It was one year ago this week that we opened our business. Which would be a pretty impressive milestone were it not for the fact that last week we officially closed!
We were at a cross roads and decided it would be better for our family in the long run to get out while we still had some money and sanity left. Because honestly, if we had continued much further we would have quickly run out of both!
Don't feel bad for us. We don't feel bad for us.
Although it wasn't a profitable experience as far as money is concerned, we gained a wealth of knowledge this past year--things we needed to learn and probably couldn't have learned any other way.
Now more than ever I believe that the purpose of this life is to refine us through our trials. That "refiners fire" that everyone is always talking about is so crucial to this mortal experience even though it can sometimes feel unbearably hot.
Here are just a few of the important lessons that the refiners fire of owning a small business has taught me:
* Just because the Lord wants you to do something doesn't mean he's going to make it easy for you. Nor does it mean that it's going to turn out like you expected.
* If you feel your prayers aren't being answered it may be necessary to change the question.
* "Venting" your negative emotions is better left to prayer. Give those thoughts, emotions and stresses to the Lord. He will give you more peace than a hundred tantrums ever could.
* There is strength to be had in recognizing your own weaknesses. You may need to just embrace who you are, give up on trying to be who you think you ought be and celebrate the you that is!
* Everyone makes mistakes, but don't make it worse by also making excuses. Own it and move on.
* The Lord doesn't care about money--And he may let you lose a lot of it to teach you what is really important!
* The statement "winners never quit and quitters never win" is a lie. Winners quit all the time. The trick is knowing WHEN to quit and being clear in your motivations when you do.
* Running a struggling business and being unemployed pay about the same! :)
We're still trying to figure out what is next for us. We're taking a little time to regroup right now. Fortunately we have options. I am extremely optimistic about what lies ahead. I'm open to just about anything. I'm not scared to take chances and I'm not afraid to think outside of my own box.
I guess I learned that in the fire too.
