accept and act their worth as a mother. As I write about feminism, motherhood stands out in my thoughts. Not yet a mother but I would understand how significant are they in the lives of every mankind.

Seeing and feeling her love for the past 26 years, words aren't enough to exalt her.
God is so generous that He thought of creating a unique woman who can be an extension of His unfathomable grace and love. How blessed are we for having great moms who have been so sacrificial even while we were still inside their womb. Sometimes, I can't imagine how she has managed to carry and nurture me for 9 months - incomparable sacrifice!

How I appreciate my mother whenever she prepares my "food/baon", how she monitors me, how she makes "sermons", how she would keep herself wide awake to wait for me to come home at late night, how she converse with me about heart/relational matters and especially how she pursued to build and nurture our family.

God has fashioned "Mothers" for significance. He knows that we need an affection of a mother.
I believe you'll agree with me if I say they're indeed significant.

Proverbs 31 illustrates the wife of noble character - highlighting these passages...

Proverbs 31:25-30
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

I would greatly attest that we have a visible treasure that is so priceless!
I also completely understand that mother knows best! All she wants is to bring us good all the days of our lives - let's appreciate and love them more..

Happy Mother's Day to all moms out there! God bless =)