Declaration!

Recently, I heard of a friend who carries around in his pocket a list of 100 things he wants to do before he dies. It was such an inspiring concept, that I decided to try and make my "100 things..." list to carry around with me as well. As I'm writing out as many things that I think I'd like to do before I do -- I start to think about the idea of writing out a motto for myself to live by. Thoughts like, "If I were to go to sleep tonight, and not wake up in the morning, what would people say about me at my funeral?" come rushing through my head, and while I'd like to think that people would be interested in reading about my conquests/ideas of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro or getting a tattoo, all in all, I'd much rather hear my friends, family, and even acquaintances stand up in front of everyone and talk about the type of woman that they thought I was. This is what led me to the thought of writing out motto for myself. 

I've been blessed to have had such great role models in my life. Some of the greatest role models I've had have been women, and almost every woman that I have worked with, learned from, listened to, or lived with has given me an example of the type of woman I want to be one day. The thing is -- I'm tired of me thinking that "one day" I'm going to magically turn into a collaboration of all the women who have affected my life in a positive way. I'm not going to wake up one morning and have Jan's trusting attitude or Aunt Lisa's selfless servitude. No, it's much harder to get there -- which is the reason why I've come up with this motto. This motto or paragraph is a description of the type of woman that I want to be. Something I can tangibly hold in my hand to help remind me that one day my friends, family, and colleagues will speak at my funeral, and that I don't want them to have to stretch any sort of truth about who I was.

I want to be that woman that is confident in herself. Who walks into a room and suddenly brings laughter, entertainment, peace, and gentleness all at one time. The woman who does so much for others, and rarely is seen doing much for herself. Who takes the time to appreciate what God has given her, not what God should be giving her. The friend who laughs when you laugh, cries when you cry, and everything else in between. The woman who takes care of those who need care, who loves those who need love, and shines Christ all the time for all people who see her. The woman who is carefully making and basing her decisions around what glorifies God, while also thinking about how her ministry to others can benefit from her decisions. The woman who is willing to deeply love and honor the man that God prepared for her, yet still holding her deepest love and honor for her first -- God. The woman who is nothing short of an excellent mother, not just to the public, but in her children's eyes as well. The woman who knows she's a sinner -- imperfect, impure, stained, and sinful -- yet still a beautiful daughter of the King. 

This is the woman I strive to be. This is the woman God will help me become.