Southern Belles...Then and Now //A Devotion/History Article

Hello Friends! Today, I have a fun little article for you on what makes a Southern Belle…Then and Now 😊 I hope you enjoy.

1. She dresses well. This does not mean she is rich or had frilly dresses. This means that she cares about what she looks like. She is put together and looks like a lady.

2. She is humble. Southern Belles aren’t known because they come charging into the room demanding everyone’s attention. Rather, it is her quiet, humble spirit that causes others to take notice of her.

3. She is educated. She is not ignorant of current events and can discuss them intelligently and in a feminine manner.

4. She is a conversationalist. Southern Belles are known for their pleasant smile and genial conversations. She knows how to include others in her conversations and what topics will best suite any given situation and audience. She is well spoken and certainly not a ditz.

5. She honors religion. While being a Christian is not a requirement to be a Southern Belle, it is proper to attend church and engage in spiritual discourse suited to her femininity. A Christian Belle reads her Bible and engages in church work, such as visiting the poor, teaching a children’s Sunday school class or singing for services. Taking their devotion a step further in the Christian Belle community, she will be present for all weekday meetings unless prohibited by an emergency.

6. She knows how to cook. Surprise, surprise! Southern Belles are by no means lazy, sitting around all day with nothing but fancy work to keep her busy. She knows how to feed a family, clean and keep a house. In the old days, it wasn’t uncommon for a young family to pull up stakes and move west, so these skills were a must for any young lady. One never knows where marriage will take them. Better to have the skills and marry into a house with servants than to know nothing and marry a pioneer (or a missionary😊).

7. She loves her family. Family is an important part of Southern living and most are very closely knit. A true Southern Belle values her family above all else…well, except God of course.  

8. She is loyal. To what you may ask? God. Her Family. The South and what it stands for. Her beliefs. She’s not going to jilt any of these to get “the better end of a bargain.”

9. She never uses curse words. Some may disagree with me and say that a Southern Belle might use a carefully chosen word to enhance her point. But I beg to differ. Southern Belles are ladies and Ladies. Never. Cuss. Period.

10. She knows her place. She does not stand on a soap box demanding equal rights with men. She understands what God created her to be…a keeper at home and nurturer of her family. She understands her rights: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. But that doesn’t mean Liberty to break the laws of God by joining the feminist movement. A true Southern Belle looks down on this as beneath her. She is respected for her stand and loved for what God has created her to be.

In conclusion, I have inserted Proverbs 31:10-31. Regardless of where you are from, the above principles and the scriptures below are things every young lady should strive for. Continue your journey today!
 
Vs. 1o “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” (Strive to be virtuous and priceless.)

Vs. 11 “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” (The kind of wife that your (future) husband can trust without reservation.)

Vs. 12 “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” (This includes before her marriage.)

Vs. 13 “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” (Seek work to do and don’t be lazy.)

Vs. 14-15 “She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” (Make a habit of getting up early. Learn to cook and do it well.)

Vs. 16-17 “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” (Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty! Also, it’s good to stay in shape! It’s Biblical!)

Vs. 18-19 “She percieveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.” (Work hard and enjoy the results! Sewing sounds like a good skill to take up…)

Vs. 20 “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” (Don’t be content to enjoy your bounty. Share it with those in need.)

Vs. 21-22 “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.” (Don’t allow the changing seasons to take you and your family by surprise. And though your clothes don’t have to be expensive, you should have a desire to look nice and neat.)

Vs. 23 “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” (Don’t marry a dead beat. Wait for the right one that God has for you. One with a good testimony of godly character.

Vs. 24-25 “She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” (Again, be a hard worker. Your reputation/testimony should be sound. In the future, you will be glad you lived your life for God.)

Vs. 26 “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” (Only good things should come out of your mouth. Your words shouldn’t hurt people, but heal and encourage.)

Vs. 27- 28 “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” (In all that you do, don’t neglect your family. They will look up to you and respect you for it.)

Vs. 29 “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” (Follow these instructions and you will be a woman regarded by God as the highest in virtue.)

Vs. 30 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Outward beauty is not what makes a lady beautiful and praiseworthy; it is her fear of God. Do you fear the Lord?)

Vs. 31 “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Your works speak volumes about you. Will yours praise you or condemn you?)

I have also made a little graphic here with the 1o points of a Southern Belle...Then and Now. Please feel free to copy the image for future reference and pass it along to others!

God Bless and have a lovely day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22