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Here you will find encouraging articles for your enjoyment! We are hoping to add to our list often, so if you have an article you would like to submit to our list, please e-mail us and we will review it for possible inclusion.
Cutlivating Childhood Dreams - Myklin Vinson
Call Her Blessed: A Proverbs 31 Tribute to My Mother - Crystal Paine
~ Cultivating Childhood Dreams ~
 Written by Myklin Vinson - April 27, 2006
Ever since I was a small girl, becoming a writer has always been a dream of mine. As a young child, the idea of becoming a world-famous author, and having people pick up my published works in libraries and bookstores across the globe, was nothing short of thrilling. I smile now as I remember my first feeble attempts at novel writing, as an enthusiastic, yet grammar-challenged, misspelling-prone girl of seven years old.
After reading the widely popular American Girl series, I decided to try my hand at writing something of my very own. The result of my effort was, a mere eight months later, that I had written a story about a young girl’s life in the colonial days, which ended up being a strange mix of characters and story lines from my favorite American Girl series, Anne of Green Gables, and Little Women. My story consisted of six whole pages of scribblings, comfortably sandwiched between two brightly colored, pink pieces of construction paper (which, in my mind, constituted a front and back cover), sloppily bound together with pieces of masking tape and a few strategically placed staples. “Ah, this,” I told myself, “is my masterpiece. This is my first book.” Knowing that this great work of mine would someday be heralded as my crowning achievement, I chose an equally impressive title for it, simply: Rebekah Tanner: 1776. Yes, at the time I amazed even myself with the brilliance of my seven year-old mind. This first accomplishment was just the fuel I needed to spur on my desire to write well enough to someday be published. Thus, my love for writing was awakened.
As I think back on that time of my life, I am reminded of how children have a very real need to show off the pictures they have drawn, songs they have made up, or books they have written. Beaming with pride, they pass the nearest adult their brightly colored drawings in which they attempted to sketch a likeness of a happy family and beloved pet. Of course, all the grown up sees when he or she looks at the picture is a dilapidated stick figure family and a dog, which, in reality resembles some sort of peculiar, droopy-eared, science fiction character. Unfortunately, too many children do not grow up receiving any sort of praise or recognition for their accomplishments, whether small or large. Granted, so often what the child comes up with is painfully lacking in maturity and skill, but after all, they are only young children. However, given the right encouragement and training, a young person can do whatever he puts his mind to. Who knows if this child could grow up to be the next Mark Twain or Michelangelo? It causes me to wonder how many opportunities adults miss every day to make a difference in the life of a child.
One adult, who was just that sort of encouragement to me growing up, was my dear grandmother. Having studied English and grammar extensively over the years, as well as having a love for any sort of writing, she showed me great amounts of support and enthusiasm when it came to my writing attempts. It was she who laughed harder than anyone else when, at the age of seven, I read her the part of my book where a pesky little lizard crawled up the leg of my heroine and gave her the fright of her young life. I remember how I beamed when she gave me a hug and told me how hilarious my story was. My grandmother proceeded to ask about my writing through the years when she would see me, and would try to persuade me that I should put my efforts into being published someday. Her belief in me was inspiring.
Years later, after I actually did have the opportunity to publish a real book I wrote, I signed a copy for my grandmother and brought it to her. By this time, her Alzheimer’s had progressed enough that she had completely forgotten about the stories I wrote as a child and used to eagerly read to her when she came to visit. Nevertheless, as I knelt beside her chair and held out my new book for her to see, I said, “Look, Grandma. I just published this book and thought you might like a copy of your own.” Looking up in total delight and complete surprise, she tightly grasped my hand and exclaimed, “I am so proud of you, honey!” Her blue eyes were twinkling up at me with so much love and pride that my heart ached. I could not help but think that she would never even realize what kind of influence she had in my life to bring me to this point.
Sadly, my dear grandmother passed away just five months ago, but she has left me with so many things that I am thankful for about her. Among them is her belief in my abilities and her encouragement for me to follow my dreams. How I wish that every child could experience the freedom of this kind of support and affirmation in his or her life. It is my prayer that I will someday be that kind of powerful influence in the life of my own children and grandchildren.
Read more about Myklin Vinson and her resources!
~ Call Her Blessed: A Proverbs 31 Tribute to My Mother ~
Written by Mrs. Crystal Paine
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”
Virtuous women are few and far between, but Dad is so blessed to have found one! Matthew Henry writes about this verse in his commentary, “A virtuous woman is a woman…who has the command of her own spirit and knows how to manage other people’s, one that is pious and industrious, and a help meet for a man. A virtuous woman is a woman of resolution, who, having espoused good principles, is firm and steady to them, and will not be frightened with winds and clouds from any part of her duty.” You exemplify that to me every day of my life.
“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
I know Dad trusts you in everything. You always make him second only to the Lord in your life. Even if you disagree with him, I rarely can ever tell. You are always supporting him and building him up. You are always available to meet his needs, listen to him, and encourage him.
“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.”
You have instilled in us the value of hard work by your example. You are never one to shirk difficulty.
“She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.”
How many times you have gone out of your way to make sure we ate wholesome food? From trips to the meat locker an hour away to buy farm-fresh beef, to drives out of town to tiny food co-ops to purchase organic products, you always did your best to see that we were healthfully well-fed. Maybe at the time I did not appreciate it, but now I am thankful that I would much prefer a fresh green salad over a greasy hamburger any day!
“She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.”
Many mornings I would awake to find you had already been up for quite awhile. Not only did you often prepare “meat” for our physical bodies in those early morning hours, but, more importantly, you would be preparing to spiritually feed us. Thank you for the many hours of sleep you sacrificed on our behalf.
“She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.”
Our gardens would never be so beautiful without your constant care and upkeep of them. You taught us, through your love of nature, that the heavens and earth declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-4).
“She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”
Rain or shine, sun or snow, you have always been consistent with physical exercise and you have encouraged us to also discipline our physical bodies in this manner. But you have constantly reminded us that, though bodily exercise will profit us some in this life, godliness is much more important, for it will profit us for eternity (1 Timothy 4:8).
“She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.”
Thank you for teaching me to look for the best buy and not spend money frivolously. By applying these principles in our budget since we have been married, we have literally saved hundreds of dollars and been able to stay out of debt.
“She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.”
Thank you for sewing clothes for me when I was little and helping me with sewing projects when I was a little older. I’ll never forget the special quilt class we took together.
“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”
You have always set forth an example of serving others. I cannot even begin to try to count the meals we took to needy families. You encouraged us to work together as a family to reach out and bless others. In doing so, we were blessed as well for, “It is more blessed to give, than to receive” (Acts. 20:35).
“She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.”
Thank you for the time you invested to see that we were properly clothed. This might seem like a small thing, but now that I have my own daughter to care for, I am realizing it takes thought, preparation, and effort.
“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.”
I truly believe Dad is the strong spiritual leader he is today because of you. You believed in him and reverenced him, and now God has honored him with the position of elder in the church and executive vice president of the company he works for.
“She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.”
Thank you for being wise in your management of the home and the financial aspects Dad has given you jurisdiction over. You always seek to save money so that you can have more money to give to others. You also raised us to have marketable skills, which we can use to serve others and earn an income in a God-honoring manner at the same time.
“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”
Your reward in heaven will be great. As the years go by, I pray you are also able to see on this earth some of the fruits of your many labors, prayers, and tears as your children follow God’s leading in their lives and are instruments used for the glory of God.
“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
All of my friends wonder if you ever raised your voice, because you have such a meek and quiet spirit. I am so thankful I was brought up in a home where love, not anger, was all-pervading.
“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”
You are constantly seeking to make the best use of your time. Growing up, I never saw you doing things for your own pleasure and enjoyment; you were always seeking how you could use every hour to glorify the Lord.
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”
You truly have been and are the best mother anyone could ever hope for. Now that I am a new mother, not a day goes by where I do not think how much I appreciate your many sacrifices on my behalf. I praise the Lord for you and for the example and testimony of a Godly wife and mother you have set for me. I know you are not perfect, but if I am half as good of a wife and mother as you, I will be happy. I love you, Mom!
Crystal Paine is a 25-year-old homeschool graduate from Topeka, Kansas. She is the blessed wife of Jesse and joyful mother of Kathrynne. Visit her site, Biblical Womanhood.com, for books, articles, encouragement, and inspiration!
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What Every Girl Should Know - Workbook
Myklin Vinson (formerly Cox) takes preteen and teenage girls through an enjoyable and personal journey to discover what the Bible says about what every girl should know.
Item No. 100
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$19.95
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Instilling Virtue in the Hearts of Young Women - CD
On this CD, Myklin Vinson addresses issues close to the heart of parents desiring to raise their daughters to become virtuous women in spite of the negative messages in today’s world.
Item No. 101
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$8.00
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Merchant Maiden - eBook
Women of all ages will learn creative and simple ways to earn an income without compromising convictions.
Item No. 102
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$3.50
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What Every Parent Should Know About Daughters - CD
Fathers and mothers, discover simple and effective steps that you can take to begin that special and rewarding relationships with your daughter.
Item No. 103
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$8.00
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Be Thou An Example: Raising Children of Character - CD
In this workshop given to parents and students by Myklin Vinson, parents and students discover what it truly means to be a a person of character.
Item No. 104
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$8.00
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3 - CD Bundle Special
Purchase all three of Myklin's talks on CD and save!
-Instilling Virtue in the Hearts of Young Women (Plus FREE Bonus Track of Myklin's American Family Radio Interview)
-What Every Parent Should Know About Daughters
-Be Thou An Example: Raising Children of Character
Item No. 105
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Sale: $20.00
$24.00
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