Today’s Blog: Not Just For Women
TODAY’S PROVERB: She selects wool and flax and her hands work willingly. Proverbs 31:13, TLV
Wool and flax. Wool for cold weather. Linen (flax) for warm weather. The accomplished woman modeled in Proverbs 31 “pays attention to [her] herd” (Proverbs 27:23). She knows the value of quality and won’t compromise because it’s worn by her family.
The Proverbs 31 sister could have hired tailors and dressmakers, but she learned how to find the best materials, because she wanted to see the projects through. From start to finish, she finishes each project she begins.
Sigh.
Finish the job
Of all the admirable qualities in this chapter, I feel most convicted by this. Not because of the whole making clothes-thing, but the finishing what she started.
All too often my enthusiasm at the beginning of a project wanes as I run into complications or other responsibilities pull me away. Do you struggle with this problem, too?
Since moving to the South, I was introduced to Hobby Lobby. Wow! Nearly every conceivable craft project is attractively display on an acre of linoleum. Everything one needs to carry out these activities is right there — except the diligence to see them through. Can’t find that on the shelf.
Do you have difficulty with finishing the “wool and flax” in your life?
The Types of Projects
I’m learning that it’s important to see projects as opportunities to learn perseverance, courage, diligence, commitment, and discernment.
The way I see it, there are two types of projects:
- Must be done: like cleaning the garage or attic.
- Want to do: like trying a new recipe or how to play the guitar.
Once we know the type of project, we can determine the resources required to accomplish it. This includes time as well as finances, materials, and such.
The venture we Must Do should have first dibs on our resources. Set goals for each step, then reward yourself after accomplishing each goal. Perhaps choose one of your Want to Dos.
Want to Dos shouldn’t be excluded from our lives. They are the adventures that cause us to grow and explore new vistas of creativity — which I believe connect us uniquely with our Creator.
Learning new things may be part of our Must Do. I had a Must Do that combined with a Want to Do. We were invited to a Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) dinner, and I was asked to bring a dessert. There was a recipe I had always wanted to try, but it required a spring-form pan. I didn’t own one and had never used one.
Purchasing the right sized pan, following the recipe, and delivering to the dinner completed the Must Do. It was a success. And, even better, it was delicious and fulfilled my Want to Do.
Tackle the Must Dos
If we have lists, boxes, and bags of unfinished projects, maybe it’s time to work on a Must Do this week. Choose one or two — small ones — and finish them. Then reward yourself with something fun — maybe, a Want to Do.
Finding the balance between the Musts and Wants will help us grow and be more responsible. It will also feel great when the Musts are less than the Wants. And, that’s a good thing.
May we seek our “wool and flax” projects wisely, my friends.
Proverbs 31:13 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs
