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Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Blessed (11/29/04)
TITLE: Call me Blessed
By Lisa Beaman
12/01/04
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No one can get on my nerves more than someone who has it all. I find perfection extremely irritating. I hate it when someone knows all the answers, knows all the right people and does all the right things. I'd much prefer to spend my time with people like myself; those who have issues and make me feel better about my own.

Good looks, money, well behaved children, social connections and flawless graciousness all wrapped up into one human being causes me to feel insecure and inadequate. That is probably why I love reading about Bible characters such as Samson, David or Peter.

I find it very encouraging that God can use ordinary people with real life sins and problems to bring about great victories. When I read of Samson's completely selfish lifestyle, I am baffled that God chose him and then blessed by the knowledge that even he carried out God's plan for his life. When I read of David's sins and his dysfunctional family and know that he was "a man after God's own heart" (I Samuel 13:14), I am blessed by the evidence of God's grace and mercy. When I read of Peter's outspokenness in the Gospels and then read his words of wisdom in 1 & 2 Peter, I am blessed by his transformation. These are the stories I can relate to.

As much as I seek to learn from these imperfect followers, I avoid learning from the woman of all women: the one found in Proverbs 31. I usually refer to her as "that Proverbs 31 woman". She and I have very little in common. For example:

"She has no fear for her household" (Proverbs 31:21); I on the other hand, worry about having enough money for milk.

"She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue" (Proverbs 31:26); when I speak, my foot is usually already in my mouth.

"Her children arise and call her blessed" (Proverbs 31:28); my children arise and cry, "Mom! I don't have any socks!"

Her perfection causes me to see how far I have to go. Even though, I may feel uncomfortable with the challenge, I am fully blessed by studying all of God's Word. I cannot pick and choose only the passages of my preference. From the "beginning" in Genesis 1:1 to the last "Amen" in Revelation 22:21, the Bible is filled with scripture that is "God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Imperfect Bible characters may encourage me, but I am always blessed when convicted into doing better. So, I will study "that Proverbs 31 woman" and see all that she has to teach me. I will strive to be more like her example. It may take a few years, but I will work on having noble character, being diligent in my tasks and more focused on planning and preparing. Then, one day, my children will arise to find their socks neatly rolled in their drawers and they will then call me "blessed".

2004 Copyright – Lisa D Beaman

(All scripture is from the NIV)