TCHH: Meaningful Notes #11

You will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path. ~Proverbs 2:9 NIV

What do you value? What is most important to you? How do your outward choices reflect your inner values? It is said that reputation is what you do when everyone is looking; character is what you do when no one is watching. God calls you to integrity, to live out higher values in your daily life. The Bible helps you to discern what is just, helping you to align your values and priorities with God's will.

You are constantly growing as a woman. As you mature in your life and faith, the things you value may change, reflecting your growth in Christ. What do you value? Do you honor the Lord or serve yourself? Are you choosing to do good work in the world? Do you tell the truth - not only to others but to yourself? Are you trustworthy and dependable? Are you loyal? What king of friends do you cultivate? Where do you spend your money? Are you willing to wrestle with difficult questions or do you prefer easy answers? How do you spend your time?

Living out your values isn't about a "spiritually correct" list of dos and don'ts. It is about living life from the heart. If you are truly honest with yourself about what you value, you will naturally make choices that reflect what's important to you.

For this swap, you will send your partner a short letter on pretty stationary or in a note card. You will write about values and character.

Some examples on things to do or write about are:

• Take a look at your current priorities and see if they reflect your inner values. Realize that priorities change, but values are the motivation for the choices I make.

• Eat a piece of fruit instead of a sugary doughnut, and go for a walk instead of being a couch potato. Write about how you need to make lifestyle changes in order to show you value life.

• Do a Bible study on character traits.

• Spend an afternoon with encouraging friends. Write about your afternoon and your wonderful friends.

• You may want to answer some of the questions in the second paragraph above.

This is a sender's choice swap. Just write about values and character. However you wish to discuss it is up to you.

Also send your partner a small flat surprise. Some examples are a magazine article, a poem, a postcard, stickers, tea, profile surprise, a bookmark...