As Christian young ladies, it is our goal to become virtuous daughters. But what is a virtuous daughter, and how can we become one? The thirty-first chapter of Proverbs depicts the many qualities of a virtuous woman. If we look at the different characteristics discussed throughout the passage, we can begin to form a picture of what we should be. To become just such a daughter, it is important that we look to the Lord and His Word for instruction and for an example to follow. It is only with Christ’s help that we can become what He wants us to be!

People prepare for many things: they prepare for college, retirement, events, vacation, foreign travel, etc. If they are traveling, they will research the place they are traveling to, the culture, the food, the language, and the people. Since people go to such lengths to prepare for these short-term pursuits, young ladies should be going to great lengths to prepare for something that will last longer—marriage.

Have you ever wondered what true contentment is? According to the dictionary, it means having a mind at peace, being satisfied and undisturbed—quietness. What a wonderful state of mind that sounds like! As born-again Christians, we know that no one can truly be satisfied apart from Jesus Christ! Let us turn to the Bible, and see what that most important Book has to say about our subject. There are four verses, in particular, that stand out to me.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”  ~Psalm 27:14
 
Singleness can be such a lonely, discontented period for many young women.  However, it doesn’t have to be that way! An attitude of discontentment is an inward problem of the heart.  Instead of looking outward for things that will change our circumstances, we must look inward and change the condition of our hearts.  Our Heavenly Father wants us to rejoice always, in all circumstances, and through all trials that get thrown our way.  We don’t have the “right” to pick and choose, we must rejoice in all things in order to follow in the footsteps of our Savior.  Joy and contentment are choices, not emotions, which is why the Apostle Paul wrote, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.”  

When I think back on my single years, I am thankful.
  
Thankful that God is sovereign.
  
​I am amazed at how every detail of my life, family, decisions, was purposefully preparing me for the future. I didn’t know it at the time. I wasn’t always feeling a whole lot of gratitude for my circumstances, but still—despite me—God had a plan.

As I lean against the kitchen table and gaze out the window, I quietly ask the Lord, What do You want me to do? Where do You want me to go? What should my agenda look like? What’s the next step?

Besides being an excellent ministry opportunity, hospitality provides a great foundation for building healthy Have you ever wanted to have a family ministry that was based in your own home? Look no further than your own front door! Hospitality is a fantastic way to bless others while still being able to stay at home and work together as a family. Galatians 6:10 says: “Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those of the household of faith.”

Hospitality is a powerful witnessing tool. When a family invites others into their home and offers their time, love, and service in the name of Christ, they are offering a glimpse of their Christian life. In fact, a biblical guideline for a church elder is that he be a lover of hospitality: 1 Timothy 13:2 reads, “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach."

“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding. And lo it was all grown over with thorns and nettles covered the face thereof and the stonewall thereof was broken down.” (Proverbs 24:30–31) This verse can easily be applied to a dirty kitchen, an unruly bedroom, and a smelly bathroom. It also says in Proverbs 19:24, “A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.” So girls, when our mother tells us to clean our rooms, let’s do it thoroughly. 

“Children, it’s housecleaning day!” Mother’s cheerful words struck dread in my seven-year-old heart. Ever since I could remember, I hated to clean our home. Even the suggestion of a cursory tidying of the living room nearly sent me into convulsions; and if one should mention deep-cleaning my disaster of a bedroom, I would venture very close to death. However, my mother gently reminded me of Colossians 3:23, which says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Housecleaning certainly fit in this category! Over time, the stirring truth of this verse slowly dawned on my mind, and I began to realize I was definitely not performing my duties “unto the Lord.” I was, at best, a grudging worker who half-heartedly executed the minimal requirements so I could skip outside and play. As I focused my energies wholeheartedly on my housecleaning responsibilities, I discovered a satisfaction in joyfully fulfilling my tasks in a way that pleased and honored the Lord. And, ironically, I found that I actually enjoyed some aspects of housecleaning! I do still occasionally struggle with keeping a glad heart during chore time, but I try to remember the reward the Lord gives a cheerful attitude, the reward given on this earth and in the world to come. I would like to share with you the method I used to finally conquer my dusty room and beat the cobwebs into submission.