Hope & Encouragement

    

   The Women’s Fair 2019 shopping event was wonderful last weekend and it was a great place to make new friends and get connected with those I’ve hadn’t seen in a while.

When I set up at sales events, I go in with the attitude that I am not just there to sell a few things. I don’t expect instant rewards but look at the long-term results that can come from an event. Sure, I know the business side of it, I know the costs involved, and I know how much I need to clear. But that isn’t my focus.

My focus is on the people who are drawn to the booth. What drew them there, what caught their attention? Why did they feel the need to stop?

I enjoy talking to people and finding out their stories. It gives me a chance to minister to them. I heard some amazing stories and the ‘why’ behind some of the jewelry pieces, books, and gifts that the shoppers were purchasing.

Most people who know me know that butterflies are my icon, so it is of no surprise that I opened at the Women’s Fair with some butterfly jewelry and gifts. I observed one lady walk up to the display with butterflies and simply stop in her tracks as she just stared. I asked her what had caught her attention and when she turned to me, her eyes were filled with tears. She told me her story of an encounter with a butterfly in the middle of winter while visiting her mother’s grave. It was a God thing and it was quite moving, and I told her I would pray for her.  

Another lady saw my books and she stopped. She asked me about all the tragedies in my life that are accounted for in my books. I shared with her in a quick litany of matter-of-facts (I get that way sometimes, because I feel like broken record when it comes to my testimony) not really knowing where this conversation was going to go. I looked at her and stated that just because my books are filled with tragedies that happened in my life, my life ended up not being a tragedy. I was an overcomer, a survivor.

She looked at me with excitement in her eyes and stated, “I had no idea that God was going to lead

me to you today!”, “I’ll take two books please, and will you sign them?” Then she quickly waved a young lady of about 19 or 20 years old over to the booth and introduced her to me. This young lady had apparently lived through some horrific tragedies in her life and they were both grateful to have a connection with me and plan to get in touch so that I can help this girl along with her journey.  

One of my shoppers was someone from my church that I have been friends with for years. It was a great surprise to see her and to get to visit. She bought a couple of things after pondering over what scripture necklace would be the best fit for her.

I later learned that after she had arrived home, she didn’t feel that the scripture necklace was to be for her. So, she prayed, and God gave her a name that it was to go to. She wasn’t for sure who that was just yet but wanted to be obedient and placed the necklace in a pretty pull string net pouch and put it in her coat pocket so that she would have it readily available to gift to a person with the name God had given her.

She came across a person with that name, but instantly knew that was not the right person to gift it to, so she kept the necklace in her pocket. A day later, she came across a lady who shared with her that her husband, who had been recently diagnosed with a rare disease, was not expected to live but maybe two years at most. My friend decided that the necklace was to go to her. It went to the right person, and she happened to have the same name that God had given to my friend!

My friend later ran into this lady’s husband at the store! The chances of that…a God thing. He was so thankful for my friend for blessing his wife that necklace. His worries and concerns are for his wife after he leaves this world and thought the necklace was perfect for her.

I thanked my friend for sharing this story with me as it so blessed my heart to hear it!

The necklace was a cross locket. The message inside is from Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God”

I did well at the fair as far as sales, but I feel like I did really well in the people building side of things. I feel blessed and excited to see where God is taking this very small ministry/business. No, I don’t just sell jewelry and gifts, I offer the gift of hope and encouragement. 

Don't Throw in the Towel...find your Passion!

Make it count!   

  I have now found myself “in that age” group that I have been observing for many years.  I have been watching and taking notes on how different people have chosen to retire and spend the rest of their days. Through my observations I have grouped able bodied retirees into three categories.

1.       Serve. These are the folks who most likely will keep on working until they are called home. They may take their social security checks, work a fun part time job, and make sure that first and for most, they have the time to serve others in some type of capacity. They are awarded community awards for their volunteerism, recognized at their church for serving, are on the go constantly, overlook any aches, pains and inconveniences for the sake of serving others.

2.       Self. These are the folks who have worked all their lives, made great strides in their retirement funds, and have everything all planned out. They know at what age they can stop working forever, they know what resort they are going to move to, what cabin they will spend their time at so they can fish all day long, how big that RV needs to be so they can travel all the states, take cruises, and travel overseas. They will watch the sun come up and go down at some of the most exotic places in the world, post social media pictures of artistically designed meals they are about to dine on. They’ve said “bye-bye” and leave behind their past life of that day in and day out grind and build new lives on their terms.

3.       Sit. This category of retirees say good-bye to their careers, have some money in the bank, or not. Collect their social security. They don’t really keep up with all their friends like they used to or reach out to others as much. They become homebodies and become very uncomfortable when they must be away from home for any length of time.  They may take up some hobbies or crossword puzzles, get a cat or a dog, or several. The TV becomes their friend and entertainment, their easy chair becomes very easy to live and sleep in. And that’s pretty much the sum of their lives.

None of these ways are wrong, everyone has the right to choose how they do this. My opinion would be to put some balance in place and implement all three of these categories in the retirement years.

I would like to encourage folks, however, not to throw in the towel! A person can enjoy their later years and at the same time gain themselves a great since of accomplishment and fulfillment by making a great impact on other people’s lives.  Those who participate in paying it forward in service to others are healthier in mind, body and spirit. They keep their skills sharpened. Generally, they are not bitter and cranky, they are grateful and thankful in their twilight years!  They use their wisdom and life experiences to teach, train, and help the younger generations coming up.

Many don’t serve because they don’t know what they want to do. They don’t know where to start, and the fear factor sets in. I might suggest that you start by making a list of your passions. What trips your trigger, what excites you? After building the list, look for opportunities in your church or community that fit you. Maybe you like to paint landscapes. Look for opportunities to teach a class at a retirement community or civic center. Is it fun for you to organize stuff in your home and you have mastered it? Help others get organized! Many people need help in this area so they can start downsizing their homes.

It’s a great feeling, to be useful, especially when others have put you “out to pasture” per say. I have found my passion and how to use it to serve others. I feel blessed and thankful.

I would like to encourage everyone to make this year different and make it count by filling up other folk’s buckets by investing in some lives.  

Many Blessings!

Debra