​If you’re like me and you read a bunch of Christian girl blogs, you’ll know that many – MANY – of these blogs talk about modesty and like to focus on the do’s of don’ts of what to wear. Although I love a practical approach and some of their tips are really helpful, I would like to point out that this is not another one of those articles. Instead of telling you how long your skirt should be – I’d like to explain WHY. 

If you read last week’s article; Does God think you’re beautiful? you’ll know that beauty is the essence of femininity and that women were created to be beautiful both inside and out. Perhaps beauty and modesty seems a little contradicting to you. Can you be called to resemble God’s beauty to the world and hide it at the same time? 
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​​In Christian circles we like reminding each other that beauty is not found in outward things like hairstyles and jewelry, but in having a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4). 

Another popular verse is Proverbs 31:30 which describe beauty as vain, suggesting a woman should rather fear the Lord.

Let me be clear; I’m not about to disagree with Scripture – true beauty is found in our hearts.

I am, however, going to be honest with you. The way these Scriptures have been emphasized; has left me feeling guilty. It has filled me with shame for having a desire to be physically beautiful. I happen to think God gave us these Scriptures to encourage and free us and not to fill us with guilt and shame.
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So what is His idea of beauty?

​So you know that little verse in Genesis where God says it is “not good”  for Adam to be alone? I happen to think He says the same thing about us today. Surprisingly, this article is not about marriage. It’s also not about why God decided to create women. I’m just putting it out there in case you’d like to stop reading now.

This article is about surrounding yourself with a Godly community. God designed us to function within family and church. He never meant for us to be alone.

​Over the last few years God has showed me the value of surrounding myself with Godly people who encourage, uplift and support me. In the last week or so I’ve been reminded of the importance of having such a community. Here are three valuable things I’ve learnt:

​Four years ago God sent me to live in England for a year.  I still remember standing in the airport after passing through customs. 19 Year old and teary eyed, I said goodbye to my family for a whole year (Ended up visiting them somewhere in the middle though). There I was, heading to a country where I didn’t know anyone and they didn’t speak my home language.
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​Everything before me was completely unknown, but somewhere in the midst of the unknown I felt inferior. This was what it felt like to step onto the water – so unsure if I would be able to walk, but oh so willing to try.
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​​This morning I watched a woman die. She had been stabbed. I was the one who found her. In fact, I heard her screaming just before. A few moments later I was sitting beside her when she gave her last breath.

The journey I’m on

A few weeks ago I asked God what we were journeying on. It didn’t feel like there was anything He was currently teaching me. That Friday a friend and I were planning to go to a worship night at our church. Due to an accident causing really bad traffic, we were more than an half an hour late.  I didn’t see the point in going anymore; thankfully he was a little bit more determined.