Pursuing Excellence

Word Filled Wednesday: Proverbs 31:24 "She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes."

Is anyone else overwhelmed by the Proverbs 31 woman yet? Let me be completely honest - I am! Over the past 16 week series, we've watched her be a jewel to her husband, children, servants and even the poor. We've watched her rise early, stay up late, plant a vineyard, sew her own clothes, her family's clothing, the tapestries and beddings! And now we see that the Proverbs 31 woman knows she is capable of more and she does more! The cherry on top of all of this woman's work is excellence!

The lesson in Proverbs 31:24 is she is willing to use her talents to add to her family's finances BUT she does not sacrifice the family pursuing them.

The Proverbs 31 woman doesn't just make linen - she makes "fine" linen. She applies excellence to her work. Excellence is not perfection but rather offering quality work. And as a result - her product was in demand by the merchants. The merchants were most likely from Canaan and Egypt and most likely wealthy. So she could interact with people from all walks of life from the poor to the wealthy and she did it with excellence.

The Proverbs 31 woman's family, the merchants and the poor benefited from the Proverbs 31 woman's diligence in her home business. As you ponder this verse ask yourself:

1. What are my talents?

2. During this season of life, if I use my talents to benefit my family financially will I be sacrificing in other priority areas?

3. If the answer to number 2 is no, then am I performing my talent with excellence? In what ways could I be better trained or put more time into becoming excellent at what I do?

For some, this is not the season of life to pursue your talents to be used outside of the home. For others, now is the time to spread your wings and use your talents in a new arena. The lesson in Proverbs 31:24 is: she is willing to use her talents to add to her family's finances BUT she does not sacrifice the family pursuing them. Seek God and your husband's wisdom in this decision making process and then whatever you do - do it with excellence like the Proverbs 31 woman!

Walk with the King!

I am participating in Seven Clown Circus Wordful Wednesday and 5 Minutes for Mom Wordless Wednesday.