Webster’s Definition of Virtuous: as conforming to moral and ethical principles; morally excellent; upright.

Why not face it; the woman in Proverbs 31 comes off as the most perfect woman.

What a slap in the face it would be, if the passage were titled “A Most Perfect Woman.” It’s hard enough dealing with the word Virtuous and all that it entails.

However difficult it may be for any woman of God to read the passage in Proverbs and try to live accordingly, God in His infinite wisdom, created each of us Virtuous by Design.

As women we sometimes have the most difficult time understanding our worth to God. If we read Proverbs 31(10-31) without praying for an open heart and wisdom to understand, we will never see the value we have in Christ. Before we take the time to read this passage again, it may be important to go beyond it and find out how virtuous we are meant to be.

From the time God created the world, we were created to be virtuous. Genesis 1:26-27 states that we were made in the image of God. Our Father is the essence of virtue. He is virtuous and He designed us to be like Him. Once we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, the power of virtue becomes ours. We just have to take hold of that power.

For you formed by inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written
The days fashioned for me
When as they there were none of them.
Psalms 139:13-16

In a secret place, by skillful Hands, and with knowledge of who each of us would be, our virtuous forms were made. Before there was a thought of you or me on our mothers’ minds, we had a Father who designed us fearfully and wonderfully. He knew better than anyone else of our worth and understood the purpose for our virtuous design.

There was a method to God’s wonderful madness when He created us to be who we are. Read 2 Peter 1:5-8:

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJ)

To be virtuous is a character trait we develop as we grow in Christ. It starts with faith, which is simply to believe and accept. Once this occurs, our desire to be conformed and more like Christ increases. Something in us wants to become biblically moral and this is where virtue steps in. From this virtue all of the other character traits become a part of us as well, allowing our branch to produce more and more good fruit. Without virtue, we cannot develop and thus the design does not get the recognition it deserves.

Now, if we go back to Proverbs 31, we will see this woman in a new light. It’s not that she is perfect. Her branch has simply developed and is producing lasting fruit. Somehow she caught hold to the fact that she was fearfully and wonderfully made. It was this revelation that led her to become the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs who intimidates most of us.

We don’t have to be intimidated, though, because we too were designed with the same virtuous intentions.

It’s not that we all have to strive to be the best cook. We are not all called entrepreneurs. Some of us can’t sew a button to save our lives. We can’t all shop at Lord and Taylor’s; but most of us can afford Wal-Mart.

Perfection was not her goal and it should not be ours either.

Her goals were to give glory and honor to her Designer. The only way she could do this, was by walking in the path He laid out for her. This is why she did what she could. It was her calling to use the talents and gifts she was trusted with. It was why she was virtuously designed.

Her calling was not yours. Your purpose is not mine. My destiny is my own.

Each one of us was born for a specific purpose. We each have a destiny to fulfill. This is why none of us should be intimidated by the Virtuous Woman.

We are all Women of Virtue!

You were designed with Virtue in mind. You were designed with your own story. You branch awaits the fruit you will produce.

My sister…Walk Your Virtuous Path!

I love real people, especially my sisters. There is something that is special and unique about women who can just be who they were born to be without worrying about what someone else thinks about them. Women who are aware of who they are. Women who know that their story can be the catalyst for giving someone else wings to fly. Authentic women are about solutions not simply masking issues.

Authentic women live a liberated life. They are not worried about what the crowd is doing but rather what is best for what their lives. They are not women who judge or pay fault on someone to make them look bad. They live to help others with expectation. They know that they are not perfect but they strive daily to life right, nonetheless. They take time out to care about themselves because they know that care of self is just as important as care of everyone else. Yet, they live a life that serves others.

With that said, I would love to tell you who I think are the Top 10 Authentic Women of 2008:

1. Randee Krumweide – Randee is the owner of founder of the Pink Collar Club. I first met Randee in 2006 on Ryze and something about her just pulled me into her ministry. She is a Christian Life Coach who is open, honest, and very real. She has helped me through so many issues by just telling it like it is.

2. April Tara – April is just an awesome woman. She and I met on Twitter and have formed a great relationship. She is another woman who keeps it real and tells it like it is. She is the owner of Advantage VA, a blogger, and podcast host who loves helping people and it shows. She definitely speaks her mind but does it in a way that is not offensive or judgmental. I think women who are not afraid to say it like it is as real as it gets.

4. Aurelia Williams - This is my girl because she lives the life she talks about.  As a life coach Aurelia strive to help work at home moms learn to balance and breathe. I think that is just too cool.  She is honest about who she is, what she likes, and where she is going in life. She is the host of the Parenting my teen podcast of which I have had the privilege of being a guest twice. I love this show because she keeps it real, share her life experiences and helps parents and teens connect and communicate. Aurelia ROCKS!

5. Marguerite Wright – My healthy herbalist and good friend. Marguerite’s style is in your face but with love and gentleness. She loves the Lord, her man, and her kids with passion. Marguerite host her own talk show on Blog Talk Radio and she is a Nature Sunshine representative with a great new blog who knows her stuff when it comes to using herbs for healthier living. Her authentic nature shows in her dress, her rocking natural hair style, her passion for health, and her love to learn more and more about what she is passionate about.

6. Wendy Y. Bailey – What can I say about this lady but that she is too KEWL! Wendy is a woman who loves to see people live their life on purpose with purpose and I think that is such a good thing. She is a coach, author, speaker, DIY techie, and trainer who gets people thinking and moving beyond what they imagine they could ever do. She has no idea how much listening to her has helped this woman out as I work out my own authentic walk in life. If you are not connected to Wendy, you need to know who she is. Her blog is a great read to add to your list.

7. Kelly McCausey – Another one that stumps me because she is so awesome. Kelly is the host of Work At Home Mom Talk Radio, owner of Moms Talk Network, the brain behind Blog Evangelists, and a dynamite business coach. As a matter of fact it is because of Kelly that I started working online myself. I stalked her for a while and then we just sorta connected. Kelly is all about moms and helping them to learn how to have a focused business and  a more balanced life. She has helped countless women over the years and yes, I am one of them. Kelly is another keep it real girl who speaks like as she means it, shares her experiences, and lives her life just being who she is.

8. Anne Goodrich -  Anne is a woman who is authentic because she is graceful, full of  love for her fellow man, and passionate about helping others. I love Anne’s approach to life because she does not judge others or look down at them for any reason. To me she is an example of “loving your neighbor as yourself. She is an awesome graphic designer who has done some great work for me in the past.

A few other women who come to mind when I think of what authentic means are:

• Regina Baker
  
• Tina Michelle
  
• Kim Beasley
• Alcie Seba
• Jill Hart
• Marilyn Griffith
• Beverly Mahone

With this post, I am introducing a new part of this blog. Every month I am going to choose an authentic woman from a list that you will help me create. You can nominate your choice here.

Who are your top picks for the most authentic women of 2008? I would love to know!