From the Heart: It’s time for another “Mother Load,” Heart of Womanhood Ladies! This month’s From the Heart Blog comes to us from one of my favorite “Faithful Fashion-istas!” Darisha Bishop is a pastor’s wife, a mother to a full house of teens, and is a Proverbs 31 woman who is “clothed with strength and dignity.” Whether you are a mom or daughter or grandmother, step into God’s fitting room to embrace this truth that is just your size!

DESIGNED TO DELIGHT by Darisha Bishop

This “Load” is beautifully designed. These garments are knit together with the best fabrics and threads. It comes with special care instructions! These uniquely crafted materials are so exclusive that only the Master designer can handle them. Why this designer? Well, because He’s a craftsman like no other. He’s the only one in the universe who doesn’t have to measure or cut, he just breathes the most wonderfully made pieces into existence. He doesn’t have to adjust, or piece fabrics together in order to get it draped just right. Every piece of material is used. Nothing goes to waste. This Designer is God—and the stunning “one of a kind” fashion statement is YOU!

“I knit you together in your mother’s womb…Your workmanship is marvelous.” Psalm 139:13-14

Our heavenly Father wove you together in your mother’s womb to attract attention, but not for yourself. Since you and I were born into sin, it’s so easy for or us to seek and want glory for ourselves. Psalm 115:1 weaves this truth, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us. But to your name goes ALL THE GLORY!” Our sole purpose in life is to bring God glory. HONEY, you and I were designed to delight!

HONEY, you and I were designed to delight!

The word delight means to please greatly and is synonymous with the word “fascinate” which means to irresistibly draw attention of. Don’t you want to draw the attention of the Father? I know I do. I can remember as a kid when my dad would come around (which wasn’t often), I wanted to fascinate him so he’d want to stay. I would sing Temptations songs, tell inappropriate jokes, and make up dance routines…It was never enough to hold his attention.

Psalm 147:11 “The Lord delights (fascinates) himself with those who fear in Him; who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

Unlike my earthly father, getting God’s attention isn’t that hard. Scripture says that the Lord delights (fascinates) himself with those who fear in Him; who put their hope in his unfailing love (Isaiah 147:11). God is fascinated with our right thinking, our outward praise of who He is and our focus on His Word to guide our lives. He wants us to make much of Him and long for him. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you (James 4:8). In order for us to do these things that I have pointed out above we have to wash ourselves daily in the Word. Portraits of Womanhood Bible Studies are a “fitting” way for moms and daughters to clothe yourselves in His Word together.

In times when things are upside down or just don’t quite line up for us, our purpose is still to delight the Lord. Even when our actions are not pleasing to God, we are still precious to the Father. He tells us in his Word that he will never leave nor forsake us.

Psalm 45:11 adorns us with this beautiful truth, “The King is enthralled (fascinated) with your beauty. Honor Him for He is your Lord.” 

The Lord is fascinated with you because He loves you! When we begin to put our love into action, worship God with every fiber of our being, and think more highly of others—our lives no longer have a place for sin. Our lives should look like a vibrant fashion show where we link up with others to show off our magnificent designer, God the Father.

Our “Load” is one of delight. And because of that—we must be peculiar people,

living ordinary lives,

seeking to show off an extraordinary Savior!