7 Attributes of God That You Should Desire in a Mate

A general focus on being a godly mate tends to look at specific marital roles. Women focus on what they can learn about being a godly wife and men focus on being a godly husband.  Most of us will say we want someone who loves God, but how often will we say that we want someone whose character matches the attributes of our Creator?

Review these attributes of God and consider how important they are in an earthly relationship.

1. God is not a liar or a flake. (Numbers 23:19)
2. God is patient. (Nehemiah 9:17)
3. God is joyful and has a sense of humor. (Genesis 21:6)
4.  God is the best provider. (Philippians 4:19)
5. God does not break His vows or commitments. (Psalm 89:24)
6.  God is good. (1 John 1:5)
7.  God is faithful. (Ps. 89:8)

There are many more attributes of God, but the seven above are the ones that make for a sustaining relationship of any kind – with a mate or family or even friends. Would a precious pearl want less for herself than what God wants for her?

God’s Gifts That Keep on Giving

Do you need to know if that potential mate or that business opportunity is from God? On the surface, that man or that new project appeals to your senses. That man is saying all of the right things and does a few good things. That business proposition offers a few answers to your prayers, mainly provision. However, is the man or the offer truly a gift from God? 

Below are some Bible verses that lend insight into God’s character through His giving. 

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Meditation: God does not give a good and perfect gift that comes from God will never be a lesser version of what you desire and need. His gift will always be better than what you’ve requested. 

James 4:2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

 

Meditation: God does not require us to go out and get what we desire by any means necessary. You will not have to do anything wrong or think anything wrong to have the desires of your heart. Moreover, His gifts will not require you do anything that compromises your faith. 

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Meditation: God will never promise you anything and change His mind. He is perfectly incapable of lying to you or being flaky; why would He give you a gift that is a partial truth or that He intends on taking back? He wouldn’t. 

Psalm 85:12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase.

Meditation: God is the Perfect Giver. He gives gifts that will add to our lives and not take away.

God is sovereign, just and loving. He is above all, a magnificent Giver, who would not give you something that is imperfect to His plan for your life. If He believes you to be a precious pearl, then why would He give you anything unworthy of your stature in Him? He would not though we sometimes choose people and opportunities with the belief that He approves of those choices. Meditate on His Word to increase your discernment and your faith.

Call Her “Blessed”

Her children rise up and call her blessed … ~ Proverbs 31:28 NKJV

It is the rare woman who doesn’t appreciate a sincere compliment. There is something affirming about hearing that we are kind, smart, loving or even generous.

According to the Bible, the Proverbs 31 women’s children “rise up and call her blessed.” It’s pretty safe to say that there is something they see being modeled by their mother that demonstrates the life of a blessed woman. Could it be their gratitude for all that she does for their household? Maybe she is called blessed because of her attitude. Like those children we “rise up” and call or compliment people based on something we see in them and about them that we find delightful and inspiring.

What would make you call someone “blessed”? 

Do they always offer an encouraging and uplifting word? Do they treat others well and receive good treatment from the people who surround them? Do they model humility as in apologize when wrong as well as offer forgiveness when necessary?

A truly blessed woman will exude joy, kindness and patience – the fruit of the Spirit – and she will exude a security based on what she is being given by her God.  Moreover, if you call her ‘blessed,’ then you will affirm her and inspire her as well.

Are You Holding it All Together?

She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. ~ Proverbs 31:19 NKJV

There is something admirable about the women who weave yarns, textiles and fabrics to take care of their families. They take an age old practice in some communities and countries and teach it to their daughters or the younger women in their families. Weaving can meet household needs as well as an income.

Interestingly, another definition of distaff is “of, relating to, or being a woman.” It applies to being the fiber or thread that holds it all together:  A woman.

So, are you holding it all together? Do you provide for your own well-being as you provide for the well-being of others? Are you taking care of you so that your daily stresses and obligations don’t wear you down?

The hope is that you answered ‘yes’ to every one of those questions. Some of you will answer ‘no.’

We can come become so caught up in managing the lives of those we love that we forget that we need to manage ourselves. The best way to turn a ‘no’ to those questions to a ‘yes’ is by making your well-being a priority. Exercise, eat well, sleep and rest and above all, nourish your spirit by spending time alone in God’s presence by reading and meditating on His word. 

Sisters, the best way to hold it all together for others is by insuring that you are holding it all together for you. 

God Bless,
Wynter 

Diamonds and Pearls: The Appreciation of a Woman's Worth - November 2, 2013

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Diamonds and Pearls: The Appreciation of a Woman’s Worth

A Night of Honor

Join us as we honor 10 selfless powerhouses who embody the More Than A Rib Mission, Philosophy, and Vision.( Jalene Mack, Jurodell Brown Banks, Thecia Jenkins, Lakisha Antoine, Dr. Carlin Barnes, Sharon and Ashley Cheatham, Wynter Patterson, and Donna Franklin)

A Night of Literature

This event will also serve as the official More Than A Rib book release event (authors Varion “Se7en The Poet” Howard and Rickie Chaffold)

A Night of  Art

Featuring performances by Tony Henry, Se7en, Joseph Palmore, Nikki The Kidd, Khalid and the eclectic art of Crystal Dotson Laboy

A Night of Giving

We will be accepting donation as there are cost to continue to provide quality products and events to the community. All proceeds and donations for the night will go the ARN GROUP LLC DBA More Than A Rib.

This event is to be held at Houston Museum of African American Culture, 4807 Caroline Street Houston, Texas 77004, on Saturday evening November 2, 2013, from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. This evening of celebration, honor, literature, art, and giving will be the official kick off the More Than  A Rib movement, which will support future literature, life and cognitive skills training  and other community events.

Go to morethanarib.com for contact details, review copies, booking and interviews.

Serve Where You Are

She extends her hand to the poor, yes; she reaches out her hands to the needy. ~ Proverbs 31:20 NKJV

Isn’t it interesting that there is a distinction made in Proverbs 31:20 between the poor and the needy? Our general understanding would lead us to believe that they are one in the same. In truth, these are two distinct categories of service. A needy person is not always poor; they are lacking something they need whether tangible or in the form of support.

In 2013, the Proverbs 31 woman is most likely given to view her service as a function of church duty and it is great. After all, there are many needs to be served in a church building. However, the truth is service opportunities live next door and across the street; in the next cubicle or two seats over in the board room. More truth: Our service is a part of our lifestyle as followers of Jesus. 

Some of the most beautiful testimonies of service are born of opportunities right where we are, whether at home or work or at school or even sitting in a pew. There is a woman who needs a job and an elderly woman across the street that cannot always wait for visiting relatives to help her with household chores or to take her to the grocery store. Maybe that woman who has been coming to work later and later simply needs a resource that you have to help her with childcare or caring for an ailing parent. 

Sisters, keep your hands open and your heart prepared to serve right where you are. God is always glorified in a lifestyle that includes that kind of quiet giving. 

God Bless,
Wynter 

Ask Wynter: How Can I Become More Lady-like?

Hello Wynter:

What I'm learning as I approach years 29 and 30 of my life is that for many young women, including myself, we were taught by our mothers how to be women (strong, independent, etc.) but not how to be ladies. What are some tools that I can use to take with me, or books that I can read, or materials that I can study that will teach me at this age how to adopt more lady-like behaviors. And quite frankly, is it too late to learn and adapt to such traits?

Dear Carmen:

Thank you so much for submitting such an authentic question that many young women often begin to ask themselves at this threshold in their lives. With influences ranging from family/friends to the images that we see daily in pop culture, womanhood is constantly under a microscope and continually being redefined. There is, however, one standard of womanhood that has remained persistent throughout the test of time and that is the Proverbs 31 woman. Click here to read the verses about the Proverbs 31 woman in their entirety. I mention this chapter because it’s one of the greatest tools that not only points us to how we can be more “lady-like”, but it also teaches us what God expects of us as women. The Proverbs 31 woman indicates that women should value and demonstrate the following characteristics: being moral, trustworthy, having the ability to make sound decisions, willing to work hard to increase her quality of life, she’s kind/giving, and she makes sure to consider the way that she presents herself in both looks and demeanor.  There is a quiet confidence that this woman possess, which may be quite the opposite of what we’re sometimes taught and see on a daily basis.

Beyond the characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman, I highly suggest identifying women in your family, workplace, or your church who possess the characteristics that you’re working to develop. Consider their actions and what influenced them to become the women who they are today. In speaking with these women and learning their stories, you may discover that you already possess the things that you’re seeking.

I hope this helps. Always remember Psalm 139:14 "You are fearfully and wonderfully made!"


God Bless You,
Wynter Patterson