I Quit.

financial-checklist-before-quitting-your-job
Feb 6. 2016
I Quit my Job.

Okay not quit today but I told my dad today that I want to stop working in his store and it’s with a heavy heart but I needed to opt-out because I felt stuck.

It first started off as simply helping the family but for the past few weeks I was in a cycle of saying that I’m going to get work done (for my fashion career) and never getting anything done as I’d hoped and feeling discouraged and disappointed. I love my family and I love helping them but being here isn’t where I can fully help them and help myself and I realized after I said that I would quit that it was the right decision. I no longer feel like I’m in limbo but on a deadline to find a job now that I am no longer financially supported by my family. Honestly I’ve lived such a privileged life; life has been handed to me, my car, my tuition and it’s at a point where I know I can’t grow to be a fully responsible adult if I don’t take matter into my own hands. I need to struggle for my own life and stop being so afraid to face adult life/job life.

My Pastor once spoke about finding out God’s will and how we’ll feel right while doing work for his glory and something about where I was didn’t feel right. When I think about my journey in fashion, something about it, although I know I’m going to struggle through bumps and face sooo many challenges, feels right. I think it’s where God’s going to reveal himself to and where I can grow with full potential and I’m so excited to start it.

One thing that threw me off was the fact that my mom didn’t have faith in me after I told her I quit. I don’t want to face my career trying to prove a point to my mom but I can’t help but feel sad that she sees her regrets and mistakes as a parent when she sees me. But here’s to so many changes in life but facing them all with God.

God, first thankyou for this day where I was able to break the pressure of being a daughter to my parents and allowing me to be selfish for my career in the most loving way. You have provided me with so much already and I can feel that you’re ready to provide me with so much more as I face this career that you’ve lead me to. Thank you for having faith in me and thank you for my family group that also has so much faith in me. I pray that you’d provide hope for my mom and reveal to her a new light and truth on life. I have faith in you and your timing God that she will one day see the joy in hoping and striving for more in life through the struggles that we face. Protect me and help me to use this lent season for your glory and to be pushed beyond my limits. God I’m just so overwhelmed by your grace and love and all that you’ve done for me to be here at this point at peace. I love you God and I pray that you’d bless this season to be full of wisdom and patience but also proactiveness in your kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.  

 

 

John 19 / Life

I always get heavy hearted and teary while reading about Jesus’s Crucifixion. Sad fact though, I did not know they had three versions of Jesus’s death on Luke, John, and Matthew. Comes to show how little I know about the bible and how much I have yet to learn.

So I finished reading my book on style and I feel no different really. Maybe a little more energized to pursue things in life but with what purpose? I end up spiraling in questions (which is a good thing at times) about my intentions for investing my time into things like uploading a post or starting a project.

Recently I’ve been thinking about creating a blog, more than just think.grapefruit where I journal where I can share the things I do the work I enjoy doing but downside, it’ll eat up my time for doing the ‘important stuff’ like doing my QT or finding a job in fashion.

There is no right way,” I told myself; for almost everything like reaching success and entering a career in the industry. But I’m sure with God, there is a righteous way where it would honor him rather than following my own signals to pursue a career thats only temporary.

My dad’s uncle on my grandmother’s side recently passed away. There he was laying in his coffin neatly placed, resting before me an empty vessel, leaving the world behind. So when I think of doing things, I always think… will this thing I do be seen in God’s eyes?

In the end and the answer I’m trying to avoid is, am I doing this for me or for other people or for God? And it’s a tricky answer because how is writing a blog (not on daily devotionals) for God? and it leads to questions like “Does everything in my life have to be devoted to God?”

I’m working now, at my dad’s newly opened store basically assistant manager taking care of the store, cashiering, moving clothes around, and a bunch of other small tasks, reporting big new back to my dad when he comes back from other errands. Now I have a paycheck coming in which I really didn’t think about because after paying for my tuition, it’s okay dad, you REALLY don’t have to but he does to show that work pays off. So now I have a weekly salary and I’ve been using it up like daddy’s little gold digger. Surprisingly today I was driving home and thought, does this mean I have to start putting money in the offering box on Sundays? But I’m still poor recent graduate without a steady income not really at my real job. Then the thought of Jesus’s Crucifixion came up, how he didn’t sacrifice an arm or leg for us but his whole self; how the poor (samaritans?) gave up everything yet the tax collector who had so much to spare gave up so sparingly. There my answer was pretty clear.

And going back to devoting everything in my life to God, I don’t think its an extreme case of making sure the water was approved before drinking it by God but knowing the foundations for the reasons I do things.

God didn’t create a blob like the million other blobs that live around me; he created a unique individual soul with gifts and talents that would glorify God and he loved it through all the mistakes he knew he or she was going to make. I am different than my brothers and sisters and I love dancing, illustrating, singing (not so well I’m told), designing, thinking, believing, trying new things and I think it’s something to celebrate because God put all those things in me to make up who I am. I’m still not sure how people can so confidently post on fb about God’s love for them on a picture that doesn’t reference the writing that goes with it and get a jillion likes but I I’m starting to think it all comes from the heart of loving who you are, that is, God’s most precious, loved child.

And yes, there are still times that God’s love amazes me to the point of doubting this perfect love all together, but in the end I’d rather look like a fool that found freedom from fear and worries than following what the world says is ‘cool’.

God, there’s never a day like today, right now, to worship you and to love you. No matter what situation and circumstance, whether I’m doing nothing or if I’m traveling to Italy on vacation, let me always think of you and all that you’ve done for me. My life is literally not my own, I don’t call the shots because I’m better off not calling the shots. God help me to be courageous in the things I do, the words I say, let me be wise but still true to myself in the way I speak and move so that I may not lose myself. God, this blog thing is all really tricky in my head but Lord I love all parts of me that want to express in a shape, form, moment, 2D, 3D and I want to be doing that in a way that still honors you. Help me to always give thanks for the mercy, grace and blessings you provide each day. Make me into a more thankful person and be able to smile at the gifts you’ve provided. And so, Lord I thank you for my family that supports me and for providing me with them and providing them with finances and joy. I thank you for this precious time where I’m able to elaborate my thoughts deeper with you and where I’m able to reconnect with my one Savior, my one place of freedom. Help me to refine myself and I pray for more of your heart in me. Thank you for the cross God, thank you for your word and always remind me of the love you give so freely. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Current Life Update

So it’s been 4 months since I’ve graduated and I’m still at home not working but serving the college ministry and tending to my family’s need. No matter how embarrassing it may sound to some people, I’m updating so I can do something about it and really try and motivate myself to move and get things going. I’ve think I’ve over welcomed my leisurely stay at home and spend way to long munching on food while watching tv shows and making excuses to spend time with my siblings.

So this month is dedicated to me working on the things I have to get done to get things going. I’ve been saying I’ll start up August, then September and September literally just flew by and I really want to find a job before the year is up so that I may be able to encounter new things God has in store for me in the industry.

Father God, my heart is so big for you kingdom and just serving in the ministry and being inactive in this gift that you gave me to create, Lord let me not be afraid and walk as a warrior to face the contradictions in the culture of this industry and do works to be able to give back to the church and your people. Father I pray for a heart in me that is motivated and I need you back to be my coach pushing me through not only my spiritual life but blessings that you’ve given me on earth. Fill me with your spirit of Power and Self-Control and all things love to always fuel me. I love you God, we can do this! In Jesus name, Amen.


For those reading, please pray for my motivation as well! Thank you!