Bling please!

Ever since I was 16, I have wanted something.
To get my nose pierced.
I don't know why.
I just did.

I had a Barbie bracelet that I would experiment with, it fit and I thought it looked, stunning.
So I kept the experimental fake.  And tried it on many many times and wore it out frequently.

Yeah, I know.  Lame.

I figured once I was old enough, or brave enough I would get it done.
When I left home at 18, and went to Bible school. I thought I would do it then.

And here in lies the meat of the blog.

So, in Proverbs 31 it talks about the ideal women, or wife.  As a young women looking for her mate, while also in Bible school where young men are also looking for the same thing, you put your best foot forward, or try to.
Girls primp, do what they do, make themselves presentable. Guys do their thing.  We all know Bible college is....Bridal College.  And that's simply because you go, looking for the next phase of life, to get better and find yourself and hopefully someone.  Same as any other college frankly. Its a place where many young people are together, expanding horizons , ideals and lives.  Growing up.

So, in trying to get an edge, a little something extra that makes a short, shy homeschooled kid from Saskatchewan stand out amongst experienced travelers of the emotional workings of the thing that is male.  What does one do in Bible school?   Why.....become the ideal wife.  Strive for perfection. Be of sound mind. Be faithful, prayerful. Pure. Lovely. Become the Proverbs 31 women. 
And fail and fail and fail. Becoming a virtuous women is not a game, a route you take to find the perfect man. Virtue is something that you don't just follow these 5 easy steps to attain perfection and therefore locking down the catch of a life time that will make all your dreams come true.
Total load of crap.

And, I've had to learn this the hard way.  Sure I had green and blue hair in Bible school. Sure I may have kind of dated a guy or two. (the actual qualifiable total of dudes I dated remains a mystery, if we were never officially dating, does it still count? If we went on a date and then argued about whether or not it was a relationship or not for the next 4 weeks, does that  count?  We shall for argument sake set the total at 3.5) Sure, I really really, tried to be a virtous women. But did I get it?
In my crazy quest for the perfect mate I put my life and myself on hold. I was WAITING. 
I was terrified that if I was who I truly was inside that I would scare "him" away. No mere mortal could handle me. Thoughts of nose piercings were cast aside, its on your face. A good Christian guy is going to see that and just see rebellion and pass you over.  Be who you are, well that is just not good enough so copy other girls and do what they do and then maybe you will show up on some guys radar. Copy, follow, replicate and for heavens sake....don't be you.

you can imagine how well this worked.......and I began to hate the game, girls who got their dream, and men all the same. Utter crap.  Painful. Humiliation reigns abundant.  Spinning in circles.

Eventually, I began to see the rut for what it was. I was 25. I did every day the exact same. I lived at my job. I tried nothing new. I had no joy except job performance. I was too tired to do anything fun. I was too scared to push beyond the borders. I was there, being faithful, and waiting. Being "virtuous."

And it was killing me.  My heart would race. My body was shutting down, in constant pain. I was miserable.

What does virtue mean?
 The term "virtuous" is from a noun meaning strength, efficiency, ability.  Here it refers to strength of character, that is, moral strength and firmness. 
I have discovered over the last few years.  I have strength. I have learned efficiency. and I have the ability to do pretty much anything I want.  My moral character and willingness to stick to it.....well, I think I figured that one out too.

"her worth is far more valuable than rubies"
I never truly saw my worth or value.  How rare I truly was. I get it now. I am irreplaceable. I am incredible. I am one of a kind. I get it. Dare to be different.  Dare to go against the flow of the world, and to be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2). 

And as I now go over the characteristics of the ideal woman, I see that over the years of  trial and error, pain, torture, self doubt, growth, learning, teaching, trusting, and just WORK. That I am more and more becoming this woman.  Not to catch a guy. But just because I am worth the effort of myself to have an awesome life. Not to make anyone else's life great, but also my own.

When I was 25, I saw the rut, and I started fixing it. I needed to get uncomfortable. I bought a car that terrified me. Stick shift. Drove it to Hamilton my first day with it.  So not smart, and so good for my perfect safe world. I started to see where I was hiding and where I was giving up on myself and life. I addressed fears and failures, mistakes, shortcomings, doubts and this time started fixing them for me. Not some guy.  I took chances. Took risks.  Failed. Succeeded. Met a guy. Took a chance. Took jobs I was scared of. Found out I could do more than I imagined. Found out I was stronger that even I believed. Discovered that I could start over. My faith took beatings, hit high points. So many things over the last 7 years. And through it all, my Heavenly Father has been there guiding me and showing me that I am loved, wanted, needed and wanted, not for what I can do, but just because I am me.

So, I chose a couple months ago. To make a personal statement to myself. Never again be that person. Never hide. Be who you are. Be strong. Be loving. Be brave. Be you.
I got my nose pierced. 
I chickened out once. Was on the highway home when I realized I really wanted this done and almost needed to have it done before I got home. Google searched. Called. Booked. Chickened out.
My brilliant adventure co-pilot didn't let me wimp out the second time. 
It hurt.
But I love it. It looks like it belonged there all along. 
A constant reminder to me.
Look how far you have come.
No one can take it away. No one can argue the fact. Its right there.
Bam
Bling on my face
Sparkling for the world to see.
Just like me.

And if I can do it.....well.......with a little bit of elbow grease and some proverbs 31, I'm sure just about anyone can.