In honor of the International Women's Day on March 8, I decided to go through my Bible and pull out the 25 most sacred gems that describe a Godly, set-apart woman. This list is not by any means exclusive (its really just the tip of the iceberg!), but we hope you see bits and pieces of yourself in the list + are inspired to fully become the woman God intended us to grow into:

1. A Tirzah Girl is gracious because she always treats everyone with courtesy and kindness.

When a frienemy tries to start an argument, she doesn't respond with insults, but with positivity. She is constant source of encouragement, even for those who can do nothing for her in return.

"A gracious woman attains honor." -Proverbs 11:16

2. She extends genuine friendship to everyone she meets.

She actively listens when others speak (her phone is put away somewhere far away so there are no distractions), and takes an interest in others instead of centering the attention on herself.

"A [wo]man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." -Proverbs 18:24

3. She cares for those that society tends to ignore.

For example, the girl who sits alone in the corner of the cafeteria, the homeless veteran on the corner by her favorite coffee shop, and the people who society has deemed worthless.

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." -James 1:27

4.  She has a heart for learning and approaches the world with genuine curiosity.

She is quick to ask for guidance from those who are wiser than her, and is never afraid to admit that she can always learn more.

"A wise [wo]man will hear and increase learning, and a [wo]man of understanding will attain wise counsel." -Proverbs 1:5

5. She is submissive to her Lord and to her husband.

She is not a doormat or voiceless, but has a quiet spirit of obedience and intelligence that is rooted in humility and respect. If she is in her single season, she still honors her future husband by keeping herself pure and supporting him in prayer.

"Wives submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord." -Colossians 3:18

6. She is generous with her time, talents, finances and resources.

For she recognizes that everything she has is the Lord's, temporarily placed in her custody.

"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." -Luke 6:38

7. She works hard, but does not glorify busy-ness.

Idleness has no place in her life, but instead she spends her day doing everything for His name to be glorified - whether it's homework, washing the dishes or working the cash register at her local grocery store. Her time is spent intentionally, not wastefully.

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31

8. She strives to build things up, instead of tearing things (or people) apart.

She works towards making her dreams a reality, and knows that her treasures are stored up in Heaven and not in material wealth.

"The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands." -Proverbs 14:1

9. She lives with dignity.

A Tirzah Girl doesn't spread gossip, speak ill of others, start arguments, or deceive others for her own benefit. Should she even be shunned or persecuted for her beliefs, she will not waver in her faith or convictions.

"Likewise, wives must be reverent, not slanders, temperate, faithful in all things." -1 Timothy 3:11

10. Her strength comes from the Lord alone.

Even when the days are long and the nights are sleepless, her strength does not waver because her God is the unending source of her strength.

"Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore." -1 Chronicles 16:11

11. She is clothed in modesty and godliness.

She chooses to dress in clothes that preserve her royal status. More importantly, she knows that her beauty and worth don't come from her clothes, hairstyle, makeup, jewelry, or the number on her scale, but from the One who created her before the beginning of time.

"In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing but which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works." -1 Timothy 2:9-10

12. She fears the Lord, not in terror, but in humble awe of His great power and grace.

She knows how great and mighty her Father is, but she also knows that He loves her individually - flaws and all. Therefore she is obedient to Him and trusts Him to fulfill His work in her life even when it seems like everything is falling apart.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." -Proverbs 9:10

13. Her words are full of wisdom, truth, and kindness.

She is quick to listen and slow to speak. She is sought after for her advice, and people leave her presence lighter than they came.

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness." -Proverbs 31:26

14. She meditates in prayer and is in constant sync with her Heavenly Father.

When she has  a problem, God is the first one she turns to for guidance and comfort. And, she is quick to carry other's burdens in her prayers.

"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving." -Colossians 4:2

15. She has learned to be content in all of life's circumstances

Whether it is in wealth or poverty; sickness or in health; hardship or luxury.

"I know how to be abased, and I know how to be abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:12-13

16. Although she is hard-working, she also understands the beauty and gift of rest.

She knows when its time to unplug, when to get her sleep, when to ditch the to-do list in exchange for family time, and when to say no (no matter how tempting the opportunity).

"And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." -Genesis 2:2-3

17. She spends quite time in her God's presence through daily Bible study and prayer.

The pages of her Bible are worn with love and faith. Scripture is at the forefront of her mind at all times and she is quick to fight the enemy's lies with His truth.

"This  Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." -Joshua 1:8

18. She is a help to her husband, family, friends, and even strangers on the street.

She is quick to put her schedule on hold to comfort a struggling friend or do a good deed for someone in need.

"And the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.'" -Genesis 2:18

19. She takes care of her body by feeding it nutritious meals, being active and getting a good night's sleep.

She has educated herself on the harms of artificial food ingredients and has made the commitment to honor the temple in which the Holy Spirit resides.

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" -1 Corinthians 3:16

20.  She is love. Always. To everyone.

"'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." -Mark 12:31

21. She has inherited a kingdom beyond this world.

Therefore, she is aware of her royal status and lives accordingly. She is the daughter of the King of Kings, who was created for such a time as this.

"But you are chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are not the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." -1 Peter 2:9-10

22. She feels called to make a difference in the world.

Whether it's through raising God-fearing children, running a corporation, ministering abroad or simply by having a ready smile for everyone she meets.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." -Ephesians 2:10

23. She has a grateful heart and a willing spirit.

The Tirzah girl is aware of how blessed she is and always takes the opportunity to say thank you - to God and to others. She doesn't focus on what she lacks or compare herself to others. Therefore, her joy is found only in Him and transcends all of life's valleys.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -1 Thessalonians 5:16

24. Her confidence is in the Lord, not her own beauty.

When the world tells girls to look within or to flaunt their strengths for beauty, the Tirzah girl finds her boldness at the feet of her Lord. She freely admits she is nothing outside of Him, and that with Him, she truly can do anything.

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." -Proverbs 31:30

25. She is truly set apart from the world.

The Tirzah girl is a light to her world. Her allegiance to the Lord is evident for all to see because she doesn't walk, talk, dress, think, or act like the world. She radiates inner beauty, joy, and peace that leaves others wondering what her secret is.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." -Matthew 5:14

So, today, our deepest prayer for you is that you may embody every one of these characteristics and so much more. May this community be the place that helps you thrive and grow into the woman God created you to be.

// image one via style me pretty // image two by peter oswald