Sixteenth Birthday Party
by Beverly Smith
I wanted to share with you the idea of a Proverbs 31 birthday party. My parents had one for me when I turned sixteen, and the effects were far reaching.
Unbeknownst to me, each invited guest was to give me a gift based on one of the verses in Proverbs 31:10-31. Each gift was to be for my hope chest, and was to be saved for the future (for marriage if God so blessed me).
I still have the cards and gifts that were given to me ...For example:
Verse 15: "She also rises while it is yet night ..." I received a beautiful porcelain clock.
Verse 16: "She considers a field and buys it..." I received a lovely couch throw with embroidered seed packets on it.
Verse 18: "... her lamp does not go out by night." I received an elegant crystal lamp, and two pairs of candlesticks -- one brass and one crystal.
Verse 21: ...for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. I received some absolutely lovely purple material and a sewing box.
These are just some of the things I received on that birthday. I also received a gorgeous apron, some cookbooks, vases, and even a set of dishes! It was such a surprise - I knew about the party but not the Proverbs 31/hopechest theme.
Everyone wrote out the verse that they were representing with their gift, and a note to me. These things are reflected all around my home today. People kept up with the theme for future gifts for me also.
When I got married, it was so exciting to take out each carefully wrapped item and show my husband the things I had saved for our future home. I also remember that when we had secured an apartment that we would live in, and my mom and I went to start cleaning and moving in, that I was able to decorate with table scarves, candles and doilies right away.
©Beverly Smith