Do You Have a Dream?

Word Filled Wednesday: Proverbs 31:16 "She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard."

Today is week eight of our Proverbs 31 series. This woman is truly amazing! The thing that stands out to me most is her work ethic. She labors with all her energy to benefit her family as an early riser, eager worker, and smart shopper. Today's character trait is a summation of all of these.

In verse 16 we see:
1. She considers a field. She is not rash to jump into things. She is patient, cautious and prayerful. She sees a field and can imagine what it could become - she is a visionary! I love that about her - she is creative!

2. She buys the field! No matter how you translate this - this is a business deal. She buys the field. Rather than spending the family's extra money on frivolous pleasures for herself she wisely invests in something that will benefit the family.

3. She plants a vineyard - Once again we see her work ethic. Planting a vineyard is not an easy task. She works hard and as a result her family benefits! At harvest time they will have plentiful fruit and drink.

Do you have a dream? Do you have a talent you wish you could use to contribute to your families' finances? Follow the Proverbs 31 woman's plan.

1. Consider - take time to pray about this. Ask God if this is the right season of life to invest time and money into this dream? Will this pull you away from your family or benefit your family?

2. Buy - most likely resources will be necessary for your dream to take place. You may have to buy materials, renovate a room in your home or purchase new clothing. What ever it is - be wise. Be prudent with your family's money.

3. Plant - here's where the rubber meets the road. You must work hard to accomplish your dream. It won't happen overnight. It will take day in and day out over sight and care. They'll be setbacks and frustrations. You must persevere to reap the fruit of your labor.

I feel like I experienced this verse when I considered starting Women Living Well. This blog was a dream in 2008. From January until August I prayed - should I or should I not start a website. Was this some silly idea I was coming up with or was this a work God had created me to do? I consulted my husband and together we considered the time factor. Do I have the time? Is this the right season of life? What is my purpose? One big benefit was that I could do this ministry from home - unlike the ministry I was doing at the time.

We knew I had the passion - but time is a commodity that we value highly! Could I really "squeeze" it in and still accomplish our other family goals? Together my husband and I decided "yes" this was a dream placed in my heart from God.

Once I had considered the dream and the time factor - it was time to "buy". Buy the domain Womenlivingwell.org, a blog design and a few other items.

Now I am in the planting part. Daily I have to work to see the dream take shape.

I don't make a penny from this website and I don't ever intend to. But I know of many talented moms who are able to sew, craft, bake or create amazing things with their hands. I want to encourage you to not shy away from your dreams. From my own experience, I would say that I believe God places those dreams in your heart.

Every woman from the corner diner waitress to the Corporate CEO has a dream in her heart. We all have common dreams placed in our hearts by God - to be the best wives, moms and homemakers we can be. But after that we each have unique talents and gifts. When the talent and timing match the dream (and your husband is in full support which you will find out during the "consideration" time) I believe God is in it.

Right now in this season of life it may not be the time to invest time or finances in your dream. But pray and wait and when the timing is right - do it like the Proverbs 31 woman - to the glory of God!

Walk with the King!