Dare to Dream: How We Brought My Husband Home
Well, today is the start of something new. It’s hard to even know how to begin this post, because so much has happened in our lives the past several months, that I feel led to let you all in about it all.
Have you ever had a dream that seemed to be unachievable? Something that seemed so impossible that you just sweep that dream or desire under the rug and give up on it?
Today friends, I am here to tell you that dream you have can happen.
You see, today is my husband’s first day AT HOME. Not working a 9-5 job Monday-Friday. It has been his desire for many years now to find a way to be home more with his family and pursue other opportunities from home. He had a wonderful job the past almost 8 years for a great company that provided more than we could ever ask or think.
And 2 weeks ago, he resigned.
This wasn’t an overnight decision by any stretch. It is one that we’ve prayed long and hard about, and one that God put in motion months ago. Probably years. Since after all He is the one that knows what our futures hold.
It was a decision that we took the leap and trusted God on, and while scary, came such freedom. And joy.
You see, we are taught to work 9-5, because well, that’s just what you are supposed to do. You get a high school diploma, get a college degree, and get a job. We are somehow programmed to believe that’s where our value is. What our identity is in. But it’s not, if you are someone different on the inside, slowly dying away as each year passes, and as you grow another year older, not being able to gain that time back.
Although Randy was an excellent employee and was great at what he did (systems analyst, programmer etc), he is not a sit behind the desk man. He is a music man. A man that has probably more of a creative brain than I have, has his own ideas, and even a little ADD. :)
So how were we able to bring him home?
I set out almost 5 years ago now when I started this blog to inspire you all to create a beautiful home on a budget. And now years later, I still do the same, but I also want to educate you about natural health and well being. It’s turned into a passion of mine. Maybe one that might even annoy some of you because it’s not all about decorating. But you know what? That’s ok. So between the 2 business ventures that I had no idea when I started would become businesses, that is how we were able to. Words can’t express how truly grateful we both are. It’s not an easy street though. It’s work. It’s a lot of hours. It is something where working for yourself and a lot of determination has paid off exponentially.
We don’t have any debt except our home and 1 car, which we are working on. Other than that we don’t live beyond our means, and we don’t finance or pay anything with credit cards. Because we don’t have any credit cards, by choice. If we need to save up for something, we will, and buy it with cash. I learned from many dumb decisions when I was a teenager and in my 20′s how evil credit cards are. If you are not responsible. And I wasn’t back then. Thank the Lord for deliverance! :)
I read Ashley’s post several months back about how she told her husband he could walk away. That post resonated so much with us, as we were feeling many of the same feelings as they were. It’s truly such an inspiring read.
You know what was most scary to me about him resigning? It wasn’t so much about the salary we’d lose. It was the benefits. We had great benefits. But as I pondered more, as we talked about it more, we came to the conclusion you can’t live just for benefits. Because that’s not living. It’s not the only reason for staying at a job. Some may disagree, but you do have other options.
When you have a dream and a special talent, and you are doing the total opposite of that as in Randy’s case, it makes it a little more clear when you type it all out as to what happens when you have a job, just to have a job.
It doesn’t require you to step out of your comfort zone.
It doesn’t require you to trust in God He will provide all of your needs.
It doesn’t require you to stretch your faith.
It doesn’t require you to pursue YOUR dreams because you are pursuing another persons dream.
Did you catch that last one? That one really brings it home to me. If you retire at a job and at the end of so many years all you receive is an honorary pin, what happiness is in that? Are you really fulfilled? Have you really lived life to the fullest, doing the things you want to do?
I know people will say (and have said), their thoughts on the whole benefits and insurance thing. Rest assured, I am not stupid, and we have all of that covered. I even have family members who don’t agree and that’s ok. That just means we are doing something right.
We are so excited about this new journey. This new day. One that will allow me to be more creative at home and free up some time for more projects and to work on our businesses, and one that will allow him to help teach our kids and educate them by helping me with the homeschooling. It will also allow him to pursue what he’s so great at, and that’s music. And some other business opportunities that’s come his way.
Last Fall, Randy took a year off from playing at our church. He’s been there 18 years. That freed him up on the weekends which we were thankful for. But this Fall, the church asked him to come back. And it was right at that time we were seriously considering and thinking of how he would ever be able to leave his day job. I can’t tell you how much of a blessing it is that everything has just fallen into place.
We know it’s all by God’s design. It’s far too perfect of a scenario not to be His plan.
And that is what we can rest in.
And because my husband won’t give himself any credit, I am going to today. This is him playing his saxophone his first weekend back at the church this year. It brings me to tears every time I hear him play, because a) he is so great at it, and b) I know this is his dream. His passion. His purpose.
Isn’t he amazing? I sure think so. :)
And one more quote I’m going to leave you with by John C. Maxwell:
The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.
If I die tomorrow, I will die happy. I’ve been living my dream of being a stay at home mom and teaching my kids, writing my blog, and sharing and educating about essential oils. And now, I am happy my husband can start living his dream, beginning today. It’s his turn. We have no fear.
What is your dream?
Be sure and also read my dear friend Myra’s post today where she has shared a similar story about her and her husband. It gives me such joy to read other testimonies where the chains have been broken. And just so you know, no, our husbands did not plan this together, although they are friends too. ;)
xxoo,
Decorchick!
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