Stepping It Up

Dear Friends,

God bless you, your loved ones and your ministry today!

Have you ever found yourself getting a little lazy?

Well there is nothing like having no food in the house to get me to step it up and get back to work. I had applied to be a substitute teacher in Dec. and I received my first job on Tues. of this week. When I visited the school on Wed., I found out that I could have a one day teaching job five days a week if I wanted it that way, which I don't. However, our budget requires that I make money, which is not always easy to do with art.

I have not had a paycheck for 5 years. Of course I have worked: parenting, painting, doing domestic work at home, plus some volunteer work. But I was free all the time. Whatever I did was my choice, because my husband is not demanding and he's very willing to work to provide for our family. He supported me in my dream to be a fulltime artist.

My art career has grown...slowly. Even though I am passionate about painting, I am less than thrilled about the work of promoting my work. Business is not my forte.

This morning I jumped up out of bed and hopped into the shower, because I knew I might get a call to teach and if I didn't, I would be prepared to paint. (I just received a call to teach this afternoon and I said, "Yes.") Now I will hurry to get the dishes done, walk the dog, and paint as much as I can before 11:15.

I am having to step up my stress handling skills and my self discipline to get everything done that I want to do. I used to be much better at this when I was 22! Now that I'm 55, I have to push myself harder. But it's good to be pushed a little, just not too much.

Love, Sue