Friday, February 20, 2009

101 Ways a Christian Maiden Can Spend her Time

I found this list in a magazine for young ladies called Watching for the Morning. The magazine states its purpose as:

"To encourage young single Christian women in their journey of serving their families and keeping busy for the Kingdom as they wait on the Lord to provide the husband he has ordained for them in His perfect time and way according to His will (wow that was a mouthful!)."

Anyways, I thought this was interesting. It may take a while to get them all on here, but I will work on it as I have time. And I did modify it a little, changing the order and wording a bit to make it more logical. Let me know if any of you young ladies have ideas that would fit well on a list like this, but aren't mentioned!

  1. Read, study, memorize, and meditate on God's Word. Then, when you are finished, do it again.
  2. Pray for missionaries by name.
  3. Write a book of devotionals.
  4. Pray for your future husband.
  5. Spend time at Jesus' feet, pouring out your heart and also being quiet, listening to what He has to say.
  6. Start an online Bible study.
  7. Keep a thankfulness journal (this can keep you from focusing on the perceived "negatives" in your life).
  8. Befriend and spend time with godly married couples and families.
  9. Pray without ceasing.
  10. Worship the Lord.
  11. Grow in Christ-like character.
  12. Pray for and nuture your relationships with sisters and brothers.
  13. Pray fervently and faithfully that you will be a light to those God has placed in your life who don't know Jesus, and actually do so.
  14. Read books on marriage by godly authors your parents or another godly adult can reccomend.
  15. Pray and work to overcome faults that would keep you from being a godly wife to your future husband.
  16. Fall in love with your Lord.
  17. Take a walk and enjoy God's glorious creation.
  18. Memorize Psalms -to make them easier to remember, put them to little tunes you can hum.
  19. Learn to work happily, doing the hard things that aren't "fun" with a cheerful spirit.
  20. Purpose to work on your relationship with your father.
  21. Read a God-honoring Christian novel.
  22. Watch an inspirational, God-honoring movie.
  23. Listen to music that takes you deeper in your walk with the Lord.
  24. Form relationships with married women who live their lives as a Proverbs 31/Titus 3 woman -soak in the words of wisdom they have to offer from experience.
  25. Learn God's ways.
  26. Rejoice in who God made you to be - unique, speical, one of a kind, created to do works for God's Kingdom that no one else but you can do.
  27. Make a list of standards for your future husband. This is not to be legalistic, but to set your standards and convictions in "stone" so that if you are ever tempted to compromise, you can go back to this list. Pray before doing this and ask God to lead you. Consider asking an older adult you trust, or your parents to look over it and offer suggestions. Purpose to never waver from these convictions.
  28. Become familiar with and sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
  29. Meditate on your relationships with Christ.
  30. Wake up early, while it is still dark, and have a special quiet time with Jesus.
  31. Reserve the first part of your day for Him, and use this time to commit each and every day to Him.
  32. Attend prayer meetings.
  33. Read and study significant spiritual works that encourage and exhort your walk with God and help to establish your faith.
  34. Keep a box with blank greeting cards or stationary in it. Whenever you have a moment , scripture, lesson, or thought you wish you could share with your future husband, write it down. Seal the envelope, and plan to open them together one day when you are married.
  35. Be a missionary.
  36. All Christians are called to share the gospel. Your mission might be in your home, next door, in your community, or somewhere overseas. Ask the Lord how you can best share the Good News - He will make it clear.
  37. Learn to make things such as soap, candles, bread, or anything else that interests you. Give these things away to brighten someone's day, or as a gift for a special ocassion. This can be an amazing ministry - if you are able to make quite a lot, you could also offer these items for sale in your community.
  38. If you don't already have farm animals and are feeling adventurous, try to save up and invest in a goat, cow, or a few hens. Learn the basics of caring for animals, and enjoy the fruits of your labors.
  39. Research the medicinal and nutritional properties of herbs, essential oils, and wild "edibles." Keep a notebook of all you've learned. This will come in handy some day when you may wish to use natural remedies as a wife or mother, but don't have time to do the research.
  40. Work on a home business.
  41. Plant a flower garden. Make a beautiful border with rocks or stones. Choose different types of colors and flowers, both annuals and perennials. You can use them all season to give as gifts, to brighten someone's day, or even to decorate your own table or desk. Don't forget to dry them for use in countless projects.
  42. Make jewelry. It can be a wonderful gift, and might also bring in a little money if you are able to sell it.
  43. Learn to draw or paint.
  44. Learn and practice skills that will be beneficial to homemaking -- cooking, house cleaning, laundry, ironing, caring for children, etc.
  45. Learn how to play an instrument. Take lessons, or teach yourself.
  46. Quilt, as simply or elaborately as you are able.
  47. Plant an herb garden.
  48. Crochet or knit.
  49. Learn some basic accounting and book-keeping skills. This will be a useful skill if you ever are a part of a home business, or even find yourself in need to balancing your own budget at home.
  50. Study health and medicine. This can be something that is used both among your family now, and to save money in your own family later.
  51. Study agriculture and gardening. A nation's wealth comes from its ground and from what it can produce. In times of economic difficulty, it can be a real blessing to have a food source right in your back yard.
  52. Learn a new langauge.
  53. Take (or give) piano lessons.
  54. Take a college class, online or otherwise.
  55. Start an online business that you can continue as an adult.
  56. Learn website development.
  57. Learn to sew.
  58. Learn and experiment with new recipes.
  59. Throw a bridal shower.
  60. Throw a baby shower. Mothers of many children often only get a shower for their first, or possible first and second children. However, there is always a need when a baby is on the way, whether it is coupons for local restaurants for a quick meal when the baby arrives, new basics baby clothes, diapers, freezer meals, etc.
  61. Cook a nice, hot meal, and deliver it to a tired mother of several little ones, or to an elderly person who can't get out and about. When you don't have time for an entire meal, try a cake or pie!
  62. Make coupons for "2 hours of free childcare" and hand them out to married couple who need a date for Christmas or any other occasion. You'll be both serving the Lord, and sharpening your mothering skills.
  63. Serve as a "mother's helper" to a mother of many.
  64. Organize a benefit bake sale, dinner, or yard sale to help a family in need or raise money for missions.
  65. Read with little ones, or help older people who have weak reading skills.
  66. Teach an adult to read.
  67. Visit shut-ins from your church.
  68. Volunteer at your church office.
  69. Offer to do house or yard work for a neighbor.
  70. Volunteer at a local park or animal shelter. Get involved in your community as a witness for Christ.
  71. Teach English as a second language.
  72. Do grocery shopping for people who have a hard time getting out.
  73. Volunteer at food banks, homeless shelters, battered women's shelters, etc.
  74. Visit sick people in the hospital.
  75. Sponsor a child in a foreign country.
  76. Volunteer to be a baby rocker in a hospital nursery.
  77. Help with a home-school co-op.
  78. Organize a "constructive party" for younger girls. Work on sewing, baking, card making, etc. Younger girls, especially those who don't have older sisters, really enjoy doing this.
  79. Go on a wilderness hike.
  80. Play.
  81. Decorate a cake.
  82. Make homemade cards with dried flowers.
  83. Research your family tree and history.
  84. Smile.
  85. Lead a Bible Study for neighborhood children.
  86. Participate in music ministry.
  87. Make and nurture friendships with godly ladies of all ages. Find a way to encourage other single ladies around you. Challenge them to wait upon the Lord. Lead or attend a Bible study for young ladies.
  88. Love and encourage your parents - look for ways to bless them.
  89. Befriend a child who neeeds a friend, and keep up an ongoing interest.
  90. Spend time in the company of godly young men, in an appropriate setting.
  91. Send a letter or e-mail to encourage someone and let them know of your love and support for them.
  92. Make a viedo or film that glorifies God. Submit the finished product to an independent Christian film agency.
  93. Read the Bible with a friend and put what you read into practice alongside each other.
  94. Pen pal with younger girls, and be an encouraging role model for them.
  95. Go to your local nursing or retirement home and minister to the residents. Sing hymns or worship songs, play an instrument for them, brush hair, or read for them. Ask if they would like you to pray with them before you leave.
  96. Be a Big Sister. Even if you don't join the official organization, invest time in a younger woman, especially one who does not have good role models at home.
  97. Blog as a creative outlet and a means to encourage others.
  98. Make a scrapbook or cookbook for a friend.
  99. Prepare an extragavant feast for a family that has blessed you or is in need.
  100. Host a fancy tea party for little girls.
  101. Use your creativity, motivation, energy, and any extra finances now to minister to the present needs of others.

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

I Peter 5:10

5 comments:

Amy Q said...

WOW! Thanks for so taking the time to pass on so many great ideas! I passed this on to a bunch of friends i hope are blessed by your encouragment!
Blessings to you!

Unknown said...

How neat! Where did you hear of this magazine!??? lol* haha I do like it! But my mom has found some things in there that she doesnt agree w/ so........

Unknown said...

oh I was reading over your list here, and on #24 it should be 'Titus 2' woman. Just thought That looked a little different!! hehe

Sarah Ann said...

Hi Becky,
I found your blog (and this post) in searching for encouragement for single Christian ladies. I am wondering if this magazine you mentioned has a website. I have a single Christian ladies website and e-magazine myself (www.ladies-in-waiting.net), and am always interested in what other encouraging magazines or websites are out there for ladies.

Rebekah said...

Sarah Ann -
I'm glad you found your way to my blog! Here is the address for the blog of this magazine: http://watchingforthemorning.org/blog/

Hope you enjoy, and are rewarded in your search for more encouragement!

Becky