I want to share the scripture that I read this morning in my Quiet Time. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!" Ephesians 3:20-21. Read that again and just ponder it in your hearts for a bit. What touched me this morning was the phrase "...Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power...Notice it it God's power, not Susan's power or will or desire, but His. I have put God in a box so much that I don't expect to see great things on a daily basis!! Every once in a while, sure! But I hate to bother Him with my little things when He is such a Big God and has really important stuff to attend to. Do any of you ever feel that way? Just look at the newspaper..the Middle East, poverty, homelessness, and the list goes on. But, I want to talk with Him regarding these words from Ephesians! Will He have the time? Of course He will...He's my Abba.
For quite some time, I've wanted to have my own little business here at home. Nothing huge! I don't want to have to book a party and invite tons of my friends and have them feel like they have to purchase something for me to make a percentage. Don't get me wrong, invite me to a Southern Living at Home par--tay, and I'll be there with bells on! And cash in a little envelope! ( the Dave Ramsey plan, thank you very much!) I simply have too many commitments with the boys after school and at nights. Night time is family time--not Mama going to work time.
I have always loved to take pictures. Got my first 35 mm camera at the ripe age of 18--first job too! Had to convince Daddy (who had the credit card) that I could take better pics with a camera like this rather than the old kind that used the drop in Kodak film--I'm dating myself!!! When I produced the first pictures with this camera, he was amazed! So was I! My favorite subjects to shoot--besides my family and friends--are His creation. He just amazes me! The dazzling light on the bright yellow leaves leave me breathless! If I can capture the moment, I can enjoy it over and over again. The same with a painting. If I can capture the right curves and angles, mix the colors just right, then I just do a happy dance! I love to create things! I'm excited about what I can do, but I also know what I need to learn!
I really want to begin a business...one that brings glory to Him. I have one piece of artwork that I'm almost through with. I have several photos that are framed. I have an idea for a logo and a scripture to go along with it. I have no money, but I have the promise from a Big God that He can do immeasurably more than I can ever imagine! Trust...trust...trust.
Many Blessings,
24 comments:
Susan, thank you for sharing your heart with us. I know, for me, it was so hard to say "I want to be a writer" out loud. Because if you fail, everyone knows it.
God knows the desires of your heart, and if you delight in him, he longs to grant them to you.
I pray your new dreams come true...immeasurable more than you can ask or imagine. To God be the glory!
A sign above my bed, friend says:
God dreams bigger dreams than we dream for ourselves.
DREAM BIG SUSAN, B-I-G!!!
He wants to totally bless your socks off!!! He loves YOU!
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Susan, you have a beautiful blog. Thank you for a dose of the Word this Tuesday morning.
I'm so glad I found you and I plan to visit often.
May the peace of the Lord be with you.
You dream big girlfriend and then stand back to be more than amazed by a God who can deliver so much more...and hugs to you for taking Him out of the box!
Looking forward to see where God leads you. =) Praying for a special, intimate journey that blows your mind!
~Shane
Hello!
I found your blog on "Empty Nest Full of Life". Nice to meet you! I see that you live in SC. My husband is a graduate of The Citadel in Charleston and his mom and brother live just outside of Columbia.
I see, also, that you are quite the runner. I've won several 5K's for my age division, but I've never run long distances. My hubby is trying to talk me into running a half-marathon, but I don't know! I'll have to give it some thought!
Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!
Thank you for sharing scripture with us. I love that particular one.
It sounds like you have some exciting plans. I'd love to see your work.
Oh, Susan. You warmed my heart and encouraged my heavy heart. It's almost 9:30. I've worked 9 1/2 hours and I can't believe I've now been sitting at this home computer for four hours! I finished my online study, then typed it and posted it. Of course, I've been so busy I've not visited my blog friends and just had to do that. I was almost finished and I saw you had a post. In my anal ways, I thought only a few more...just see what Susan has to say tonight. Oh my. Susan, oh how I do know the depth of what that verse means. It was my wedding verse because it was what my beloved and me felt God had done and performed in joining us. We felt He went above and beyond what we could ever imagine in pairing these two imperfect people into a perfectly matched couple. It was. It is. I've shared my story with you to some degree...I can't remember how many details. So, you know why this has touched my heart. I have to believe just as He went above my wildest dreams in joining us, He will also go above my wildest dreams in the way He will reunite us. Amen?! By the way, if I never shared in full "my story", I just recently updated it and would be glad to email it to you. IF you want. I don't think I had sent it to you previously but rather we only exchanged info via email bits and pieces here. Either way you know the basics.
Thank you, Sweet Jesus, for once again bring mine and beloved's verse to my mind and heart.
Love ya,
Paula
Sorry that comment was all about me. You are so right to dream big and believe God able to perform above anything you could dream in your own business. Let Him continue to lead. You never know when or how or where He'll lead you but it has to be great because it's His leading, Amen?
Hey honey friend!
I'm excited for the dreams the Lord is blossoming in your heart!
Check out this website: http://www.kymgarraway.com/index.htm
This lady is just a regular wife and mom with an extraordinary God...she's a friend of my cousin, Susan Maxwell. I have several of her prints hanging in my home.
Thought her story would inspire you.
I'm all about photographer, especially nature scenes that breathe a story all their own. L.L. Barkat's written an excellent post today about this very topic.
Dream big, friend. Do it. If it's in your heart and God has gifted you accordingly, why not dare to step out and see where it leads?
I've often thought it would be great to write a devo book with corresponding photographs. Would love to see some of your work sometime.
By the way, was thinking of you while out running the other day. I got the best pair of running shoes for Christmas; so much so, that I went out and bought another pair exactly like them to put away for a rainy day. I knew I loved them the moment I ran that first mile! Made me so happy, as my feet so often feel the effects of my running.
Happy feet. That's me.
peace~elaine
Susan thanks for sharing your dream.
God's Word says that when we delight in Him, He gives us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). That doesn't mean that He gives us what we desire, but when we're following hard after Him, He places His desires for us in our hearts. His desires become our desires.
"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." Psalm 20:4
Keep us posted.
Love & prayers,
Joy
Thanks for visiting my blog!
I find time to paint when all the rest of the world is sleeping. Moms with 6 kids are given an alternate energy source by GOD.. and no, it's not Diet Coke. We survive (just barely)on a few hours of sleep and the hope that for those few hours our house will be quiet and clean and maybe.. on a good night we can hear ourselves think.
I'll post before pics when I'm close to starting. My goal is before May. In AZ we're over 100 degrees by the end of May. Not much incentive to paint after that!
Susan,
Happy 2009! Thanks for sharing the scripture. I agree...just meditate on the words...wow! What power we have in Christ.
I'll be praying for you as you look for a new outlet for your creativity and energy.
So glad you stopped by today! My hubby graduated in '85. Anyone you know from that class? He was in Mike Company.
Go for it! I know many who have done this very thing. As a matter of fact the photographer for my daughters wedding had his own home business while in school. We found his work very personal,and you are so right about God, we so often put Him in our box of what we think he can do, which is so much more than we can even begin to think. Jackie
Thank you for the scripture this rainy morning. Lord knows I needed it!!
God bless you with your business venture.
I love hearing my friends' dreams!
Thank you for sharing this one...And what fun it will be to pray for you and see what our big God has in mind for you!
Blessings! and hugs!
Teresa
Susan,
I'm not sure of the best way to photograph framed pictures. I would think taking a picture on an angle that cuts down glare could be helpful.
I look forward to seeing it some time.
Blessings,
Carol
Can I see a sneak peak??
Maybe I will plant a money tree and share some of it with my friend :)
Dream big, S, dream big.
Another question...
do you do black/white photographs?
~elaine
Oh Susan, I am so excited for you. I feel the exact same way and am praying about and working on my own new business idea.
I know God will give you the desires of your heart when they are focused on HIM.
Blessings and Prayers to you,
Cindy
You've been "tagged". Check my blog. Jackie
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