Growing up, something would happen in life and my brother would always say "It builds character..." Even to the most trivial things...well, usually to the most trivial things! And he still says it to this day. Even though a lot of the time it would be silly things that are "building character," I think that there's a good deal of truth in the statement for daily life happenings. I also think that character building is something we need to be working on in our lives. What kind of character should we be cultivating?

I recently began reading a book entitled Becoming A Woman Who Pleases God. It is a very practical book. The first chapter is basically about the wise woman in Proverbs 31 and how we should be cultivating her qualities. There are eleven of them. I won't go into too much detail, but I will let you know what they are :) ...Virtuous(Prov. 31:10), Trustworthy (Prov. 31:11), Energetic (Prov. 31:24), Physically Fit (Prov. 31:17), Economical (Prov. 31:18), Unselfish (Prov. 31:19-20), Prepared (Prov. 31:21-22, 27), Honorable (Prov. 31:25), Prudent (Prov. 31:26), Lovable (Prov. 31:28-29), and God-Fearing (Prov. 31:30). My goal is to pursue these characteristics in my own life and cultivate a heart that loves Christ more than anything else. I like to base my decisions in light of eternity...does ____ really matter? Character does, and the heart intentions behind it. I don't know who reads this, if anyone does :) but I ask that you would pray for me that I would build my character based on God's principles and standards so that He can be glorified. 

"The inspired description of God's Wise Woman focuses on the development of what is truly permanent and noteworthy...the character of the woman." My hope is to cultivate this type of character..not because "charm is deceitful and beauty is vain," but because I want to honor the Lord and give Him glory in all that I do, for that is why I was created. Christ is the ultimate goal...life is the journey that makes us more like Him.