A couple of weeks ago I kicked my Mary Kay business back into gear, full gear! And though it's been a lot of work getting going and getting organized, I've really enjoyed the challenge. I started crying the other day for no reason, ever done that, and Joe was like what's wrong, I said, I'm just happy. I think I didn't realize a little part of me was missing, and now that it has been awakened, I'm very happy. I think as a stay at home mom, I've missed the feeling of accomplishment that comes along with a job and having tasks to complete. I knew that would be an issue with me when I decided to stay home and I know I accomplish quite a bit everyday - just look at all the diapers I've changed and noses I've wiped. But, it is a different sense of accomplishment, and I enjoy feeling it again. The Lord is blessing my efforts and I know I am in His will. I'm thankful Joe encouraged me to do this again and take a step of faith. I won a necklace for this month and the charm on it for February is Faith - I think that's a pretty good sign.
Okay - for those of you I haven't lost yet in this long blog, here's the good part for you. I just finished my Beth Moore study "Stepping Up" which was encouraging me to take my walk with the Lord to the next step. I learned quite a bit through the study, and couldn't begin to go into it all on here. However, our last assignment was to write a blessing to others in our small group. I did that, but I want to impart the same blessing to my blogging friends.
Friends, may the Lord grant you the opportunity to experience His peace that passes all understanding so that you may know that this kind of peace truly does exist and that you may never forget the time in your life when He granted it. May He bless you with the peace to face any hardship and to come out on the other side praising Him for it!
I've learned that even though we're Christians, things are going to happen, sometimes bad things. The way we prepare ourselves for those events will help us endure them and enable us to see God in them, and praise Him through them. You all know our story with Anna and this study gave me several opportunities to relive those days, and I praise God for what He taught me so that if I help one person go through a similar situation, I know it has served a purpose. God is good and He desires to bless us over and abundantly - you know what - He already has! And every time we Praise Him - He blesses us in return, He just can't help Himself. So take a little time to stop and Praise the Lord today!
10 comments:
What a great post Jen. I am so happy that you are getting to experience something that you enjoy doing aside from being a fantastic mommy. And thank you for sharing your blessing. I will always remember what you prayed for me and my family when we were dealing with issues with Parker. Although things have turned out much better than we anticipated, they have turned out exactly as God intended. And going through a tough time of sickness and expecting the worst has made us see God's magnificant hand in more things than before. He does bless us abundantly, and sometimes we have to experience some hard or difficult times to remember that, and to remind us that in the good and the bad, we shall always PRAISE HIM!!! You are an amazing woman. Thanks.
thank you Jen for this post! it was such an encouragement to me. your testimony this past year and what you dealt with concerning Anna has been such a blessing to me. i have been able to see God working in you and you have been so faithful to share what He is doing in your life and how He is growing you! thank you for that! i'm also happy for you that you've started your business back up and you're already seeing the rewards of that decision on a personal level. i'm sure it just helps confirm for you that you are doing what you are supposed to be doing...that's the BEST feeling! :) see you this weekend! :)
I so enjoyed doing this last study together, Jen. I think back to week 2 (I think) when we both were quite moved by some of our homework, and our dialogue that ensued (via email) about what we were chewing on!! What a marvelous time studying His word together. I am still processing a post to make later about our final week... On another note, I am SO glad that your business is doing well and you are making strides. It's nice to have those tangible accomplishments, isn't it? Looking forward to my facial! :)
What a great post & thank you for the blessing you shared. You are such a positive influence in my life and I doubt I convey that to you often enough. I will never ever forget the strength the Lord gave to you when I saw you in the hospital after Anna had her surgery. He gave you this amazing peaceful strength that proved to me that He will never give us anything we can't handle. Furthermore, I've seen your devotion grown stronger which proves that we should consider it "pure JOY" when faced with trials of many kinds!!!! Love you!
What an incredible reminder to me to stop and thank Him for all that I have and all that He continues to do. It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget the greater purpose of it all, especially when dealing with a car dealership. Thanks for sharing such an uplifting and encouraging post.
Congrats on your Mary Kay business. I completely understand missing a part of yourself. Next week I start tutoring on Saturdays at Sylvan for a few hours. I saw an ad and decided that I might really enjoy that time teaching (in a sense). We'll see how it goes. I may decide it's more than I am willing to do. Who knows!
I have to say I love this whole blogging experience.
Thanks for sharing our heart Jen. Thanks you for the constant encouragement that always seems to exude from your blog entries. It is evident that you are a woman seeking God's heart and want others to join you on that amazing journey.
I agree with you about being home-we are truly blessed for the opportunity to be home with our children, but I too yearn for the day when I can be something more, a glimmer of something that is just for Jayne!! I don't know if I'll return to teaching, we'll just have to wait and see what that next Jayne venture will be.
Jen, thanks for sharing such a wonderful post. It encouraged me and really lifted me up today. I can't tell you what a blessing it has been to get to know you, Kim, Heather, Jamie, Jessica, Elizabeth, and all of the other wonderful women you have introduced me to through our small group. I hope to someday be able to emulate your energy, love, and patience as a mom. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
i am so excited for you and this new journey you are taking with your business. i know that it's nice to have something of your own aside from being an amazing mommy. you will do an incredible job and the Lord will continue to bless you over and over again.
this post was so uplifting and encouraging. we have all been blessed in so many ways, yet we sometimes forget to take time and thank Him for it all. thank you so much for your friendship and for the wonderful example of what a godly woman truly is.
Jen, this was an amazing blog! And after I read everyone's comments--I should just write "dito!" :) You have the most amazing heart, Jen...it is so evident to us all, and you are the most priceless treasure!! And seeing you start your "New Venture" again--how exciting!!!Thank you for this encouraging blog!!! Love you bunches!
I'm so glad you found my blog!! Of course I remember our LU days together. Thanks for praying for McKenna when she was in the hospital. She is doing much better. She's still not completely well, but we're getting there. The poor girl has certainly had an exciting start to life!
I've been stalking your blog for a couple of days now, reading lots of your old posts from this fall. It's been so fun to see all the pictures of your girls and to hear what you've been up to. Your sweet little Anna will certainly have a great testimony to share when she's older. I'm glad to hear that she's doing well now!!
Keep checking my blog and know that I'll be checking yours. It's great to be in touch again.
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