12:51, Wednesday, February 7, 2007
I received the following email this morning and thought it worthy of sharing :) If you know of anyone that would be interested, pass this along to them. ~ Rachel
Dear Friends,
Just because you don't have a husband or beau, you can still celebrate Valentine's Day in a very meaningful way. Last year, I hosted a Valentines contest for unmarried women here and it was such a hit, I decided to make it an annual event. The inspiration for this contest comes from a blog reader, Rachel, who wrote last year:
As I read about the Valentine's Day contests, I was reminded of something that happened several years ago.
I had almost neglected to notice that it was Valentine's Day, being an unmarried daughter who has chosen to avoid traditional dating practices. But that afternoon, a friend a little older than I dropped by our house, explaining that she was on a mission to deliver miniature roses to all the unmarried girls she knew who are committed a courtship mindset (and thus wouldn't be receiving roses or cards from any guys). Even though I wasn't struggling with contentment that day, her special gift really blessed and encouraged me.
Just yesterday, I resolved to follow her example and do something to encourage other like-minded young ladies who are seeking to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to follow His ways. Perhaps you could initiate a contest with this goal.
Another idea: Maybe the unmarried daughters' contest could be to help married couples to celebrate Valentine's Day (ex., facilitate their parents' plans, offer to babysit for a couple with small children).
I think that with either of these, the goal would be to fulfill the instruction given in Hebrews 13:4 ~ "Marriage is to be held in honor among all."
Details:
You must be unmarried to participate in this contest and, to keep things simple, it is only open to unmarried females (not to discriminate against the unmarried males who read this blog -- if you want to have your own contest, you are free to sponsor it. :). There is not age limit minimum or maximum.
To enter:
1. Write down how you, as an unmarried woman, are going to celebrate Valentine's Day in a way that will encourage other young women, encourage married couples, or any other creative idea you have that will hold up marriage as honorable and/or show love to someone else (your family, friends, neighbors, the elderly, shut-ins, anyone who might be in need of extra love right now). Perhaps it might even be something you are doing to deepen your relationship with the Lord. Be creative; the sky is the limit! I will be posting some of the entries which come in on my blog, so I'd love to have you send pictures along with your entry, if you can take pictures of your celebration or project.
2. Submit this idea to me via email along with your full name and mailing address - biblicalwomanhood AT sbcglobal.net.
I will accept entries through February 16th, 2007.
All valid entries will be entered into a drawing for a prize package I've put together with lots of special goodies. In addition, you will receive a $15 gift certificate to a business/store/company/website of your choosing.
Also, two companies have donated the following gifts to the Grand Prize gift package:
-Cherabella Jewelry is donating a $15 gift certificate for their Designer Inspired Jewelry.
http://www.cherabella.com/store/
-Lady in Waiting magazine is donating a free one-year subscription to their magazine dedicated to encouraging unmarried women. http://www.artistryalar.com/ladyinwaiting.html
(By the way, if you have a business and would be interested in donating a prize, email me for more details!)
We are in the process of working on a few special prizes for runners-up as well. Stay tuned and pass the word along! The more entries, the better! Instead of Valentine's Day being a day of dreariness and sadness for those who are unmarried, let's make it an exciting day of blessing and encouragement. "It is more blessed to give, than to receive."
Blessings!
Crystal Paine
http://www.BiblicalWomanhood.com
