Does Your Hat Fit

What comes to mind when you hear the cliche' “s/he wears many hats?:  Someone who has

o       Multiple jobs/businesses;

o       Community/volunteer work;

o       Church work;

o       Family involvement; and/or

o       Education

Anything missing?  (What about “me-time”?)

How much can one person accomplish (in an hour, day, week, month, year) realistically?  The person who “seemingly” handles multiple projects simultaneously is commonly labeled a multitasker.  I know people use that term, but is there such a thing?  Can one realistically juggle multiple projects simultaneously? OR Does one project have the priority while the others are on hold until they are picked up again?  I am not sure there is a right or wrong answer, it’s just food for thought

We are all different with varying levels of capacity – what we can handle -- some can handle multiple tasks at once; but others cannot.  That does not mean my worth is diminished because I can’t keep up with you.  It’s important to:

·       Know your limitations.  If you don’t know what they are, it’s time to take inventory. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.  You need to identify your strengths and weaknesses and be OK with them.

·       Set healthy boundaries; and

·       Protect yourself (heart) at all times – that doesn't mean you are so guarded that you can't love or be loved -- you have to learn balance

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23 AMP)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NKJV)

Let’s take a look at a character that would be labeled as a super Multi-Tasker and featured in the World’s Most 100 Powerful Women if she were alive today.  I’ll refer to her as the “Hat Lady”:  Proverbs 31:10-31.  Contrary to popular belief this is a (acrostic) poem about a married woman, notice her name is not even listed.

Dorcas/Tabitha: had many of the Proverbial characteristics (Acts 9:36-39): She was a business woman, clothing designer; community worker; philanthropist.  I assume she was single with no children because there is no mention of them grieving her death when she passed.  We can assume she was wealthy because poor people are not in a position to be as generous as Dorcas.  She was also a woman of good character; trustworthy; committed; faithful

Proverbial woman's character by verse:

¹⁰ Virtuous women are hard to find, that's why they are so precious

Virtuous (Webster): conforming to moral and ethical principles; morally excellent; upright

¹¹ Her husband can trust her, she adds to his person.
¹² She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

Business Woman (multiple businesses: clothing designer; tailor; realtor, agriculturist)

¹³ She made her fabric.  There was no JoAnn's, Britex or Michaels.

¹⁴ Family first; spares no expense; the eat organic/international foods
¹⁵ Up before dawn preparing breakfast; planning the day for her employees

¹⁶ She is a visionary, knows a good deal when she sees it and takes action

            Not so busy that she neglects her family

            They have the best

Living to the Full:  planner; organized; crafty; resourceful

¹⁷ She is energetic, strong, a hard worker.
¹⁸ She makes sure her dealings are profitable, she doesn’t waste her valuable time on fly by night deals, schemes and nonsense.  She can often be found working until late at night.
²⁰ She helps the poor and needy
²¹ She doesn't just think about today, she plans ahead.

Husband: a man of importance (religiously, civically and/or both)
²³ Her husband is well known in the community, he engages with civic leaders on a regular basis.  Though she is a powerhouse in and of herself, she honors him and his profession

Wise; sense of humor; prepared for the future

²⁵ She is not worried about her future (current state of the economy); she is prepared for the future and her money works for her it (e.g. stocks, bonds, high yielding interest accounts)
²⁶ She doesn't talk just to hear herself, her words are kind and wise be it instruction or advice
²⁷ Nothing happens in her house without her knowledge; “Lazy” is not in her vocabulary.

Incredible mother and wife

²⁸ Her children thinks she is superwoman, they brag on her all the time
²⁹ “There are lots of great women in the world but she surpasses them all

³⁰ Did I mention she fears the Lord?

Mighty woman of God
³¹ Her work speaks for her and they publicly declare her praise.

How many hats (positions, titles, gifts) do you wear?

Do they fit?

If not, did you borrow it and have conveniently forgotten to return it (them) or did you steal it (them) outright due to:

            Jealousy, envy, trickery, bribery, etc.

Did you really earn that position (hat) or

Did you lie to get it?

How far will you go to keep it?

Look at your hats (positions)

Are you really where God wants you to be? Or did you or someone else put you there?

Do you know what you are doing? Or are you faking it, stealing other people’s ideas and taking the credit for them?

Are you so excited about your work that people have to remind you to stop and go home? Or are you irritable, dreading your arrival and can’t wait to leave?

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5 NLT)

In His Humble Excellence

Tania