If you are like me, I always wonder about the motivation behind people who actually choose to enter the hectic world of starting a business.

In my case, it was God!

Neither my Mom nor I have any business training, web design skills, marketing experience, etc.  But our Squeaker Sneakers business has grown way beyond our wildest expectations and we can only credit it to our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ!!!

Every January our church has a day of prayer where the community is invited to fax, call or email ANY prayer requests to our church.  As a group, our church members sign up for shifts to intensely pray for ALL of the prayer requests sent in for 12 consecutive hours.

It was during our Prayer Day in 2006 that for the first time in my life I felt as if God was truly speaking to me as I prayed. 

Now I know that the Holy Spirit guides me by nudging me in certain directions (and keeping me away from certain things too), but this was the first time in my life that I felt this strong feeling that God was truly speaking to me.

"Don't watch TV for two weeks," kept running through my mind as I prayed each request and I kept trying to push it away so I could focus on each individual prayer.  However, it kept entering my thoughts so I finally put the sheet of prayer requests down beside me and prayed about the persistent thought in my head. 

I said to myself, "Perhaps I'm crazy, but what can be the harm in not watching TV for two weeks?  If God is truly speaking to me, then I am following his commands.  If I'm crazy, then noone will be hurt if I don't watch TV for two weeks."

So I left our church that day, vowing not to watch TV for two weeks.

It was during those two weeks that I stopped rushing my kids to bed by 7PM (before my favorite TV shows) and starting reading an extra Princess Book or two and cudddling with them in their beds.  I also took bubble baths EVERY NIGHT (by myself too!!!  That NEVER happens with two little girls!!!)  I read two books cover-to-cover.  I prayed more and was generally more relaxed.

It was also during this time that I pondered about Claire's lack of motivation to walk or even bear weight.

I remembered Madison's red squeaky shoes and decided to find some for Claire.  During those two weeks I received the shoes and decided that it would be fun to start a company of selling quality squeaky shoes with fun and original designs. 

My Mom eagerly agreed to become partners because she is always up for a challenge (and she financed the company as well....THANKS MOM!!!)

We truly believe that this company was founded for a PURPOSE other than to "grease our pocketbooks."

We are not sure yet of where God wants us to place the profits of our business.  But rest assured, He knows where they will go and will tell us when the time is correct.

Our job now is to build this business to the best of our abilities so that HIS purpose can be fufilled!!

Life is too short to lust for life's rewards---leisure, power, popularity, financial security, etc. 

I read this scripture last night and it has stuck with me until this morning when I decided to add the long story to my website:

Matthew 10:32, 33

If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my father in heaven.  But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven.

If you do not yet know the peace that comes with knowing God, it is really so simple!  Sit down and read your bible and pray for God to guide you as you read it.   I would start in the New Testament (with Matthew), and read it to the end.  Then begin reading the Old Testament.

(added 1/7/07)

Recently I became involved with a wonderful ministry called WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL

It is a FREE correspondence course  that has been created to aid people in studying the bible.  It is non-denominational and non-threatening.   This ministry sends bible lessons to EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!

I now correspond with 10 people in Kenya who want to study the bible.   I would invite you to visit their website if you are interested in either being a "helper" to those who want to study the bible OR contact them to become a student.  Again, it is FREE!

Do not underestimate the power of God!

Proverbs 1:19
Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;
      it robs them of life.