God’s plan – FaithFueled™ Mom

FaithFueled Friday

Psalm 31:6 (NIV) I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.

Idols

Chasing the impossible dream

Did you ever have to read the poem, A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes? I loved it; I used to think of it when things would go wrong in business. It now has new meaning. I used to be an Entrepreneur I was so obsessed with the “Success” of my business; fulfilling my dream. At the time, I had two little girls 10 and 6 and one on the way. I don’t know if it was the pregnancy hormones, but I was on a mission to put my business on a stable platform before I had my baby. My need to succeed placed on any other priority. I relentlessly pursued every opportunity right or wrong. Looking back I have realized; my business never would be successful because God was not in the equation. I did not commission Him to help me reach my goals. I took it on my shoulders to carry that burden and became weak. Spending wasted ours chasing money and success.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NIV) I have seen all thins that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Idol

Flaws in the dream process

Now, the poem has new meaning. What happens to a dream deferred? It remains, it’s not going anywhere sometimes it needs to rest and placed for a later time. Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? It all depends on where your heart is. My heart now belongs entirely to God any dream that doesn’t glorify him has shriveled and died. I have new ideas that I am finding out can incorporate some of the old thoughts but unless it’s foundation is placed in the Lord it’s on shaky grounds. Or fester like a sore and then run? It did rot, I thought about “What will people think?” “What about all that energy I put into it?,”What about others who can obtain their dreams?” at one point all sore points but I have now found contentment in God and those wounds have healed.

idol.

Gaining the focus I need

Does it stink like rotten meat? Not anymore that has been thrown away. There is a new dream, one that involves God who can make it better than anything I could have done on my own. Or crust and sugar over– like a syrupy sweet? The peace I have, the lack of angst, the new focus is so much more pleasing. I sit back and look at those who I used to run with towards the shiny gold medal. I see the error of our ways and rather than be sore or smell the agony of defeat, I feel contentment. That is so much sweeter than being in the rat race. Maybe it just sags like a heavy load? Not for me I have someone to help me carry that burden, someone to give my yoke to so that I can be free from burdens. Or does it explode? Only through his grace has my business taken on new heights. The delivery has changed, but it is far exceeding anything that I could have done on my own. All because I put my idol of “success” away and leaned and relied on God. Is there something that you are making a priority over God? Is there something that you’ve done a priority and want to give it over to him now? Either way, what were your results?

Philippians 3:12-14 (12) Not that i have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (13) Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But on thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, (14) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

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Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

Eighteen months ago a baby was born; Faith fueled Mom. God had put this on my heart a few months before my third daughter was born. We will be celebrating her first birthday on Friday, July 3rd. Being the Mompreneur for 10 years prior, when I received the idea for FFM I had instantly decided that it could be a new business venture. (Haha can you hear God laughing?) I quickly drew up the business plan, pieced together a logo, created a make shift website and BAM! I would add this to my plate too.

Then, I actually became a mother for the third time and unexpectedly my life changed. Unlike, with my other daughters this time I resisted this life change. At the time, I was building my “empire”. Working towards following my dream to own a multi-million dollar business. I was going to strap this baby girl on and keep moving forward, fast and furious. I had planned to be a mom, a wife, pursue my dreams, and work on FaithFueled Mom on the side. If anyone could do it it would be me because “I am Superwoman!” God had other plans.

For months, I continued to busy myself getting busy. Just a hamster in a wheel consulting with God in times of great despair and/or during hardships, setbacks but never to lead my footsteps. Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

One day, I began to pray for my business, in addition to my normal prayer but this time for God’s guidance and provisions. Well you know that saying, “be careful what you pray for?” God answered mine and I didn’t like the response.

Road blocks went up in my business. I am not one who gives up so I prayed harder. I was called again but I still wasn’t ready to give up my plans. I acted as if i didn’t hear what direction I was told to take. More things started to go wrong with my business.

I began to pray more and specifically for God’s guidance. Again, very clearly stated I was called. God told me (not asked) to put my business on hold and to “be still!” Then there were confirmations that from unlikely sources. Again, I played deaf; kind of like a child with selective hearing.

Now there is nothing wrong with being a mom. It is so much harder than being a kind-of-present work at home mom; but I thought I had mastered that role. It was time for me to pursue other dreams. Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

I continued to do just that as if I didn’t hear God’s calling. He began to strip more away till the writing was on the wall. Evidently clear with bright neon glitter paint (because as I have said before that is the only way to get my attention). Reluctantly, I put everything on hold and I began to “be still”.
Psalm 46:10 Be still for I am God.

I dove head first into study of the word. I felt if I couldn’t devote to my business I would devote to God. (Maybe that would make Him happy and give me my business back; Again, do you hear him laughing?) Every study I did was a little piece of the puzzle. Yet, I didn’t have a box to see what the picture was I was putting together. In the back of my mind I knew I was still playing hard to get.

My studies led me to Divine Interruption, Being a Disciple, I attended Beth Moore’s Living Proof Conference. Everything that I did my heart screamed “put your business on hold be present for your girls.” Then, I signed up for a Online Bible Study and it led me to finally surrender.

During Online Bible Study and week after week; were more confirmations. More pieces to my map to follow. God’s guidance was clearly stated. Then, I read “We must choose to leave first. We must see by faith the rewards ahead and then move forward.”

This time when neon glitter paint was presented I had no choice but to be obedient and submit.
I first spoke with my husband literally in overwhelming tears, who confirmed my step. I prayed about it and confirmed my steps. I spoke to my sisters in Christ they confirmed my steps and so I began. I am pretty headstrong when it comes to something I want or in this case don’t want.

Beginning the journey of following was the easiest thing I ever done. A path had already been forged ahead for me. The entire time that I was ignoring God, things were happening with FFM without me. I was receiving hits on the website I had hastily built when I first got the idea. Organizations were reaching out to me to offer the members of my groups benefits, tickets, etc. Now, here I am daily trying to create a stable Christian environment for my daughters to thrive. While creating a community of caregivers who are fueled with faith and want to raise their children in faith, grace and love.

We have successfully completed our first Walk & Study; a six week fitness and bible study for moms. We have hosted a couple Mom’s night outs. For the first time I feel more than just satisfied and content I feel fulfilled or shall I say faith fueled. More than I ever was with my business I couldn’t put on hold.

As for my business, I continually get sales through my affiliates that allow me to follow this Godspiration. I now willingly am guided by God daily and devote to Him. I have a strong relationship with the Lord, my family and my husband which is better than I ever dreamed.

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Have you heard your calling? Did you run and hide or did you fully submit? How far did that take you?

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