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!
From email:
Awesome!!! Love the thought of becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman…gives me encouragement.
Thanks!!!
I have a daughter who is a single mother. Where can she get find Christian websites that deal with that?
Thanks for the giveaway, Karen! I keep thinking that maybe one day I will win one, LOL!!
The Proverbs 31 Woman…I just wish I could sit down with her and listen to her words of advise.
How do I keep calm and submit to my husband?
I imagine my funeral and what would be said at it! I want to my life to replicate that Prov 31 woman. Whenever I fail (and I will) I need to realize the grace and mercy of Christ and continuously be thankful!!
I, too, join your elite group of moms with all boys! March on Prov 31 woman!!!
I want to know how she does it all?!
I began working for Thirty-One Gifts last June, and started studying the Proverbs 31 scriptures (again) because I want to be that woman whose husband is proud of her, and who takes care of her family. I want those cahrateristics. I have learned that that woman is incredible!!! I can’t have/be all of those characteristics at all times, but I am equipped to have/be them when I need them. I just have to recognize it.
Proverbs 31 woman…how is this possible in my life right now as a single mom, 2 children, 2 jobs, how do I cloth myself with dignity and respect, when all I want to do is sleep???
Cindy
My question would be how to balance, how to keep calm, how to keep the smile on my face… I know that GOD doesn’t expect me to be perfect, but some days it is so hard! I love reading updates from the Proverbs 31 writers. I loved going to the Hearts at Home conference and hearing that GOD uses those ladies, even when they aren’t perfect. They speak the truth through all their flaws and weaknesses. That is where I want to be!! Thanks!
Honestly, when I think of the Proverbs 31 woman, I feel completely inadequate. It seems impossible to “be” that woman!
I think I looked at this as in her life time not her day. These were all the skills that she was capable of handling, just not all at once. If it was all in 1 day – did she sleep????
I wonder How this woman in Proverbs 31 balanced everything & stayed centered in God.
I recently read this highly popular scripture passage to my children and husband. Reading it with them listening intently, I heard new encouragement that I had not heard before. They, too, commented on some of the things they felt I try to do for them. It is a lot to live up to, but with God leading me in my vocation as wife and mother, I pray that my children will “rise up and call her blessed”.
Our Women’s Bible Study Group is studying the Proverbs 31 Woman. I personally have been studying it for six months and would love to read your book!
I shared verses from Proverbs 31 with a ladies group Monday night – it’s a gentle reminder, not a daily scorecard, of a goal I strive for.
I don’t know what she is, but I would love to learn!
Big smiles from the UK.
When I think of the Proverbs 31 woman, my mind goes directly to my Mama. She passed away 12 years ago and I miss her every day. If you could have a picture of the P31 woman, it would be her. I must admit that I still have a long way to go to achieve what she did. Her headstone bears the inscription “Her children rise up and call her blessed”……………….and we do.
I long to be the woman and wife God has designed me to be. I haven’t quite made it there, but I know I want to be free to accept that design. My longing comes from my desire to serve the Lord and demonstrate my love and gratitude to Him for everything He has done, is doing, and will do. Anything that will help me learn and gain wisdom to head in this direction would be a blessing!
While I strive to be the Proverbs 31 woman, I find myself falling short many days and wondering how she balanced everything. I would love to read Amy’s book to gain some of her insight and experience.
I always wanted to know what her husband did….? Was he nice? Did he help?
Reading proverbs 31 has calmed my soul, kept me on track and refreshed me in times of feeling hopeless. I only wish I would have found this scripture sooner. Thankyou for your post, so refreshing…
The Proverbs 31 woman seems to be unattainable in our hurry up and rush society, but all things are possible through God. It is by seeking Him that we see ourselves in a better light.
How can I put the Lord first before caring for 3 very young children and my husband?
The first thing I think is “where are my servants?” ;) My other question is how did she find the right balance of work, family, and charity?
I love your perspective of the Proverbs 31 woman. The doing was what I used to do. Then felt defeated when I couldn’t measure up. I think this book would be just what I need to hear.