8 Traits of a Woman Extraordinaire by Laconia Dudley

Today’s guest blogger is Laconia Dudley Dunn. As a minister of the Word of God, Laconia reaches people through real-life Bible application.  She has ministered to a wide array of groups including singles, young adults, women, youth, ministry staff personnel, church leaders, and a host of others.

She is the Founder and CEO of Heart Changers Int’l Ministries, based in Grand Prairie, TX.  It is a ministry centrally focused on the love of God.  Its mission is to minister to the demands of people by addressing the spiritual need locally, remotely, and internationally. 

Laconia Dunn is the co-owner of Smith & Dunn, LLC, a publishing company that highlights her writing talents, including professional editing, proofreading, content management, and preparation of resumes, bios and business letters. 

Having been afforded the opportunity to teach through writing, she currently acts as Assistant Editor for Epitome Magazine; a locally published Christian magazine who lives by their brand, “not gossip, just gospel.”

In 2011, Laconia Dunn released her first book, “From Honeymoon to Hell” a Christian fiction novel that focuses on the realities of marriage through the lens of both the believer and non-believer alike. She is currently working on her next project scheduled for release midsummer 2014. 

A native Texan, Laconia Dunn graduated from the University of North Texas in 1992, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.  In May 2004, she  graduated from an intense 2 year MIT (Ministers in Training) program that focused on advanced Bible concepts, relationships with God’s people, effective hermeneutics, homiletics, theology, and divinity, to name a few.  After which, she received her license to preach.  She has current plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Theology.  She is married to Tony Dunn.  Together, they have two children, Tristan and Treniti. 

The word “extraordinaire” is a derivative of the word “extraordinary” which is defined as very unusual or remarkable; unusually great. That’s exactly what we think about when we attribute the word to any person, place or thing that we think highly of.

Men and women throughout the Bible display extraordinary characteristics. From the very beginning with the man, Adam, all the way to the end with the Divine man, Christ, we find extraordinary examples of remarkably great men and women.

One supreme example of a remarkable Biblical character is found in Proverbs 31. Here we have an example of a woman who displays such strong characteristics that it seems impossible to emulate her. However, in healthy interaction with women, whether friends, family, business, or clergy, I discovered that the “best of the best” share a few strong similarities to the Proverbs 31 woman. I call it the woman extraordinaire, taken from the glimpse we are given in the Proverbs 31 description.

1. A Woman Extraordinaire is trustworthy (v11). She keeps the confidence of others thereby establishing a sense of safety and security. She builds stable and solid foundations while enhancing the self-esteem of those around her. Women that possess a level of trustworthiness are highly regarded in relationships, both professional and ministerial. They are called to tasks that are sensitive and are usually the first contacted when issues arise.

2. The Woman Extraordinaire is an Entrepreneur or Self-Made Business Person (v13-16). The ability to even think beyond the ordinary conjures up desires that most of us can only imagine. Like the desire for ownership. Most of us don’t desire to own our own anything but we work well in the background, assisting those that have the ability to self-discover, own, or operate ventures or ministries closest to their hearts and ours. That’s not a bad thing, for that too, often qualifies as extraordinary character. However, extraordinary women are those that are passionate about being an entrepreneur (v13-16) or self-made businessperson so they just do it! They usually don’t wait or procrastinate and don’t mind being out front. They simply develop a plan to get the job done … no questions asked!

3. Being Extraordinary at Anything Takes Courage (v17). You have to have the mental strength to see a venture come to pass. You must be willing to withstand danger and fight your fears. A courageous person must push through and persevere to the end. Forget defeat! Quitting is not an option. If you’re going to be extraordinary, you must learn to endure beyond limits, push past boundaries and stand, even in the face of defeat. The level of your courage shall determine the height of your woman extraordinaire stature.

4. The Woman Extraordinaire Must be Loyal (v28). Though this quality is often exhibited in those of us who are not necessarily considered extraordinary, those of us that are, can’t obtain such a status without being loyal. Loyalty is the tie that binds us. It is the glue that makes everything gel. It says, “I’m in it to win it! Until the very end, you can count on me!” It is the determining factor of success or failure of a relationship, business, or even ministry. The best of extraordinary women are loyal to a fault.

5. Extraordinary Women Share (v20). Extraordinary women share their thoughts and ideas, services and resources, and often, their finances. Sharing is a crucial component in your woman extraordinaire. It is also a characteristic that is guaranteed, Bible tested, “Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over…” (Luke 6:38). Without word or thought, the extraordinary woman knows the value of sharing and does so, not only because of the promise, but also for the reward for herself and those around her.

6. The Woman Extraordinaire is Passionate (v21, 27b). It’s that feeling, way down deep in her bones that she can’t get rid of. It forces her to act; compels her to respond; moves her into motion. It drives her beyond limits. It’s so intense; she could do it with her eyes closed. She doesn’t need to get paid; demands no accolades. She doesn’t even desire a pat on the back. When passion is moving through her bones, success is inevitable.

7. An Extraordinary Woman is a Motivator (v26, 28-29). She is motivated and motivates others. She speaks positive insight and builds up the inner man. She gives facts mixed with faith and acts as a guide or counsel. She makes it pertinent that others respond, while making sure she’s there to help them through.

8. The Woman Extraordinaire is Reverent (v30b). She is respectful. She knows her position and responds to it carefully. She is pensive and worshipful. She moves with thought and precision. As a reverent individual, she both gives and receives.

Plainly put, the woman extraordinaire is quite the woman. Though she is rare in some circles, where she exists, she stands out above the crowd. The Psalmist says that her work is more valuable than rubies (v10). She’s an observer who moves with wisdom and grace. Highly regarded and reverently requested, her presence is known by the qualities she possesses.

The Bible says, “Your gifts will make room for you (Proverbs 18:16).” The woman extraordinaire waits as her gifts position her for greatness. As they manifest, she’s open to who they place her in the company of, what they have to offer, where they will take her and how they will affect others. She’s not only gifted. She’s likeable, gracious, kind and honorable.

The good news is that any woman can be extraordinary! All you have to do is observe God’s ways, follow the Word, and ask God to mold you into the woman he designed you to be; the woman extraordinaire.