During Hurricane Matthew last weekend, I had 5 days with no work and more time at home then normal. I put my hand to all kinds of things such as to a few keys on the piano reminiscing lessons from 17 years ago, picked up the guitar which I probably haven't strummed in 8 years, sang a song, danced in the rain, painted in the morning light after the storm, practiced my Arabic, and I read not as extensively as I ought ... I'll need another storm for that.
With a few minutes to give attention to things out of the norm I was reminded of this section in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
"I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen women in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished,'' said Mr. Darcy.
"Nor I, I am sure," said Miss Bingley.
"Then," observed Elizabeth, "you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished women.''
"Yes; I do comprehend a great deal in it.''
"Oh! certainly," cried his faithful assistant, "no one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved."
"All this she must possess," added Darcy, "and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading."
"I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any."
This scene always makes me chuckle as even today my chocolate chip cookies turned out thinner than lace and the mixture of colors on my painting made one black sky. As I laugh, I wonder. What is an accomplished woman and I seek truth in another quote:
She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands... She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household...Her lamp does not go out at night... She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy...
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue...
With a few minutes to give attention to things out of the norm I was reminded of this section in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
"I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen women in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished,'' said Mr. Darcy.
"Nor I, I am sure," said Miss Bingley.
"Then," observed Elizabeth, "you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished women.''
"Yes; I do comprehend a great deal in it.''
"Oh! certainly," cried his faithful assistant, "no one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved."
"All this she must possess," added Darcy, "and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading."
"I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any."
This scene always makes me chuckle as even today my chocolate chip cookies turned out thinner than lace and the mixture of colors on my painting made one black sky. As I laugh, I wonder. What is an accomplished woman and I seek truth in another quote:
She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands... She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household...Her lamp does not go out at night... She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy...
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue...
Yet, in all of this it is a woman who fears the Lord who is to be praised. Pro. 31
However ill the strum on my guitar, the sound on my vocal chords, or the strokes of my paintbrush may it all be to His glory as he sees what is fit to be accomplished in and through me.
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