20 comments

Paula Hendricks

What in the world is a “true woman”?

Posted on 10.21.10 by Paula Hendricks | Twitter: @PaulaWrites678
Topics: Womanhood

Hey, ladies! A couple weeks ago, I left my computer and cubicle behind, and hit the streets asking women some tough questions about what it means to be a true woman. While I’m glad I didn’t have to answer these questions on the spot, I will say that there’s a whole lot of confusion amongst women about who we are, why we exist, and what will make us truly happy. Watch this short video and you’ll see what I mean:

You can listen to a few more of the responses I heard on the streets on today’s Revive Our Hearts radio program. You’ll also hear highlights from the Ft. Worth True Woman Conference this past weekend, including what True Woman speakers have to say about what it means to be a “true woman.” 

So, how about you? If I stopped you on the street--assuming you weren’t in a huge hurry--how would you answer the question . . . “What is a true woman?’ I’d love to hear your thoughts! (No pressure to get it perfect. Really. On-the-spot answers are great.)

Comments

  1. A true woman loves the Lord with all her heart, loves His Word(that means she studies it consistently), and thus lives out God's design for a woman--all for the glory of God. Her relationship with Christ defines who she is.
    Paula, it was good to meet you face to face this past weekend in Ft. Worth!
    posted by Vivian
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 8:11 am
  2. I normally don't read this post so early - so this is on the spot! hmmm...A true woman is a woman who embraces her femininity and the natural gifts it brings. A true woman has a love for God, His will for her, and an understanding that her place in life has great importance and meaning and her gifts will especially glorify God when she carries them out according to God's design and standards and according to the standards of this world.

    Sitting here and thinking about this so early, especially after the last couple of days I have had, was no accident. I really needed this - so thank you!
    posted by Elizabeth
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 8:46 am
  3. Let me correct:

    "....her gifts will especially glorify God when she carries them out according to God's design and standards and NOT according to the standards of this world."

    Sorry for the typo - typing too quickly before!

    Elizabeth
    posted by Elizabeth
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 8:48 am
  4. This video broke my heart for all the beautiful women out there that don't realize that God has a perfect purpose and design for their lives and they are precious to Him and near and dear to His heart! I was very convicted in the need to get the message of the gospel out to the world - it starts with me talking with one person at a time.
    posted by Linda
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 9:45 am
  5. Since I just wrote about this on my blog it is fresh in my mind. A true woman loves the Lord and His word with all her heart and her life reflects this love in all that she does. She causes others to "adorn" the doctrine of God our Savior.
    http://debsonelife.blogspot.com
    posted by Debbie
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 10:27 am
  6. It was great to meet you, too, Vivian. Thanks for introducing yourself. Maybe next time we’ll have more time to get to know each other . . .
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 10:43 am
  7. Thanks for tackling this question so early in the day, Elizabeth. I’m encouraged that you said you really needed this. God’s timing is amazing like that . . .
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 10:43 am
  8. Yes, Linda!!! Oh, God, break our hearts for women without a Shepherd. May our lives—and our words—offer them hope and lead them to You, their Savior and Shield. Give us compassion and sensitivity for each woman we encounter. Thank You, Jesus, that You didn't hurry past people when You were here.
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 10:44 am
  9. Fun, Debbie. You were prepared!
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 10:44 am
  10. She is in the WORD. A True Woman lives her life openly with full integrity before God and others--nothing is hidden, nothing is questioned. Not a perfect life, but a life that where there are cracks, Jesus leaks out.
    posted by Doris Lloyd
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 10:48 am
  11. I think a true woman is a woman who knows her Creator. She is secure in all her strengths and weaknesses because she what He has done to secure her eternity. She also knows that she is loved beyond measure by her God and King. I think too that a true woman embraces the roles of womanhood and respects the roles of manhood. She doesn't resist the order God has placed in humanity. I love being a woman.
    http://howtolosealife.blogspot.com/
    posted by Tynia Conley
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 11:58 am
  12. A true women is who respects herself for being a women. No regrets at all. Thanking God for his creation and asking him to mold her for his glory.
    posted by Shula Gollapalli
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 12:07 pm
  13. A "True Woman" is one who has embraced the Character of Christ. A women that has embraced the nature of a female human being. She is confident in her ability to display to others that she knows who she is. A true woman understands the unique(elegance) form in which she was created. Explanation........ One that is empowered by Gods Wisdom, Nurture of others, knows how to be a help to her mate(husband), and lead others when neccessary and humble enough to be lead.
    posted by Toray Green
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 12:12 pm
  14. Its easy to say what a true woman is here on this blog. But if you stopped me on the street and didn't say you were from Revie Our hearts, would my first response be to know my God given role as a woman? I hope so, it is what I'm learning to embrace. Its the right answer, whether Im asked by a biblical person or an unsaved person. It's to be all I'm to be in my God given role as a woman. Help us all Lord to see that and to recognize it, and be prepared to give that answer, in season and out of season :) Praise God for this blog!!!
    posted by BJones
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 12:21 pm
  15. I can remember so clearly my own confusion about what it means to be a woman. Sadly, it lasted much farther into my redeemed life than it should have.

    Now I understand that a True Woman lives only for the glory of Christ. My femaleness is a created design that, when lived out as the Bible instructs, creates order and beauty. It nurtures those with whom I have contact and influence. It reflects the Savior.

    Am I a True Woman? Well, I'm a work in progress. Praise God that He's clearing up my confusion and showing me what He values through His precious Word!
    posted by Kari W.
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 2:38 pm
  16. Dear Paula,

    I think a true woman is one who, in her heart, wants to be like Christ. That's where it starts -- she loves Jesus and wants to be conformed to His image. Then the journey begins ... and in the transforming process (I'll speak for myself) "true womanhood" has been part of the picture!

    To sum up what a true woman is -- for me -- is to sum up what it means to be feminine. Feminine in heart as well as outwardly ... in the way I think, the way I act, and the way I relate to others.

    By God's grace, I am understanding more and more what this beautiful femininity looks like, and how I should live as a Christian -- female gender.

    Thank you, Lord, for making me a woman! Thank you for teaching me what it means to be a woman (thank you, ROH/TW, for all your assistance!). I praise the Lord for granting me joy, peace and fulfillment in my femininity, in Him.

    Pr. 31:25b "... she shall rejoice in time to come."

    Let's press on, sisters, to be all He wants us to be!
    :)

    In His love,
    posted by Leslie S.
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 4:40 pm
  17. A true woman speaks the truth in sobermindedness. She is prudent, discreet and effective. Her focus is on others not herself. She has determined to open her mouth with wisdom and with the law of kindness. She ponders the path of her feet and lives righteously (right). She is unique in Him and her strength is in complimenting her husband, not hiding behind him.
    She is astute, watchful, and lives in humility (which is her strength)...... f
    posted by Frances Allen
    on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 8:50 pm
  18. Hi Paula i think a true womas is a woman who is totally dependant on God, and is in the will of God.

    A woman who makes godly decisions.
    posted by brenda
    on Monday, October 25, 2010 at 6:55 pm
  19. Hi Paula,

    I am wondering if i can get a copy of this video for a women's conference i am doing next week on femininity in chicago-would love to use it as a discussion starter. thanks for considering the request.

    Andi Sawin
    NewWay Ministries and Dr. Larry Crabb
    303.217.3909
    andi@newwayministries.org
    www.newwayministires.org
    posted by andi sawin
    on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 9:51 pm
  20. You bet, Andi! You're welcome to pull it off of YouTube, or if you want us to send you a DVD, we can do that, too. I'll send you an email now . . .
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 9:50 am

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