Business and Busy-ness

“I must be about My Father’s business”
(Luke 2:49)

This is March! The days are drawing longer and while the bight of winter hasn’t released its grip completely I am reminded that the rewards of the harvest belong to those with the mindset: “Let’s do it as early as possible, not as late as possible!” This could mean early in the year, early in the day or week, or early in life, as Jesus said in the verse above when he was twelve years old.

I am happy to be alive today and to take part in one of America’s small businesses. At the outset of another morning here, sunlight poured in through the window of the garage where we have our art studio and there was a lot of work ready to be done! In the process of taking inventory earlier, Michael and I realized we need to make some changes recording the size of each picture. After doing business for about a year, we are learning that this level of detail in our records will help us estimate the price of doing a picture or painting based on its size–one of those things you learn by jumping in to a business and learning what there is to learn.

In the past few months our art projects have ranged from a university emblem . . . . . . to locomotives on a mountain railway.

Many things are already off to a good start this year. We have many reasons to praise God. Yet as I begin to see God’s goodness, I also begin to see the pride of my own heart.

Sometimes I become proud of “my” accomplishments and take the credit from God and the others who have helped. Other times, when I get behind, I’ve noticed my pride leads me to glory in my own busy-ness. This feeling has become a sign to me, that I have left off trusting in God and asking for His blessing.

Margin Measuring is of Major Mportance“Recognizing that each project is a special assignment from Him, then using all my energies to accomplish it” is a life-saver for me at these times. Throughout this whirlwind year of 2011, I trust the Lord will remind us that He is the One who gives us the strength to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). He would like very much to bless us with business AND with the awareness of the One for whom and with whom we do our business, our Father in heaven.

7 Comments

  1. Esther March 1, 2011 at 7:26 pm #

    I’m praying for your business, Donald! It is exciting to see how the Lord is leading it!

  2. Daniel Staddon March 1, 2011 at 8:10 pm #

    This is the key to “enjoying our labor under the sun”!

  3. James March 1, 2011 at 8:24 pm #

    Ditto that, bro!

  4. Donald March 4, 2011 at 3:14 am #

    Praise the Lord–Inventory is almost done.

  5. Allen P. March 4, 2011 at 8:13 am #

    Wow, you guys are incredible. Do you have a website? I would recommend you guys to anyone.

  6. Crystal March 11, 2011 at 7:02 pm #

    That is so neat!! I also was wondering if y’all have a website for your art.
    Thanks for sharing the lesson – that’s one that is not always easy to share.

  7. Donald March 24, 2011 at 3:18 pm #

    Drumroll please . . . While Robert was here we did take another step closer to the launch of the Staddon Family Store!!! and progress will continue to be made in that direction. Watch therefore for ye know not what hour the store doth come!

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