I

I tried to express myself through scratches and
Scars
Bumps and bruises
A tangle of faded t shirts and
Ripped denim skirts
Proclaiming to the world
That I
Was tough
Hair in a ponytail I raced up the hill
Climbed the tree and
Fell down
Mud
On my
Face
I grit my teeth
Blood
On my skin
Proving to my friends that I
Could be
Tough

II

As Christian women, we are often encouraged to dress modestly. There are plenty of reasons that are given for this virtue, but some reasons seem to have a tendency to be warped into something nasty or nonsensical. Attempts to teach girls about modesty have been used to shame them or deluge them with a long list of rules – rules that can sound a lot like “Touch not; taste not; handle not” (Colossians 2:21).*

God mentioned two things necessary to add to creation before He created Eve.

1) It was not good for the Man, Adam, to be alone.
2) The next creation should be a helpmeet suitable for him.

When considering Biblical womanhood in the Scriptures, there is one verse that comes up rather frequently:

Who can find a virtuous woman?
For her price is far above rubies.
- Proverbs 31:10