May

The Proverbs 31 Woman – Living with Purpose and Grace

As we close out our Graceful Strength series, it’s only fitting that we end with one of the most iconic portraits of a faithful woman in Scripture: The Proverbs 31 Woman.

This passage isn’t meant to be a checklist of perfection—it’s a celebration of a woman who lives with strength, dignity, and purpose. She’s not flawless. She’s faithful. She isn’t praised for her appearance or possessions, but for how she fears the Lord, cares for her household, and walks in wisdom.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
— Proverbs 31:25

That one verse alone speaks volumes. In a world full of worry, fear, and comparison, she laughs. Not because life is easy, but because she is anchored in purpose and grounded in faith.

A Woman of Strength, Dignity, and Purpose

In Proverbs 31:25–31, we see a woman who wears her strength and dignity like a garment. Her strength isn’t about physical power—it’s about resilience, confidence in God, and unwavering devotion to her calling.

She works with excellence, speaks with wisdom, and nurtures her family with love. She’s respected not just for what she does, but for who she is.

And here’s the truth: this isn’t an unattainable ideal.
It’s a reflection of what God cultivates in all of us—when we walk in His ways, trust His voice, and embrace our divine identity.

You don’t have to be everything to everyone.
You simply have to be faithful to what God has called you to do—and He will fill you with the strength and grace to carry it out.

Balancing Work, Family, and Faith with Grace

Today’s woman wears many hats—mother, employee, business owner, wife, caregiver, friend, ministry leader. Balancing all of these roles can feel overwhelming.

But what we learn from Proverbs 31 is that wisdom and grace come from prioritizing God first. When our relationship with Him is the foundation, everything else falls into place with better perspective and peace.

She rises early. She serves diligently. She makes decisions with wisdom.
But most of all, she honors God in everything she does.

Whether you work from home or outside of it, whether you’re raising little ones or caring for aging parents, whether you’re married or single—your work is holy when it’s done with love and faithfulness.

Women Who Hold It All Together

In my Louisiana Creole culture, I’ve been blessed to know many Proverbs 31-type women.
Women who wake up early to prepare food for their families.
Women who pass down recipes, prayers, and wisdom with pride.
Women who serve their communities, care for children not their own, and lead in both quiet and courageous ways.

They may not call themselves “Proverbs 31 Women,” but their lives reflect her strength and dignity. They laugh, they labor, and they love deeply.
They remind us that faith, hard work, and love of family are worth protecting.

Challenge for the Week

Reflect on what areas of your life need a fresh dose of grace.
Ask God to show you how to walk with strength and dignity in the season you're in.
Thank a woman in your life who embodies Proverbs 31 traits—her faithfulness deserves to be celebrated.

Final Encouragement

You don’t have to look like the world’s definition of “successful” to be powerful in God’s eyes.
You are already clothed in strength and dignity because of who you are in Christ.

So show up with love. Work with excellence. Serve with joy.
And when the days get hard—laugh anyway. God has given you everything you need to live with purpose and grace.

You are strong. You are worthy. You are a woman of God.

Blessings,

Liz

Trusting God’s Plan for Your Life

One of the most beautiful examples of graceful strength in the Bible is found in the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. When we meet her in Luke 1:26-38, Mary is a young woman living a quiet, ordinary life. Yet, in a moment, everything changes.

An angel appears and tells her that she has been chosen for something extraordinary—to carry the Son of God into the world. Her life, her plans, her future—everything would look different from what she imagined.

And yet Mary’s response is not fear, resistance, or hesitation. It is faithful obedience.

"I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled."
— Luke 1:38

In that moment, Mary teaches us a lesson that still challenges and encourages us today: God’s plan may not always make sense, but it is always good.

Mary’s Response: Faith and Obedience in the Unexpected

Mary could have said no. She could have focused on all the risks and the unknowns. She could have let fear and insecurity rule her heart.

Instead, she chose trust.

She didn’t have all the answers. She didn’t know every step. But she trusted the One who had called her.
She surrendered her plans and embraced God’s greater purpose, even when it would cost her comfort, reputation, and control.

Mary reminds us that saying "yes" to God is rarely about knowing everything in advance—it’s about trusting His heart when the path ahead is unclear.

How to Say “Yes” to God’s Calling

We may not be called to carry the Son of God, but we are each called to carry His presence and His purpose into the places He sends us.
Saying “yes” to God’s calling often means:

Laying down our fears and stepping forward anyway.
Trusting His timing over our own.
Embracing humility, knowing it’s not about our strength but about His power working through us.
Responding with a servant’s heart, willing to say, “Lord, whatever You ask, I will do.”

When God calls you, He is not looking for perfection—He is looking for a willing heart.

Serving with Love and Hospitality

In our Louisiana Creole culture, there is a deep tradition of hospitality and service—women who open their homes, their hearts, and their hands to bless others.

Whether it’s welcoming guests with a warm meal, offering prayers and support in times of need, or creating a place of belonging and love, Louisiana women embody the spirit of saying "yes" to serving others.

Much like Mary, they model graceful strength—serving not for recognition, but out of love for God and for people.
Their lives remind us that small acts of obedience can lead to great movements of God’s grace.

Challenge for the Week

Reflect on where God might be calling you to trust Him more deeply, even when the plan feels uncertain.
Ask God for the courage to say "yes" to His purposes for your life.
Find one small way to serve someone this week with a heart full of love and humility.

Final Encouragement

You do not have to have it all figured out to walk in God’s plan.
You simply need a heart that says, “I am the Lord’s servant.”

Just like Mary, your faithful “yes” has the power to impact generations.
Trust His calling. Walk in His grace. Say yes to the life He is inviting you into.

He is faithful, and His plans for you are greater than anything you could imagine.

Blessings,

Liz

Deborah – Leading with Wisdom and Courage

When we think of strength and leadership in the Bible, Deborah’s story stands out with power and grace. She reminds us that God equips women not just to nurture and serve—but also to lead with wisdom, courage, and faith.

In Judges 4:4-10, Deborah is introduced not only as a prophetess but also as a judge of Israel—a rare and honored role. She led during one of the darkest times in Israel’s history, when chaos and fear ruled the land. Yet Deborah didn’t shrink back. She rose up with boldness and clarity, ready to lead her people toward victory.

Deborah’s Story: Leadership in the Face of Challenge

Deborah was a woman of wisdom who listened to God and spoke His truth with confidence. She was a peacemaker and a warrior, balancing strength with grace.

When Barak, the military commander of Israel, hesitated to go into battle without her, Deborah’s courage shined even brighter. She wasn’t afraid to stand firm, even when those around her were uncertain.
She said:
"Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?"
— Judges 4:14

Deborah didn’t lean on her own strength—she leaned fully on God’s promises. She led with a heart that trusted God more than the circumstances around her.

God Uses Women to Lead and Bring Peace

Deborah’s life teaches us that leadership is not about titles, age, or background—it’s about obedience and faithfulness to God’s calling.

Today, God still calls women to lead—

In our homes, guiding our children and families in love and truth.
In our churches, mentoring and ministering with wisdom and strength.
In our communities, standing for justice, peace, and compassion.
In our personal lives, leading by example in faith, kindness, and integrity.

If you feel God tugging on your heart to step into a leadership role—whether big or small—know this: you are not alone. He goes ahead of you. He equips those He calls.

Leadership often begins quietly—by showing up, standing firm, speaking truth, and encouraging others in the love of Christ.

A Louisiana Connection: Leading with Grace and Strength

Growing up in Louisiana Creole culture, I saw firsthand the strength of women who led not for recognition but out of love.

Women who led prayer meetings at church.
Women who kept families connected across generations.
Women who spoke truth in quiet conversations and bold actions alike.
Women who led through storms—both literal and spiritual—with unwavering faith.

These women carried burdens we could not always see but did so with a graceful strength that held families and communities together.

They remind me so much of Deborah—wise, courageous, and faithful.
And they remind me that true leadership always points back to God, not ourselves.

Challenge for the Week

Reflect on where God may be calling you to lead—in your family, your friendships, your church, or your community.
Ask God for wisdom, boldness, and grace to lead well.
Look around and encourage another woman who is walking in leadership. Remind her that her strength matters.

Final Encouragement

Leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being faithful.
It’s about showing up, trusting God, and being willing to lead with wisdom, courage, and a heart surrendered to Him.

Deborah didn’t lead because she was the strongest warrior—she led because she listened to God and moved when He said, “Go.”
You, too, have a place in God’s story.
You, too, have a call to lead where He has placed you.

Walk forward in wisdom. Stand strong in courage. Lead with graceful strength.

Blessings,

Liz

Hannah – The Power of a Praying Woman

May is a month of celebration—a time to honor mothers, mentors, and the incredible women who impact our lives through love, faith, and strength. As we begin our new series, Graceful Strength, we turn to one of the most powerful examples of faith in the Bible: Hannah.

Hannah’s story, found in 1 Samuel 1:10-20, is a beautiful testament to the power of a woman who refuses to give up on her faith, even when her heart is breaking. She reminds us that persistent, surrendered prayer can change everything—not just for ourselves, but for generations to come.

Hannah’s Story: Prayer, Surrender, and Faithful Waiting

When we first meet Hannah, she is deeply burdened. She longs for a child but has faced years of disappointment and heartache. Still, instead of giving up, Hannah turns to the Lord.

"In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly."
— 1 Samuel 1:10

In her prayer, she pours out her soul before God—raw, honest, and unfiltered. She surrenders her deepest desire to Him, promising that if He blesses her with a son, she will dedicate that child back to God.

And God answers.

But what makes Hannah’s story so powerful isn’t just that she received what she prayed for—it’s how she trusted God through the waiting and how she kept her promise once her prayer was answered.

Hannah’s faith wasn’t just about getting what she wanted—it was about trusting God’s plan even when it hurt. It was about believing that God’s timing and His ways are good, even when they didn’t make sense in the moment.

The Power of Persistent Prayer

Hannah teaches us something that so many women before us and around us have lived out: Prayer is powerful. Persistent, faith-filled prayer is not wasted. It moves the heart of God, it strengthens our own hearts, and it builds a legacy for those who come after us.

Sometimes the most powerful thing a woman can do is pray—fiercely, faithfully, and without giving up.

Prayer transforms our circumstances.
Prayer transforms us.
Prayer invites God to do what only He can do.

If you are in a season of praying and waiting—for a child, a family member, a breakthrough, or a dream yet unseen—Hannah’s story reminds you: God hears. God sees. And God moves in His perfect time.

Praying Matriarchs and Faithful Women

In my Louisiana Creole culture, strong women have always been at the heart of faith and family.

From mothers and grandmothers who gathered their families around the table for Sunday dinners, to aunts and church mothers who filled the pews with prayer and wisdom—faithful women have kept the flame of hope and belief alive for generations.

Much like Hannah, these women knew the power of prayer. They covered their families in intercession. They believed for healing, provision, and protection even when the odds seemed impossible. Their strength wasn't loud or showy—it was graceful strength, rooted in a deep, unwavering trust in God.

Today, we stand on their prayers. And like them, we are called to cover our families, our communities, and our dreams in prayer—trusting that God is still in the business of answering.

Challenge for the Week

Spend intentional time in prayer each day, bringing your deepest hopes before God.
If you’re waiting on a promise, surrender it to God again with open hands and trust.
Reflect on the women in your life who have modeled faithful, persistent prayer. Maybe take a moment to honor or thank them.

Final Encouragement

You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to have everything figured out. You just need to come before God with an open heart—like Hannah—and believe that He is faithful to hear, faithful to answer, and faithful to write a beautiful story in your life.

Your prayers matter. Your faith matters. Your graceful strength leaves a legacy.

Keep praying, keep believing, and keep trusting—God is at work even now.

Blessings,

Liz

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