Right at Home

This past weekend, my daughter launched her own small business. She saved her money and purchased the supplies she needed. She shared her vision with me, and we sat down and worked through all the details. We tested out her products and services to ensure she was ready to launch. Then we created her some marketing materials and a fee schedule. Once all of that was done, we made the announcement to a test market of a few friends and family. Within twenty-four hours, she had multiple paying clients! Each one of them was very satisfied and I’m sure will be repeat customers.

There are so many things to be learned from this simple and sweet entrepreneurial example. One of the greatest things I think we, as adults, can learn from my teenage daughter’s experience is simply to be willing to go after the things we’ve been dreaming of. Never once did I hear her make an excuse about why she couldn’t do this. She was willing to put in the work necessary to get the training and resources she needed. She was humble enough to ask for help. And she was bold enough to go for it!

She didn’t just dream; she did the work. She didn’t make excuses; she exercised her faith. She didn’t wait for perfection, but she did what was necessary to be prepared. If we just dream, make excuses, or wait for everything to be perfect, we will never launch out into the natural nor the spiritual things God has for us to do.

Now, let’s look at this same scenario from a different angle. God has used me on numerous occasions to help other people make their dreams come true. As a parent, it was such an honor to have the opportunity to help my daughter make one of her dreams come true! Now I ask you… What gift, talent, or ability has God given you? Do the people in your home benefit from your skills or mostly only people outside your home? 

Unfortunately, many times we work so hard to build a career, or grow a ministry, or make a name for ourselves in the world; that we fail to use those same skills to bless the people closest to us. Our families should not have to compete to receive what we so freely give to others. Many times, familiarity will hinder us from serving those we say we love the most. We end up giving the best of ourselves to others and those we live with get our leftovers, if anything at all.

I encourage you to ask your family, “What is it you see me give to others that you’d like me to give more of to you?” And when they tell you, don’t get defensive. Instead, dream of ways to serve them better. Refuse to make any excuses about why you can’t do for them what you do for others. Don’t allow perfectionism to hinder your progress. If you choose to do this, I believe you’ll find that the ministry opportunities you’ve been praying for have been waiting on you right at home.

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