happy international woman's day!

happy international woman's day, 

you fantastic lady! 

{via}

I was clueless that there was a Women's Day until last year when my Facebook feed imploded with instagram photos of flowers and chocolates received. I did not think too much of it until this week when I randomly bought flowers for my friend and they were on sale for Women's Day. Score! 

But I wondered about it … So I did what any nerdy girl would do. I googled.

I knew this was an Eastern European celebration but learned that it was actually Russia that officiated the day into history in 1917 to recognize and uplift women. Eventually, March 8 became a day to celebrate women's achievements and fight for equal rights [click here for more history].

So, how is International Women's Day celebrated today, you may ask?

Why, with flowers, of coarse! Men wake up early in Eastern European countries and buy flowers for their significant others, daughters, sisters, mothers, etc. to show their love and appreciation for the women in their lives. They shower these women with gratitude for all they do. 

I want to do something a bit different to celebrate International Women's Day here at Beautiful Hope [though I do plan on getting flowers for some of the special ladies in my life]. I want to share some of my favorite quotes about womanhood from some of my favorite authors, mainly quotes about Biblical womanhood, which is always an area I love learning about. 

* * * * * *

"In order to learn what it means to be a woman, we must start with the One who made her"

[ Elisabeth Elliot, Let Me Be A Woman ]
* * * * * *
"Women are meant to be loved, not understood
[ Oscar Wilde ]

* * * * * *
"A woman is like a tea bag. You can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water"
[Eleanor Roosevelt]
* * * * * *

“To me, a lady is not frilly, flouncy, flippant, frivolous and fluff-brained, but she is gentle, she is gracious, she is godly and she is giving. You and I have the gift of femininity... the more womanly we are, the more manly men will be and the more God is glorified. Be women, be only women, be real women in obedience to God.” [ Elisabeth Elliot ] 

* * * * * * 
"There is no such thing as an ugly woman"
[ Vincent van Gogh ]
* * * * * *

“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.” [ Elisabeth Elliot ] 

* * * * * * 

"If you want real beauty, start by trading in all you are for all that He is. You'll never regret such a glorious exchange". [Leslie Ludy, Set-Apart Femininity] 

* * * * * * 

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies . . .
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." 

[ Proverbs 31:10, 25 ] 

* * * * * * 

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 

[ 1 Peter 3:3-4 ] 

* * * * * * 

"There is no charm equal to the tenderness of the heart" 

[ Jane Austen ] 

* * * * * * 

As a woman, I was created to image God in a distinctive way. I do not need to apologize for being a woman. I do not need to hide aspects of my femininity because they are too 'girly'. I can be at peace with the personality and quirks that make me me. I can trust that my Father God knows all my insecurities and weaknesses, and loves my in spite of them with an unfailing love. And this love is not dependent on my achievements or outward appearance; it's grounded on His character as a God who loves forever with a father's heart. He gives me worth because of who He is rather than who I am. And this, my sweet lady readers, gives me freedom to be a woman. I am all for women's rights and equality, but my true freedom is found in finding myself as a daughter of a loving Dad who sees all the innermost thoughts, desires, and hopes . . . and finds me beautiful and calls me His own. It pumps me up with courage and the desire to go out and love and serve others; not because I need to so I can deserve this love, but as an outpouring of the gratitude I have for what God has done for me. He loves, so in turn, I desire to love because I have been loved with a perfect love. 

Lastly, here are some of the woman authors who have somehow shaped my understanding of what it means to be a woman of purpose, compassion, and joy in what Jesus has done for me. 

{from top left Elisabeth Elliot, Amy Carmichael, Jackie Pullinger, Sabina Wurmbrand, Leslie Ludy, Jane Austen, Katie Davis, Gladys Aylward, Ann Voscamp} 

What women inspire you? Who can you thank today for their impact on your life as a woman?