Purpose...the close of a season.

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me.”- Erma Bombeck

We just started a new series in church on the Purpose of our Life. If you are like every other person, you have thought this thought in some way or another. It might have been differently worded. It might have been in different stages of your life, but you have thought, and if you are a Christian then you have asked God....."what is my purpose?". I asked God that question about 10 years ago when I struggled with the everyday. The wake up, make breakfast, make bed, brush your teeth, go to the grocery store, clean your house, prepare for dinner, etc, etc. I struggled, not because babies didn't "fill" my time, and I didn't have a million things to do, but I struggled because, did my million things matter? I found myself asking...Do I use my time wisely? Do I live each day to the fullest? Do I get out and stretch myself in areas that intimidate me? Do I love and serve well? Do I challenge my faith? Do I live as though Christ lives in me? Do I live for the Kingdom?

God showed me that He was my purpose. I was to live for Him in every stage and season of my life. Seasons would change, but my purpose would not. 

Everyone reading this can look back at the last 10 years of their life and something has changed. You got married, maybe divorced. Had children, or maybe grandchildren. You may have even lost a child/children. Gained an in-law, lost a Parent. Discovered Cancer, beaten Cancer. Graduated High School, Graduated College. Started a Family, Started a Career.  Started a new job, or even two jobs. Nursed your infant, nursed your dying parent. 

With every one of these, there was Joy and Sorrow and still yet, we asked the question "what do I do?","why am I going through this?", "what is my purpose?".

But unlike all these seasons, your purpose never changed.








I have a purpose, and it is through joy and sorrow that I share with you that my purpose remains the same that God showed me 10 years ago, but I have a season that is changing.








I have a heart for Community which is one of the main reasons for opening Bellamia. God has challenged my faith, stretched me in areas that intimidate, humbled me with His grace and mercy, strengthened my marriage, grew our family, taught me to be more organized, how to use my time more wisely, how to get creative and most of all, how to wake up each day and live for Him for I am incredibly dependent on Him alone.






A few months ago, I asked the Lord if it was time to close the doors of Bellamia. There have been great challenges, oh yes, and the economy has been very unpredictable. Yet, I knew that if the Lord wanted me to stay in the business and hang tight for what everyone was saying about 2012 being the turn around year, then He would sustain us and give me peace. But I did not have peace, and felt the calling to close it's doors. God has been so very gentle in His timing and shown once again His faithfulness to us. Of course this decision didn't come without many tears shed over the loss of something so big in our lives, but the peace and joy I have for whatever the Lord has in store for me is what I stand on. He is faithful. He always has been to me and He always will be.







I look back on my New Years post earlier this year and already see God's gentleness in preparing me for what He would show me a few months later.






I can not tell you the exact date of closing for that will depend on the sales of inventory and fixtures. We do plan on keeping the Highland's Antique Mall booth until I am lead other wise.

I can not thank the Lord enough for all of you. I have enjoyed every bit of watching your children grow. All the conversations we've had. All the excitement we've shared. All the trials we have grieved. All the support we have given to each other. I wish I could thank each of you individually and probably won't be able to wear  any mascara over the next few weeks for the tears that will well up as you enter and exit the doors of Bellamia for the last time.

I will continue to keep my blog and I do have some creative things lined up for it. Please keep our family in your prayers if you think of us as we close a season in our life and start another.

You all have been such a blessing to us and I hope that you have enjoyed Bellamia to it's fullest.

Starting tomorrow, sales will be 30%-50% Off on All apparel and 50% Off All gifts and accessories.



May you find great purpose in your life, be stretched in your faith, challenged in what you find intimidating, encouraged in your understanding, peace in your decisions and blessed by your faithfulness.

For I am forever grateful to live community.....

To God be the Glory!