The Merchant's Ship

She is like a merchant's ship; she brings her merchandise from afar." Proverbs 31:14

I was born with a lot of curiosity. I love creativity and individuality. I have lived a few years and I find that each of us have a little or a lot of all the above.  I'd like to think I am uniquely me and that I have something to contribute to this big world.

One of the places I chose to give to is my family.  I married and bore children by choice and made them an  important part of my life.  Early on,  I decided I was going to give it my best! God designed us to be "keepers of the home".  Recognizing it to be a phenomenal job,  I still wanted to do it!  So I have spent over 40 years designing and developing a "home". It's truly been a challenge! 

Travelling has  enriched my life and I consider myself blessed  and positively affected by my exposure to diverse people and cultures. My husband and I spent alot of time on the road with our family and used it as a means of educating our children.

The Proverbs passage I chose today suggests that this wonderful woman desired merchandise that was suitable for her plans for her home. So she travelled to get them. She was compared to a merchant's ship. A merchant's ship comes to port loaded with wonderful things that have been acquired by searching all over the world. The goods have been tested for durability and service.  Some are just simply purchased for their beauty.

I spent a good portion of time as a keeper of my home exploring ideas and keeping an ear open to the input of others, so I could bring excitement, color and creativity to my surroundings.  Many times I was reminded that the  years pass quickly and this opportunity to provide beauty and blessings for my little family would be gone. I kept busy bringing my "merchandise from afar".

Travelling is expensive. It is also exhausting! There were many days I was weary. Some days I was forced by circumstances to take shortcuts. My energy lagged. I even experienced times when I decided I had reached the limits of going and giving. 

But when I came into port from my journeys from "afar",  unpacked my wonderful purchases, and integrated them into my home, I was thrilled! The excitement that my findings ignited in my home and the contented faces of my household made it all worthwhile.  My hard work provided security for my family.

Every few years would transition into a new phase of living. It was necessary to find appropriate things for that window of time. As I observed all of this through the years, I would be inspired again and again to start making plans for new discoveries on uncharted seas!

So, from one who's" been there",  I encourage you homemakers to travel. Be a merchant's ship. Search out those things that will bring fulfillment to your home. As a keeper of the home,  be responsible for how to feed your family nutritiously and with thrift, yet create a tempting, delicious, and inviting table.   Provide fun entertainment that's clean and educational. Learn to clothe your family attractively and modestly; it is a challenge that will engage a good imagination. Make work ethic desirable; find a positive approach that pulls them in, despite the undesirable nature of the task.  Use the creativity of all the members of your household to display beauty around your home. You are the primary means of inspiration and education for your children. It will cost you and it will exhaust you, but I challenge you to make your home a gracious, structured, and safe place.  You are building lives and making memories.

Sometimes after my searching, my ship was full. Sometimes my goods were sparse. I used what I had, sometimes stretching my capabilities to their limits. Then, when my resources begin to reach exhaustion, I put my sailing hat on and grabbed my spyglass. It was time to sail again.

I'm still searching  for valuable things to challenge and pass on to my children and grandchildren. It's a part of my life I don't think I ever want to relinquish! I find it very rewarding!