Written by Philip Hainline, Heidi Reimer, and Maria Reimer at the respective ages of 16, 19, and 17.

A real woman . . .
…is glad she’s a woman and rejoices in her femininity, expressing it through her attitude, appearance and bearing. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

…does not compete for equality with men or chafe at God’s design for male and female, but delights in and understands the importance of her calling to complement man’s role. (1 Timothy 2:11-12, Ephesians 5:22-24)

…values the cultivation of her mind and diligently seeks after wisdom and knowledge. (Proverbs 22:17-21, 2:2-6)

…realizes her imperative need to allow the Holy Spirit to control her emotions and expressions of them. (James 1:19-20)

…does not wallow in self-pity or make a habit of voicing complaints, but radiates cheerfulness and joy. (Proverbs 15:15, Proverbs 17:22)

A real woman . . .
…appreciates her father’s protection, and respects and submits to his authority. In so doing, she is preparing herself to exercise the Biblical role in her relationship with a possible future husband. (Ephesians 5:33-6:3, 1 Peter 3:1-2)

…is trustworthy and gains the respect of those around her. (Proverbs 31:11)

…restrains herself from listening to, or participating in gossip, but instead speaks with wisdom and discretion. (Proverbs 11:12-13, 22, 20:19, 3:11)

…encourages and builds up those around her instead of criticizing and tearing them down. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ephesians 4:29)

…does not have a nagging, contentious or manipulative manner in which she deals with others. (Judges 16:16, Proverbs 21:9, 19, 26:21)

…is not boisterous or loud in her speech or actions but is characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit. (Proverbs 9:13, 1 Peter 3:4)

A real woman . . .
…portrays chastity, modesty and reverence in her manner, and wears the ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is her true beauty. (1 Peter 3:3-4, Titus 2:4-5)

…is not offended by respect shown her through gentlemanly courtesies (opening doors, etc.) but cultivates the differences between the sexes that make her worthy of this deference. (1 Peter 3:7, Mark 10:6)

…seeks to make God her number one desire and the Lover of her soul, knowing that only He can fully satisfy. (Psalm 73:25, Psalm 63:1)

…uses her years of singleness to seek and serve God without distraction, and is content to leave the details of her future to Him. (Psalm 73:25, Philippians 4:11)

A real woman . . .
…does not relate to members of the opposite sex in a flirtatious or forward manner, but instead saves all her passion for her future husband. (Thessalonians 4:3-8, Proverbs 6:25, 1 Corinthians 7:1)

…holds her virginity before marriage sacred and will not compromise it for anything. (This one goes for guys too)
(1 Timothy 5:22)

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”                                  Winston Churchill

Besides the fact that there is never any indication of what you might find lying around Daniel’s room, I thought that this was a great quote.  I believe that Daniel’s gift of words is spurred on the fact that he loves to read the old writings of others.

Anyway, this quote got me to thinking.  What will I have left to give Daniel at my death?  Anything at all worthwhile?  Wonder if he will love and cherish all of my dusty angels, my boxes of well loved quilt scraps,  and all of my Christmas ornaments?  (He’d better!  Or I’ll come back to get him!!).  Those are about the only “material” things that I own which I cherish.  Oh, and my camera… I’m SURE he will want that!!!  No really…  Will I have anything at all left to leave him?  Something for him to cherish?  Something for him to really hold onto as he grows older and to pass along to his children ?

Well, I’m pretty sure whatever I leave will not be anything valuable by man’s standards.  But, as I was reading this morning in my quiet time, I came across this verse:

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;… Psa. 103:17

That’s what I want to leave Daniel as his heritage… the righteousness of our family.  Not only for Daniel, but for all of our future generations.  This is the heritage I want to pass on.