Taking this next step

years ago, when i saw the trajectory of my adult life starting to take shape and direction, i realized that one of my dreams was not likely to come to fruition.  i had not taken what might be considered a typical route post university (i.e. work, save money, marry someone who had also been working and saving money since he graduated, buy a house...).  God had different plans in mind for my life and that included moving half way across the world, volunteering for the better part of three years (saving NO money) and then marrying a wonderful man from the country i had come to love.  

and so here i am, 9 years later. working full time, two kids, married to that dear dear man. and, until recently, no clear way out of the inevitable 9-5 working mom shuffle/juggle thing.
however, two years ago my sister introduced me to an opportunity that was starting to drastically impact her life.  a business, all her own, with a company called arbonne.  initially i thought what most people likely think; thats cute, and thats all well and good for you, but there is no way i would ever ________ (insert 'sell to my friends', 'sell lipstick', 'start my own business', or 'be able to succeed'...).  but i watched and waited and realized that i was making my decision NOT to start my own business based solely out of fear and uncertainty. and i hated knowing that my primary motivator was fear.  as a believer in an all powerful and all knowing God, how could i justify letting fear rule over me?  and why was i so convinced that although many others had succeeded with their arbonne businesses, there was no way i could?

after some patient but persistent encouragement from my sister, i decided to take a huge step and launch my own arbonne business. thankfully the start up cost was incredibly reasonable and i was able to join my sister in her great adventure.  i have worked and learned and made mistakes (and continue to make mistakes) over the last two years. but what started as a little dream to start a little business and make a little extra money has now finally been an instrumental piece in me being able to walk away from my 9-5 job and be home with my daughters.  

and i guess i am writing this because i have received such a wide range of reactions since launching two years ago.  so many of you have been incredibly supportive, and i want to thank you.  some of you have been very skeptical, and i want to encourage you.  and some of you have seemed to be as turned off to the idea as i initially was, and i want to tell you that i understand.

but this 'little' business is changing my life and the lives of my family.  and im just bursting with desire to share it with those of you who have a dream that you think could never be a part of your journey. maybe its staying home with children.  maybe its paying off debt. maybe its saving money for the future, or caring for a sick family member, or just not being a slave to the clock at your job. or one of a million other possible needs.  

ill finish with a thought from a book i have been reading recently.  the book talks about how we work hard to steward our time and talent and money but fail to think about being good stewards of imagination and opportunity.  i want to be a good steward of the dreams God has given me.  i want to steward this incredible opportunity in a God-honoring way.  

i am so thankful that He gave me the courage to do something that i never thought I could. 

i am taking this next step and joining the ranks of stay at home moms.  

and I am holding fast to Him.


Comments

  1. Laura, I'm so happy for you! I remember talking with you a long time ago, when you mentioned your business and desire to be home with Eden. I couldn't be happier for you! Congrats!

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