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There used to be a saying.(now I am revealing more of my generation), "put out a new shingle." This saying
was referring to a new business in town or a change of name for an existing business.
Women are known for having various "shingles" hanging throughout their seasons of life.
My most important "shingle" is
Wife - delightfully serving in this capacity - 32 years
Mother - thrilled to have been a mother, who is still raising children at home - 29 years
Home Educator - still in service - 24 years
Then there are those other "shingles" we hang out...volunteer, community service, extended family, neighbors and friends.
At some point in most women's lives there is also employment beyond the walls of their home. My shingles in this area are
Mother's Keepsakes - an art consignment store I owned, managed and contributed to through the first years of my firstborn son
Classic Stitches - my from-home business consisting of sewing... developed into a full fledged decorating business - it survived through three pregnancies, four children and many years while home schooling
Employee - Insurance Data entry - I worked at home during the evenings and weekends...allowing me to continue home schooling and being taxi cab driver to music, sports and youth activities
Employee - worked at a Home Educator's Bookstore - consulting, selling and distributing home education supplies
Encouragement Pocket Pillows - my own online business for designer pillows I made with scriptures and words of encouragement on them
First Impressions Design - my own company that included interior selections for custom homes
Now to 2012 - at age 51, I really would like to put all my shingles into retirement and just continue the task of wife, mother and home school mom. However, once again I am looking into the closet for an additional "shingle" to hang. This summer, I started a VERY part-time/part-time job of keeping kids at our church...this only takes me from the home on evenings and Sundays. With the recent unemployment of hubby, I posted availability to clean houses...this would be two days a week while Benjamin attends outside classes. Each of these would meet some financial need, however, they will not energize me. I still want to be faithful.
"If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well."
Martin Luther King Jr.
"Most people don't enjoy their work. It's been said that 80% would change jobs right away if they felt they could move into work they have a passion for. - Instead, they just keep plodding along, doing what they don't like every day - year-in and year-out. - Dennis Waitley: "Chase your passion, not your pension." - When you're passionate about your job, you'll be amazed at your productivity, as well as your motivation."
The Ultimate Self-Help Book - 31 Days in Proverbs - Al Fike
So I went before the Lord and put out my fleece. He knows the situation. He knows my heart's cry is to be with Benjamin...hey, He gave me Benjamin at age 45!!! He knows what my passions and gifts are...He formed them in me.
Last week, I interviewed for house cleaning and I also had the delight of an interior decorating consultation with a client. Out of my consulting with this client, I decided to hang out my "shingle" again in this area.
Simply Your Decor
I will be opening a instructional blog that will go with my business...this will remain the blog in which I share my heart and walk with the Lord. (www.simplyyourdecor.blogspot.com) will feature past interior decorating adventures and hopeful new transformations. All I can do is put out my fleece, as I have learned before in each of my endeavors, the true owner of my business will guide and provide me with clients in His time.
My prayer taken from The Ultimate Self- Help Book
Lord, I commit my gifts, talents and the labor of my hands to You.
Through the opportunities You have given, may I honor You,
provide for my family and serve others today.
