Hi, My name is Michele Harkins. I am a mom, a business owner, a wife, a home manager, director of fun, room mom, Bible study facilitator and child of the King….so that makes me a Princess, too!
When was the last time you read about the "Proverbs 31 woman?" Can't remember? Well, let's do that together, shall we? (Yes, I'm serious.)
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
WOW! That is exhausting! How many feel ” Yes, that is where I am- a Proverbs 31 woman”? How many feel “ I would like to be, but I’m still in training”? How many think “ when my kids are in school, I will read that again”?
If you are a mom , like me, it is the most exciting and most exhausting- emotionally and physically thing you will ever do.
How many agree with the statement….. Women are the fragrance of their home? Or as we say here in the south” If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”. Hmmm, let’s think about that for a moment…..what does a day look like in your home? What fragrance or tone are you setting in your home?
Women are natural givers and doers and I believe the fragrance of their home, their community and their churches.
That is why Cruise Chics* was created. I was striving to be that Proverbs 31 woman, but I was exhausted. It was all going out and very little coming in. Can you relate? As a new mom, I went to dinner with two of my “mentor moms”. They said the most shocking and liberating thing I ever heard. One said she goes away by herself at least 4x a year. One said she goes about 2x a year. They go for a weekend or just a night. Sometimes just by themselves and sometimes with girlfriends.
I thought WHAT!!! You can do that????? I was so busy trying to be June Cleaver or Proverbs 31 that I never dreamed I could take time for myself, why that would be selfish. Well, it is not selfish! That is a lie from the enemy meant to guilt and wear women down to keep them from all God has meant them to be. You are “on” 24/7- you NEED a break. I needed a break. You need time to regroup, reconnect to God and most importantly-sleep. In fact, the first time I tried it myself. I went away for one night. When I came back my husband saw a different woman. He supports my “time outs”! It benefits my husband, my family and myself!
Ladies, multiple times in the new testament Jesus, went away to pray! It was usually around the time of some of the greatest miracles. So, if Jesus needed to take time out from the crowd or his disciples even and go and be alone with God, how much more do we need to time take and leave our homes and responsibilities and pray and reconnect/recharge our batteries.
At Cruise Chics we desire those women who are giving tirelessly in their homes, churches, schools and communities to come away and be served, pampered, to have quiet time with the Lord, to enjoy worship, teaching and the fellowship with other Christian women. We desire for the women to walk away from the retreat with their love tank filled so they can go back to their homes, churches, schools and communities and continue giving, serving and doing- out of a FULL fuel tank-NOT fumes!
Ladies, imagine no cooking or cleaning for 5 days! Imagine, if you are a mom, taking your time while eating. Imagine getting a FULL night’s sleep. Imagine being encouraged, loved on, made to feel special, beautiful, loved…..that’s Cruise Chics!
Cruise Chics is in our fourth year. We have women join us from all over the country. The first day of the retreat/cruise you could almost light Times Square with the energy and excitement. Women come ready to receive all that God has for them. It is exciting to hear the stories of how God led them to us and how God uses that time in their lives. God has done many miracles in and through this ministry!
We have a lot of women that come every year. This is an annual event and we bring top speakers, authors, and worship leaders. We really try to create a balance of free time to lay by the pool, go to the spa, enjoy rest and our scheduled events. We have a lot of fun with our games, getting to know you activities and we do A LOT of give- aways!
You can come with your mom, sister, daughter, friend or come by yourself and make a new friend! There is something for all women age 13-100+! In fact, we see a lot of multi-generational women coming together.
There are other Christian cruises out there, but none at this price. We keep our prices way down so the average woman can afford to go. We make it very easy to afford by offering monthly payments when you book early.
Church 4 Chicks has graciously partnered with us in helping women attend and receive the benefit of attending next year's Cruise Chics:
Followers of this blog can get FREE Pre-Paid gratuities by using PROMO CODE C4C13. Plus, if you book by August 15th, you go into a drawing to win your cruise HALF OFF! Deposit of only $50 and monthly payments as low as $79.
Also, please come find us on Facebook at Cruise Chics Women’s Retreat or visit our website www.CruiseChics.com.
*Cruise Chics is not affiliated with Church 4 Chicks, inc.
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