Moving to California has stretched me — all of us — in new ways. First we needed to gather {what seemed like} endless amounts of inspiration + willpower to make this move happen. I mean, we traveled 2,000 miles from the tundra state to the sunshine state. Then we needed to gather endless amounts of persistence as we pushed through all the challenges a move this size requires. And now that we’re here it’s remembering endless times that Christ has great plans for us and wants us to be stretched. He wants us to chase after our passions + talents. Looking back to four years ago I see where the stretching began.
Zack felt strongly about blogs so he helped me set one up. See also: he set it up. Then I found Etsy and Zack encouraged me to open an Etsy shop filled with items I had sewn. Who cares you just learned the trade, he told me. You can totally do this! Suddenly we were discussing attending conferences, quitting my day job, hiring more help, traveling to Tanzania, speaking at this conference {yeow!}… I could go on and on and on and on how I have been stretched these last four years. And a lot of it doesn’t have to do with the business. Wanting to start a family, friendships changing, community-building.
But one constant through all of these life events is my fear of change.
You know the quote,
Our Deepest Fear, by Marianne Williamson
Change is hard, but you don’t need me to remind you of that. Change has had it’s ugly hands reaching for my hands, telling me to hold back because it’s too hard, too scary, too big of an obstacle. It takes too much time. Don’t embrace change. There are other things to focus your energies on. That’s a silly idea. No, that really would be too hard.
These are all thoughts I’ve had, and I’m sure you’ve had them, too.
But what I’m learning is nothing is too hard for Christ, the Creator of all things.
Some things I’ve had to accept as “change”: a new daily schedule, asking for help, how we’ll grow our business now that we’re in Los Angeles and my home studio has been minimized, planning ahead {or not being able to plan at all}, time zones, searching for church + new friends.
Happy Sunday, sweet friends. And may today be a fresh day for you to remind yourself it’s OK to embrace change. xo
This speaks to me so much, Maggie. I hate change and am probably more afraid of it than I think. Thanks for sharing that quote and your life. It’s an encouragement to me.
@Shelly W., THANK YOU for sharing this! xoxo
I love this. It’s so hard to accept change and then harder to deal sometimes. I had a rough start to the school year because of lots of change, but it has turned into an enjoyable year of teaching so far, and it can only get better as long as I keep pressing on, and doing what I do best. Sharing this quote you shared with my leadership class! I love it!
@Trina Curran, Sometimes reminding myself “change” can mean following who I was born to be. It makes it a little bit easier :)
Maggie, I needed this inspiration today. I’m also reminding myself daily that when He holds me to the fire that He’s purifying me. Life is made up of struggles and changes. May He always have the glory when we realize His plan to better us and give us our heart’s desires!
Beautifully said. Thank you for posting this. Excited for your growing family and this new season! <3 Jami
So glad I read this today — very encouraging. I’m in a stage right now where I’m desiring change, but it is definitely scary. My husband and I are considering moving out of state — something we’ve both dreamed of doing for several years, and we had a hard but good conversation about it last night. We know we need to move from where we are, but it’s hard to know the right time. We talked about all the difficult things we would have to go through to even make it there — moving expenses, finding a home, jobs, etc. This move would be incredibly stretching for the both of us, especially me since I’ve lived in the same place my whole life (28 years). Thankfully, like you said, nothing is too hard for Christ and that is something I need to rest in. His timing is perfect. I’ve loved hearing your heart and following your journey. It’s been an encouragement to me. Blessings to you both :)
@Sarah, Isn’t it a lot to process sometimes? One foot, then the other. Repeat. That’s how we made it to California. I’d rather try something than feel regret later on. Of course, praying about it the entire time helps us to know if it’s right. Be courageous, Sarah! xoxo
this such an encouragement to me as I have always been resistant to change…i’m learning and actually starting to enjoy being stretched.
@Tracey, ::smooch::
There’s no words to describe how this post means a lot to me at this moment… For the past 8 years, my life has moved around cookies. It started as a hobby, became a business and a blog. I found wonderful friends online and traveled to meet and have fun with them. Then the business was closed, and I started sewing after more than 10 years of not doing it. I am happy with the change, I am working on a new business but I still don’t have the courage to talk about it to my bloggy friends and followers… I scares me to watch them all leave me in this bloggyland all by myself.
Meeting fabulous people in sewingland like you might help me put it out there…
@Bea @ CancunCOOKIES, praying for you, Bea!!!
Thank you for this wonderful post Maggie. You are inspiring and motivating. And thank you for your blog and for sharing your journey.
I think you’ve moved through this time of change marvelously. Or at least you’ve done well to make me believe that you have. :D I’ve been going through some major changes myself these past 3 years…. Let me encourage you to not fear, and at the same time, don’t get ahead of God. I’ve done that. The getting ahead part. Take time to be quiet and listen. Yeah….easier said than done. You will be light years ahead of everyone when you achieve that discipline and heed what you hear from your loving heavenly Father. You inspire me Maggie Gussy Sews Whitely!! And so does your sweet and wise husband. What a blessing he is to you. {hugs}
@Diane | An Extraordinary Day, SUCH great wisdom >> don’t get ahead of God. THANK YOU for sharing that with me!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo
Your posts about change and your move are inspiring me lately. Husband is actually flying to another state TOMORROW to interview for a job that would require a fairly big move. Obviously not as massive as your recent move, but it’s got us so excited for the possibilities and nervous for the outcome.
Thanks for the inspiration, and being proof that a big move can be great! I’m so scared!
@Leslie Zimmerman, OK — it’s been a few days, how did the interview go? ♥
Praying for you Maggie! Having moved about 2 months ago, I can absolutely relate to how difficult change can be. But I firmly believe that the Lord went ahead of you to make a way for your family in CA! He has big plans for you there!!
@Laura, This gives me goosebumps. You are so right… :)
We moved 1800 miles from Austin to San Francisco. We took a chance and bit the bullet and moved (husband had a job, I did not upon moving), 10 months later we realized it wasn’t what we thought it would be so we moved back.
I love change, but it was all very hard!
This is a fabulous quote. I’d never thought of it as being afraid of the light, not the darkness. What a flip, but it completely makes sense. I’ve been so insecure about what others must think of me. Somehow with the help of the Lord, I’ve been able to push back the insecurities just enough to let that light shine and begin making a difference in the world the way I feel I was intended too. Thanks for this little bit of encouragement today!
I am one of those people who embraces change because it allows me to reboot, start over, try new things because I’m forced to. Sure it’s not easy – ever – but I try to be a glass half full kind of person. Moving is a biggie – but I have found all of our moves have been defining moments in my life. We’ve lived in our current community for 25 years and I’m feeling the itch to move, but my husband loves his job so until he decides he needs a change or retires we are here. Now, the good thing about your move to LA is the fabric district – amazing! My SIL and I are headed up there from SD next weekend for a day of fabric therapy. You are so close you could go there in a heart beat – so jealous.
@Peggy, See, I think that is what scares me. First we were in Michigan. We left just as I was starting Gussy Sews, and about 8 months after arriving in Minnesota I was working on Gussy Sews full time, exclusively. Now we are in California and are expecting our first baby. God is SO GOOD, all the time, and He has always lifted us over the rocky moments. But I have been stretched so much and it’s all been because we Trusted God. I keep thinking, “what’s next????” Of course only God knows, but still… He has my attention ;)
I think my favorite part of this whole post is how ZACK encouraged you to start a blog and an ETSY Shop! How wonderful is that?!?!!?!! MAJOR POINTS FOR YOU ZACK!
@Annie, He is a keeper. And so is Lance. Once we chat prices {so sorry we couldn’t today} I think it will be easier for you two. xo
Your website is so interesting and inspiring! I discovered it after I heard you on the Simple Mom podcast. I live in Orange County CA and go to an amazing church called Cottonwood Church in Cypress. It is a little bit of a drive from Culver City but it is a great place to visit until you discover somewhere a little closer. Thank you for being such an inspiration and best wishes to you as you settle into this new season of your life.
@Ayris, Oh my goodness, thank you Ayris for leaving a comment! isn’t it funny how I mentioned moving to California and all along we were working on it? ;)
Thank you SO very much for this! Just found this post…the night that you posted it, I sent in a job application for my very first job (im 18). I have an interview on sunday and I am sooo incredibly nervous and worried that I am making a wrong decision since I absolutely love my uncomplicated life right now. I have been a nervous wreck for the past 3 days but tonight when I read this post – all fear left me. Thank you 10000x for making change not seem so scary!
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