A Woman of Substance

Written by Cathy Whitney

"As a woman with many responsibilities, some self-imposed and others that I can't ran away from, I find myself going back to the same thing over and over again. I desire to be a pure, natural, approachable, available and all rounded woman after God's own heart. The woman that God intended for me to be.

Now approaching ten years of marriage, 2.5 kids later, I have at least picked up a few things that strengthen me, things that push me to the next day and hold me up in the midst of all things woman

• Being approachable: I have found this to be liberating, uplifting and a joy filler. For me, a woman upholds the community. A woman holds together the home. A woman encourages, blesses and nurtures. In our daily routines of life, how open am I? Am I a person that another woman would approach if they had a question, a prayer request, or a need? When people look at me, do I look arrogant? Am I snobbish? Am I closed-minded and would people avoid to approach me? The energy that comes from a woman should be one that is pure, joyful and exciting not just for ourselves but for others around us

• Being a builder: Many times as women, we are overwhelmed by the need to share information, give our opinions and views - but sometimes, it's no longer sharing, it's gossip. Instead of building, encouraging and lifting a person, we find ourselves participating more in 'sharing' about someone. Sometimes it's too late to stop...because the stories are juicy. So, we choose to continue and by the time we are done talking...we feel bad. Personally, in such moments, I can't wait to go home and repent. Now, I'm learning that it's ok to stop a conversation, pray for that person and leave it at that.

• Being available: We may not always have time, but as women we have more to give than anyone else. We are made to nurture, hug and make sure that all are ok. Of course we are to be careful on who we are available to, and how we approach some situations. Sometimes we are too busy engrossed in our pettiness to notice sisters who need us. Being of an open mind, not being arrogant and not being a snob can allow others to come to us for prayer, company and just to chat. It's ok to smile. It portrays a happy and an approachable demeanor. It's okay to take sometime to chat, encourage somebody, hug somebody and let them know that it will be ok. We don't have to be friends with the person.

• Being natural: Being vague, being vain and just plain enticed into all things vanity could destroy the calling in our lives. We can be sexy, do our nails weekly and hang on to Gucci and all....but let's not allow all of that to be what people see from us. Let others see a woman of substance. A woman who is beautiful inside and out, a woman who cares more about others than herself, a woman who is approachable, a woman who is pure, natural and all well rounded in all things"

To all my sisters, be approachable, be a builder, be available and be natural.

Love, Cathy Whitney