October 1, 2009

God–Given Dreams

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure"(Proverbs 16:9, AMP)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen

"Oftentimes as children, we have dreams of the future. Dreams of being ball players and actresses, super heroes, and firemen. But most of the time, they end up just being wishful thinking. As we get older, we grow out of them. It's good to play and have dreams as children, but when we grow up, we have to know the difference between a God-given dream and a wish. I remember when I was a little boy, I dreamed of playing basketball for the Houston Rockets. That was definitely a fantasy!

But we all have dreams placed inside of us by the Creator of the Universe. In fact, the Latin word for "desire" means "from the Father." You can tell if a dream is really from God if that desire won't go away. You may have had it for years, and you still can't let it go. In fact, you may have tried to let it go, but it won't let go of you.


I encourage you to search your heart today and allow those God–given dreams to surface. He placed those desires inside of you for a purpose, and He's going to use them to direct you into the destiny He has in store for you! "
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Recently, I've found myself thinking of my dreams quite frequently! Over 4 years ago, my mother started making beaded necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. She kept on telling me "Storm, you would be really good at this. Why don't you do it too." I would quickly tell her "No, I don't think so." It was something I never put any thought into. Having real jewelers for parents, I never thought that was anything I would want to do when I grew up. Every so often, Mom would bring it up again, "Storm, I really think you would like this. Just try it!" My answer was the same every time. Until, one day, I looked at some beads online...

I looked at all the millions of beads out there, the colors, what selection! My loving husband (then boyfriend) encouraged me and that was all it took. I placed my first order with $200 for a few beads and supplies. Now, years later, I am about to take my jewelry business on full-time while getting to stay home with my new precious baby boy! This is truly a blessing from God!

There is no way, without God, that the Stormy Brooke Designs collection would have taken off the way it has. My clientele now stretches from coast to coast and am now getting into wholesaling in boutiques all over the country!

As a little girl, I went from door to door selling flower pots I painted (I even had a catalog they could order from that I created) and friendship bracelets (which at $.10 each, I made over $200, and all went to charity!) My neighborhood knew me very well and most supported me in everything I went around selling. Oh yes, and thank you to all the church members who bought the sermon handouts I collected after church and sold to them as they walked out... Yes, I really did that...

My dream has Always been to have my own business. To create things people liked and to see the item put a smile on their face, was a pure blessing to me!

God has truly blessed me by preparing me for this jewelry business all my life and planting the perfect opportunities right in front of me! This is Truly My DREAM! Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this dream!