Hey there, friend! Welcome to the world of Soul Creations Photography,
a place that has a passion to not only inspire you with images, but encourage you with words.
This was not a business that started from want of money or want of fame,
it started from a Spirit-led heart that intentionally decided to take strides to see God's vision to become reality. That Spirit-led heart was the lady behind the lens... me... Sinikka!
This weekend, it's officially fall in Indiana and I have already had a Pumpkin Spice Latte, bought new boots for the season and prayerfully found Soul Creations new purpose and new logo :)
So here's to a blog that marks the beginning of something wonderfully blessed. Here's to being on your team, being your mentor, and being your guide to glorify God from your heart during the amazing journeys a Spirit-filled engagement and marriage bring!
Grab a cup of coffee, kick back in a comfy chair
and open your heart to what the Lord's got for us this week :)
a place that has a passion to not only inspire you with images, but encourage you with words.
This was not a business that started from want of money or want of fame,
it started from a Spirit-led heart that intentionally decided to take strides to see God's vision to become reality. That Spirit-led heart was the lady behind the lens... me... Sinikka!
This weekend, it's officially fall in Indiana and I have already had a Pumpkin Spice Latte, bought new boots for the season and prayerfully found Soul Creations new purpose and new logo :)
So here's to a blog that marks the beginning of something wonderfully blessed. Here's to being on your team, being your mentor, and being your guide to glorify God from your heart during the amazing journeys a Spirit-filled engagement and marriage bring!
Grab a cup of coffee, kick back in a comfy chair
and open your heart to what the Lord's got for us this week :)
When you're walking down that aisle, there will be a billion thoughts racing through your mind but only one you focus on... him. Your heart will be still, your eyes clear and your feet not able to walk fast enough to meet him at the altar! A day later, your marriage will start and everything you've been praying for: to be a great wife, to an amazing husband and to honor God with your marriage,
will be what you're daily challenged to do :)
This week, the Lord brought me to Proverbs 31, a chapter of the Bible has given us an exact depiction of what the Lord desires for a bride, a wife, to look like!
When I was taking in this beautiful passage, I kept thinking, how does she do it?!
How does she manage her life, family and responsibilities so well and so honorably?
So with some further time with the Lord, I pulled out five characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman that I feel will help as you prepare for your big day and as you continue on your way.
I pray they will soak into your heart as you read and reflect on how the Lord wants us to live out
the gift it is to be a bride, a wife and a life-long child of His!
will be what you're daily challenged to do :)
This week, the Lord brought me to Proverbs 31, a chapter of the Bible has given us an exact depiction of what the Lord desires for a bride, a wife, to look like!
When I was taking in this beautiful passage, I kept thinking, how does she do it?!
How does she manage her life, family and responsibilities so well and so honorably?
So with some further time with the Lord, I pulled out five characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman that I feel will help as you prepare for your big day and as you continue on your way.
I pray they will soak into your heart as you read and reflect on how the Lord wants us to live out
the gift it is to be a bride, a wife and a life-long child of His!
She is Trusted
"A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long."
If a Proverbs 31 woman really has all these characteristics, she is rare! There are intrinsic difficulties to being married. But even with these, a Proverbs 31 woman is completely trustworthy, respected, and wears integrity like her favorite necklace! How? Keep reading :)
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long."
If a Proverbs 31 woman really has all these characteristics, she is rare! There are intrinsic difficulties to being married. But even with these, a Proverbs 31 woman is completely trustworthy, respected, and wears integrity like her favorite necklace! How? Keep reading :)
She is Active
"She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive."
Okay - I know this sounds old-fashioned, but what jobs can a woman have today? Anything that you can use your talent and time towards! Medicine, Marketing, Finance... there are so many options!
So where do your skills lie? and how are you reaching out to the poor, homeless, sick, imprisoned? How are you involved in your community?
Pope Francis loves to encourage people to "make a ruckus". I LOVE this phrase. It is the heart of getting involved and being active. We learn so much when we're in the grit of something happening around us, and when we encourage others in our family to do the same.
diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive."
Okay - I know this sounds old-fashioned, but what jobs can a woman have today? Anything that you can use your talent and time towards! Medicine, Marketing, Finance... there are so many options!
So where do your skills lie? and how are you reaching out to the poor, homeless, sick, imprisoned? How are you involved in your community?
Pope Francis loves to encourage people to "make a ruckus". I LOVE this phrase. It is the heart of getting involved and being active. We learn so much when we're in the grit of something happening around us, and when we encourage others in our family to do the same.
She is Disciplined
"She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started."
""She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops."
These two passages are great examples of what we don't hear about too often:
Stewardship and Wisdom.
We are stewards of what we've been given here. Whether it's our time or money, it is important that we fully care for and make us of what we have. This could look like saving money for your future children or investing money in stocks to make additional income. It could be creating a budget or planning for Christmas before Black Friday. Whatever planning it is, a Proverbs 31 woman is faithful to her responsibilities and faithful to her Lord. She makes him #1 and lets his divine order - order her day.
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started."
""She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops."
These two passages are great examples of what we don't hear about too often:
Stewardship and Wisdom.
We are stewards of what we've been given here. Whether it's our time or money, it is important that we fully care for and make us of what we have. This could look like saving money for your future children or investing money in stocks to make additional income. It could be creating a budget or planning for Christmas before Black Friday. Whatever planning it is, a Proverbs 31 woman is faithful to her responsibilities and faithful to her Lord. She makes him #1 and lets his divine order - order her day.
She is Joy-Filled
"Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly."
I bet your tired when you wake up. I bet you don't want to always keep a smile on your face when things are tough. I bet you don't have any idea how a woman could do it with a husband, children, work and community responsibilities...
Here's how - she's full of Jesus. And so full of life, not turning from any challenge.
Instead she walks towards it with a smile on her face - knowing God is with her, protecting her and giving her the ability (the grace) to continue onward.
This type of joy (the type where you're full of Jesus) is different from happiness. Joy is a deep fullness that comes even when you are sad, angry, tired or hungry. Joy is lasting and sits deep inside your heart and can't be shaken by the things that this world brings.
Have you felt that joy? Have you asked for that joy? (Matt. 7:7)
Would you know joy if you saw it? Have you seen it?
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly."
I bet your tired when you wake up. I bet you don't want to always keep a smile on your face when things are tough. I bet you don't have any idea how a woman could do it with a husband, children, work and community responsibilities...
Here's how - she's full of Jesus. And so full of life, not turning from any challenge.
Instead she walks towards it with a smile on her face - knowing God is with her, protecting her and giving her the ability (the grace) to continue onward.
This type of joy (the type where you're full of Jesus) is different from happiness. Joy is a deep fullness that comes even when you are sad, angry, tired or hungry. Joy is lasting and sits deep inside your heart and can't be shaken by the things that this world brings.
Have you felt that joy? Have you asked for that joy? (Matt. 7:7)
Would you know joy if you saw it? Have you seen it?
She Fears The Lord
"Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God."
Fear of the Lord. The characteristics that makes everything else possible. A Proverbs 31 woman is continually living in AWE of the Lord (which is what FEAR really means here!). She has a perspective that continues to focus heavenward; in awe of and in communion with the Lord.
When your heart is continually focused on being amazed by Jesus and His love/care for us, love will fill you. And it outpours to others all throughout the day. It outpours in obedience (discipline/activeness). It outpours in joy. It outpours in integrity - and the fruits of the spirit! (Gal. 5:22-23)
It is only from Christ, the source of all goodness, that these beautiful characteristics flow from. So let it sink in while you're finishing up here (I can't believe you're still reading, Praise God!!!) and continue through your day depending on Him.
Because we can't be a Proverbs 31 woman without him!
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May He lead you and give you His grace,
May your light shine in the darkness,
And may your heart be filled with His love.
xoxo - Sinikka
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God."
Fear of the Lord. The characteristics that makes everything else possible. A Proverbs 31 woman is continually living in AWE of the Lord (which is what FEAR really means here!). She has a perspective that continues to focus heavenward; in awe of and in communion with the Lord.
When your heart is continually focused on being amazed by Jesus and His love/care for us, love will fill you. And it outpours to others all throughout the day. It outpours in obedience (discipline/activeness). It outpours in joy. It outpours in integrity - and the fruits of the spirit! (Gal. 5:22-23)
It is only from Christ, the source of all goodness, that these beautiful characteristics flow from. So let it sink in while you're finishing up here (I can't believe you're still reading, Praise God!!!) and continue through your day depending on Him.
Because we can't be a Proverbs 31 woman without him!
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May He lead you and give you His grace,
May your light shine in the darkness,
And may your heart be filled with His love.
xoxo - Sinikka