A Call To Say No

At the start of the year 2013, I sat down to write a list of life goals. At the top was a dream that had been burning in my mind and my heart (so I thought)- to open a print shop. I saw it begin to miraculously accomplish when I was given all machines needed by my uncle at no charge until I was able to get it up and running. They sat in storage during the long and hard winter while I sought for a place to use them.
This year proved to be especially busy and time seemed to rush me into finding a way to start my own screen printing business.
There was a feeling in me that knew God was wanting me to take my time.
A few weeks ago, the Randalls, missionaries to Taiwan, came and delivered a powerful and moving presentation. When I left the altar that night, my destiny had changed.
Here's a glimpse into my journal entry that night:
"Tonight I learned a valuable lesson; goals and dreams are good to have but they are not worth our calling. Sometimes, God allows us to pursue a goal but may keep us from accomplishing it for a reason unknown to us. Such as when David dreamed of building a temple for God but that task was passed to his son.
I know now that my goal is not my calling... to fulfill my calling is my goal.
We had an amazing time in service with Cody & Hannah Randall on August 6th. Cody was so passionate about their work and spoke with such conviction on "the Sleeping Church."
At the closing of the service, the Lord spoke through several messages, most of which contained the words "strength" and "surrender". That's what had my attention. I've been SO stressed and worried over so many things this summer that God's reminder of His strength nearly broke me. I didn't realize I had anything left to surrender until I arrived at the altar. God impressed on my heart to sell the print shop and use the money to work for Him, whether by the distribution of my writings to Latin American countries or by just being a help to others. It would give me the opportunity to do more missions work, take GEM'S to a higher level, or further support the local church.
I'm trusting God to work out the rest.
When I said "Yes!" to God and "No" to fulfilling a goal on my life goal list, there was a great burden lifted!"

On that very day, He had already provided. My dad's cousin had just arrived from Texas to see my grandparents. It was the same cousin who had called my uncle a few months back to buy the machines. I had refused to sell at that time but now... Well, you know the answer. They were in search of exactly what I have and are interested in purchasing. All I'm waiting for now is to know that they accept my price but I have peace knowing that I have fully accepted the call.


Saying "No" to a dream has never felt so good!