Delight yourself in the Lord

[source]

This speaks a thousand words to me. I was browsing through some of my favorite blogs earlier and came across this post from Jenni at Story of My Life, where she shares the same picture because she's on a similar journey of establishing herself as a writer/photographer/business owner. There are so many bloggers who I'm encouraged by, because they're following a little passion that has now turned into a small business. To name a few: Megan @ Across The Pond [shop], Amber @ Goodnight Moon [shop], Maggie @ Gussy Sews [shop], Jennifer @ Jennifer Blair Photography [website], Arielle @ Arielle Elise [website] and Ashlee @ Where my Heart Resides [website]...The list could go on, but lately these are the girls I've admired, a lot. They remind me of how important it is to pursue this dream and enjoy my work, rather than settling for some corporate position in an office. If I want this photography business to happen I need to stick to my goals and remember to work hard. 

This phase that the author speaks of is true, on so many levels though. I spend hours looking at photography sites and discovering options for branding myself better, the types of images I want to have represent me, and the way I feel a business should be run. But, I don't have a lot of what I need to make these dreams happen at the moment, I'm stuck and have been stuck during what feels like forever. Freedom is 30 days out, and by freedom I mean graduating from college, and then I'll be able to dedicate the time I need to this dream. I know I'll succeed and be proud of my work at some point, it's just going to take a lot of hard work to get there. I'm so ready for it though, I feel like God has given me these talents and they can't go to waist. I have to bring Him glory through them. How awesome is it that God allows you to have passions and dreams that are achievable? He's given us these things so we can pursue them and enjoy our time here on earth. 

Psalm 37:4 says, Delight yourself in the Lord and HE will give you the desires of your heart. 

My heart speaks art, it speaks creativity, and most importantly I long to do what the Lord has for me. It gives me so much joy to know the Lord has given me these talents, desires, and passion so that I might enjoy my time here and bring glory to Him through them. I consider this verse my driving force, so long as I delight myself in Him, He will bless me with the desires my heart so longs for.

I know I'm on this photography kick lately and I probably bore people to death by how much I talk about it, but when you find your niche it's you against the world to make it happen. Rather, you and God against the world...'scuse me :). It's exciting and scary all at the same time and it boils up inside you. I'm at a crossroads (woah..cliche to the max, we all know how much I hate that) but, there's really no better way to describe it. I have this degree almost in hand, but I don't want to use it. How many people really say that? After all this time in school, test after paper after quiz after dreaded group projects and while it may come in handy later on, it'll just sit in a drawer. Maybe I'll frame it..who knows. But the reality here is that I'm on my own now, I have a degree so now it's in my hands to make a living happen. I refuse to work at Starbucks for the rest of my life, could you even imagine? Yikes. 

I know that won't happen, but it's sure easy to get caught up in the easy road, laziness. 1 Corinthians 9:24 reminds us to finish the race we've started. Run with full potential toward that prize. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." There's competition out there so I have to remember to constantly run back to God, daily asking the Holy Spirit to empower me. Did you know that's why He's here on earth? Empowering us to do the Lord's work. With the help of the Holy Spirit I know I'll run to get this prize. 

I want to get these thoughts out, I journal from time to time..but adding colorful images of my own throughout my thought process is much more appealing to me. I hope whoever reads this will continue to stick with me through this journey of establishing myself as a photographer and business owner. Oh man! I may or may not have had goosebumps just typing out "business owner." That's just the coolest..