Cottage Style Blogs: a Cottage Blog, Etsy Blog, and Vintage Blog

Out of respect for my dear friend Sally, I didn't entitle this post "Season's Change."  Since it was months between my last few posts, poor Sally got pretty tired of checking in on Cottage and Creek only to see Season's Change for weeks (months, perhaps!) at a time.  This is probably true for all my faithful readers and I apologize.  But guess what?  I'll be back to posting more frequently because there's been more change in my little world.  I quit my job.  Yup.  I'm home for good now unless the Lord leads me on another adventure.

My dad's health is failing and since my parents have been so supportive of me over the last eight years since my husband passed away, I decided I wanted to be available to help them any way I could so I gave my notice last week. 

But to be perfectly frank, I needed to quit regardless of my dad's diminishing health.  I hadn't been looking for a job when the opportunity to work at the consignment store came my way.  I was perfectly happy running my Etsy shops and doing my thing.  However, when the door opened on the "perfect job," I walked through it.  It made sense and seemed like an answer to prayer.



As the weeks and months went by though, what seemed clear at the time began to get cloudy.  I found myself compromising on my integrity in order to please my boss and I felt less and less like myself and more and more like someone I didn't recognize anymore.  I was on a slippery slope headed in the wrong direction.  



Psalm 51:10 says, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  When I made time for God in the morning, and that too slowly became less frequent, I found myself asking for cleansing as I often felt dirty - physically, mentally, and spiritually - after working at the store. 



I felt like my light was being snuffed out because of the things I was asked to do and say.  And being relatively new and still learning the ropes, I didn't have the nerve to go against what seemed to be the way things were done.  I tried hard to be a positive force in what turned out to be a very negative environment but sadly, I had to give up in order to honor myself and my principles.   



The store was closed during the week between Christmas and New Year's and I took advantage of that time to pray and consider my priorities.  My family and my integrity are, and always have been, more valuable than a paycheck, than my ego, and than my pride.  I realized I had no choice but to give up the "dream job" because I wasn't going to change it, but it had the power to change me for the worse. 



So I've bid my job as manager of a consignment furniture store good-bye.  It was a good experience in so many ways.  I met some lovely women who I hope to stay in touch with.  I also learned more about myself, my strengths and weaknesses, and my need for more of God in my life.  I came away from this experience with a greater appreciation for what I have:  a simple, cozy home where truth and love reside, a creative spirit that's itching to be expressed, and family and good friends who love me regardless of my "oops" and "uh-oh's".  I'm learning to be content right where I am and to stop seeking More, Better, and Bigger.  I'm learning to appreciate what God has already provided instead of lamenting what I think I'm lacking. 

My Etsy shops will be opening again soon and I'm anxious to get back to sewing.  No matter how hard I try, I can't quell the innate desire to create that burns within me.  I'm going to be writing more too.  My daughter told me recently that writing is the thing I do best!  Out of the mouths of babes!  So I'm taking her words to heart and choosing to invest in my dreams instead of the dreams of another.  So hugs to you all for sticking by me though this.  I feel free and lighthearted for the first time in months!  XO ...