Hi friend,

Welcome back to Tales of Grace. I’m so grateful you’re here. Truly.

Lately, I’ve been sitting with the Lord, asking Him what He wants to do with this little corner of the internet — this blog that He placed on my heart. And honestly? I’m still waiting for answers. I don’t have it all figured out, but what I do know is this: my heart for Tales of Grace is to share stories — real stories of grace — to encourage others and be encouraged in return.

I’m trusting that as I stay close to Him, He’ll provide the stories — whether from your lives or the pages of Scripture. I just want to be faithful with what He gives me.

This week, I wrapped up reading Proverbs as part of the March challenge, and it led me to reflect on something I’ve seen a lot of women talking about — the Proverbs 31 Woman Aesthetic.

You’ve probably heard of the Proverbs 31 woman. Even if you’re not a Christian, chances are her name has popped up in your feed at some point. Before really diving into the passage myself, I thought being a Proverbs 31 woman was mostly about looking the part — dressing modestly, being soft and elegant, reading the Bible, loving Jesus, and having a sweet, peaceful presence. In my mind, it was all about how others perceived me. Almost like something I could wear, like a well-put-together outfit.

But the more I sat with the passage and let the words sink in, the more I realized how much deeper it goes.

So many of us — myself included — long to be the virtuous woman described in that chapter. We want to be noble, wise, gentle, capable, strong. And while that’s a beautiful desire, I had to ask myself: Do I want Jesus just as deeply as I want to become “her”?

Because the truth is, becoming like the Proverbs 31 woman doesn’t start with striving — it starts with abiding. It begins in the secret place, in quiet moments with the Lord, where He gently shapes us into the women we’re meant to be. I’m learning that if I truly seek Jesus, if I spend time in His presence and allow Him to work in my heart, the rest will follow.

I can’t meet with Him and remain the same. Something has to shift. Something will be transformed.

Let’s pause for a moment and read Proverbs 31:10–18 (ESV) together:

Whew. If we’re being honest — and I always want to be — when I look at this woman, I feel so far from her. If there were a scale, I don’t think I’d even register.

But instead of letting that discourage me, it’s become my prayer.
Lord, refine my heart. Help me to long for You above all else. Make me more like You. Shape me into the woman You designed me to be — not because I’m trying to check all the boxes, but because I love You and want to walk in Your ways.

That’s the beauty of grace — He never asks us to become this woman on our own. He invites us to come close, to be still with Him, and to let His Spirit do the work in us.

The chapter ends with a reminder I’ve come back to again and again:

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

~ Proverbs 31:30–31

It’s not about the outward. It’s about reverence. It’s about a heart that’s anchored in Him.

So friend, I’d love to hear from you — what do you think about the Proverbs 31 Woman Aesthetic? Have you felt pressure to “be her”? Have you wrestled with some of the same things I have?

Let’s talk in the comments. I want to hear your heart.

And before I go — The Loved Beyond Measure journals are finally back in stock! You can grab your copy here or find it on Amazon. I truly believe it will bless your quiet time and give you space to meet with God.

With all my love and so much grace,
The Founder of Tales of Grace