I've been creating "things" for well over 15 years. I've done my shares of invitations for all sorts of parties, planned Sweet 15 and or 16 birthday parties, weddings, parties of other sorts, decorating, conferences, retreats, etc... then shifted gears and did cards, favors, chocolates, hair flowers, etc... Some things were business... others personal and others just because... It was an incredibly fun season.
I loved working under stress... the running around, the last minute preparation, bringing dreams to reality, working all night and having my hubby as my sidekick... He was my chauffeur, my consultant, assistant, decorator, and the list goes on and on... and he was a great sport about it (poor thing... as I know none of it truly bought him any joy but he did it because he loved me).
A time came when I had to take a break... it all just seemed like too much and alot of times it wasn't really appreciated or even fun anymore. As more people became more computer savy, people thought they could get a consultation and then take the ideas and do their own thing... or the price was an issue, or they changed their mind...and then at the last minute come back and want help because the work was more than they realized it was going to be.
During this hiatus I've always had my group of people who have tried to encourage me to start back up again or who gave me some projects... but I always stayed in the background many times recommending them to other people. During this time I have just continued to pray for what God would want me to do regarding my love of crafting. In as much as crafting brings me joy... I do have a job, three awesome kids, church related functions and a busy hubby who I love to help!! And in all that I do my ultimate desire is to bring Him glory so I have to be careful that my "wants" don't interfere with His will for my life.
But it truly is remarkable how He sometimes sends someone our way to encourage us and motivate us. Many times I am the one pushing someone to take that step and trying to help them bring that dream for their lives a reality. I love cheering people on, encouraging them. In today's world we just seem to be bombarded with no you can't, you are not good enough, why do you want to do that, etc. Words are truly powerful and we have to be careful we don't extinguish someone's dream.
This past week - a young lady by the name of Joy - has bought so much joy into my life. I really do not know her but we are friends on Facebook so we kinda sorta know each other... but God sent her my way to be a encourager to me and she has been such an incredible firecracker with such beautiful and awesome words... It was almost as if I was listening to myself speak to a friend of mine several months ago letting her know that yes she can do this!!! But now I was on the receiving end, and as much as I was doubting she began to send me messages encouraging me to the point that now I have several projects to do including one for her!!! How did this happen!?!?!?
I don't know where this journey will lead - as Joy has already chosen the name for my business and has come up with a plan (it just totally cracks me up and makes me giddy). After a long time of not being able to see where I was going - I can now begin to see a path which might take me on an interesting journey... and as I shared with my sidekick what was going on... he just smiled and looked at me and said okay. I loved that loving and tender look because knowing I had his support spoke volumes to my heart.
So as I prepare to take a step on this path onto a new journey, I pray you will join me as we have fun sharing my adventures together... and if you know me - you know that right now I'm not focused on the destination but on the laughs I'll have along the way!!! Just have to decided if I want silver sparkly shoes or maybe some nice red ones for this journey!!!
