Time of New Beginnings

We moved to Northwestern Kentucky at the beginning of January from East Tennessee. I had a thriving Pampered Chef business that I had built over the last 3 years. I loved my business, my customers, and the self-worth I felt in what the Lord had given me the wisdom to build.

Growing up in a home where I experienced gaslighting (click on gaslighting to get more information on what gaslighting is) on a consistent basis I felt like I was in a constant state of confusion. Anytime I questioned my mom (as a child or an adult), stood up for myself against accusations, shared my viewpoints, etc. then I was repeatedly told, "That's not what happened and you know it." or "It's because you're so sensitive." or "That's not true." So I was left trying to figure out if what I thought was true was really true. Could it be that I was wrong about what I thought was true? I felt a little crazy.. most of the time! I would spend *days* going over conversations in my mind and trying to sort out the details so I could understand what the "truth" was. It was mentally exhausting.

Due to my "constant state of confusion" I felt truly unintelligent. I didn't feel bright at all. So for me to have built a good business from the ground up made me feel clever! It made me feel like I was capable of great things! After my shows, customers would sit around a table, eat my delicious creations, and praise my accomplishments for a great, entertaining show. They relished the food I prepared for them. I was shocked! I didn't think I could be good at anything!!

So you see, when we moved away from my thriving business I mourned the loss of what I would no longer have. I had the possibility of re-starting my business, but every time I prayed about starting a Pampered Chef business here I just didn't have any sort of peace about it. I even had shows lined up and after much, much prayer I realized the Lord didn't want me to continue on with the business I loved. Despite the fact I didn't understand this call, I obeyed.


So now, fast forward from my resignation to now, exactly 4 months. The Lord has opened up so many doors for me to be in teaching positions here! Unfortunately, none of these are paid, but it's my prayer that I am helping women grow in their relationships with Jesus and that's worth so much more than a paycheck!  I am now teaching 11 Kindergarten & 1st grade students in our homeschool co-op! This is a brand new concept for me, but I'm having so much fun with these sweet kiddos! I have been teaching a bible study with Beth Moore for about 3 months now and the blessings of this bible study has nourished my dry & weary soul in a splendid way!! Lastly, the Lord just recently opened up the opportunity for me to start a women's Sunday School class on Sunday mornings at our church! Whew.. 3 classes! I would've laughed if you told me this a year ago! It takes much time and preparation, but I am reveling in it! I am passionate about supporting women in their journey of truth about Jesus! What a blessing and an honor as He has bestowed these classes upon me!

It's interesting that when we give up the things we love... when the Lord calls us to do so... then He brings us bigger blessings more than we could expect! I look back now and all I can think is, "Okay Lord! I get it now! There's no way I could run my business, homeschool 2 kids + a toddler, be a pastor's wife, and teach 3 classes!" The latter 3 keep me busy enough!! God is good and His faithfulness endures forever!!

Isaiah 52:1-3 

"Awake, awake, O Zion, 

clothe yourself with strength. 

Put on your garments of splendor...

Shake off your dust; 

rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem, 

Free yourself from the chains on your 

neck, 

O Captive Daughter of Zion. 

For this is what the Lord says: 

'You were sold for you nothing, 

and without money you will be 

redeemed.'" 

Hallelujah and AMEN!

Busy

I have spent a good portion of my life being busy and staying busy. We have seemingly learned as a society that we are bad if we stay still. If we allow ourselves to just sit and be still in the moment, then perhaps we are lazy. If we don't do the dishes right after dinner, then perhaps we are dirty. If we don't take our children to every event available, then perhaps we are bad parents. You get the idea!

It's been in recent years that I've been in the process of truly learning to just be in the moment. I used to "do it all" and say to myself, "It's just time. I can do this!" However, I am thankful to no longer be rushing around with an endless to do list. My children enjoy the fact that I am no longer telling them "hold on" or "in just a minute" every time they want/need my attention. We homeschool, so they want/need my attention often. 

Let me share with you some ways that I have learned over the years to stop being so busy.

1) Stop buying the lies of satan who claims you're not good enough. These are lies straight from the pit of darkness. Satan wants you to feel inadequate as a spouse, parent, worker, child, sibling, etc. Stop buying the lies, Friends! Satan cannot define you.. only God does!

2) What's for dinner? We cannot do everything. We cannot make gourmet meals and be at soccer practice by 5. It just isn't possible. Maybe you need to do sandwiches for dinner one night. Eat on paper plates. Reheat left overs. Have what my family calls an "easy" night. Which means, if you want it, then you get it! If you want left overs, then reheat. If you want a pb&j then start spreading. If you want a can of soup, then grab the can opener. This is coming from me who loves to cook. However, some nights I want/need a break and our pockets can't always handle a night out.

3) Do you have too many extras? Your kids are in sports. You're in bible study. You work. You homeschool. You volunteer. You plan family gatherings. You run a business. You clean your home. You make meals. You read. You study. You watch tv. You have long commutes. You have date nights. The list is endless. The list of to-do's can be overwhelming sometimes. 

Maybe you need to pick just a few things that have to be done for now and just do those. When I was running a successful direct sales business, homeschooling, my kids were involved in sports, and we were at church and choir on Sundays & Wednesdays then my days were jam packed. I was exhausted! However, during that season of life that required so much busy-ness from me. Then I chose no extra curriculars. I had several study groups that I turned down. I turned down MOPs. I turned down social gatherings. I did enough house work to get by and enlisted help from The Hubs & kiddos with the rest. We have to pick & choose and we have to choose wisely, because we cannot burn ourselves into the ground. Running endlesslessly isn't taing care of the temple the Lord has given us. (Psalm 127:2)

4) Schedule time for you! Seek the Lord. Pray. Read. Watch tv. Drink a cup of coffee or tea. Rejuvenate. Refresh. Recharge! You HAVE to do this for yourself. Whether you're a stay at home Mom or a working corporate person. You have to take care of yourself if you want to take care of others or do your job well. 

I have learned to slow down and take in the beauty of the Lord's creation around me. Something I am learning to do and not feel guilty about is read while my Littles play. We have a screened in porch and I like to sit and read in there while my children are outside. I can be apart of their playing experience without having to be completely present. I like to listen to the birds, watch the squirrels play, and enjoy the laughter of our beautiful children. I feel blessed there. I feel replenished and always walk away with joy renewed in my heart. 

Exodus 33:14 "The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 

How do you find rest in the midst of all the busy?