Getting Down to Business

As we take another peek into the life of the Proverbs 31 woman, we once again find her hard at work. Verse 24 says, "She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant."

The Virtuous Woman is Enterprising.

Enterprising is defined as showing initiative and willingness to undertake new projects. The lady described here is using a skill she has developed to help her family in a financial way. She is creative and has at least a degree of business-savvy as she works with the merchant to deliver her product.

This is an area in which I would certainly like to improve. One of my prayers is that the Lord would help me find an opportunity to earn some extra income. Have you found a way to creatively market a talent or skill that you have?

The second area in which I find myself challenged in this verse is in realizing what a time manager she must have been to accomplish all of these tasks! I am confident that her care of her husband and children didn't suffer because she was making the linen to sell. One of my goals for the new year is to become better at allocating my time according to my priorities. Crystal at Money Saving Mom has been sharing a helpful series on this topic and I'd enjoy hearing any tips you have as well!

photo courtesy public domain pictures

One of the Others

While some plod through life, others skip.

Some shy away from the spotlight; others welcome it, basking in its glow.

There are the quiet types, the thinkers who measure their words and phrases carefully. The others find words tumbling from their lips, always eager to express their thoughts and share the rainbow of emotions that carries them from mountain peak to valley deep.

You are one of those others. You take life as it comes, moving at your own pace, finding in each moment something to capture your attention. Your nature is to give and your desire is to please.

This is who you've become in just eight short years. The baby who made her way into the world in her own time and in her own way is developing into her own person, one who brings joy and spreads sunshine wherever she goes.


Happy Birthday, dear daughter!

Double Digits

Numbers are a funny thing; their value changes depending on your perspective.

Take the number ten, for example. It could be the score of your favorite sports team in last week's game, the amount of money you drop in a donation basket, the number of Christmas presents you still need to purchase - or, it could be an age.

This week my oldest daughter turned ten. She was so excited; I was a bit melancholy. You see, should she leave home for college at age eighteen, she's already lived with us over half of the years she'll be at home.

That's sobering. There's so much I want to teach her, share with her, prepare her for, experience with her - and learn from her. As my dad reminded me this week, our control as parents lessens as our children grow, although, Lord willing, our influence continues.

Yet how can I but join in her excitement? In His goodness, God has given me these past ten years to be her mother. The next ten aren't guaranteed. But may I seize each day and live it to its fullest as we make many more memories together. May her father and I use our influence to help her find the life the Lord would have for her. And in a variety of ways, may I show the love I have for her that began on a beautiful December afternoon just ten years ago and has but grown deeper and stronger since.


[Additional Note: This morning, my daughter asked me if she is now a "pre-teen." Um, no. Let's not rush this growing-up process!!]