Passion Series

It could have been Tampa, but it could have likely easily been anywhere.

I had a knack for traveling – my family traveled often growing up, so seeing the places we visited through the eyes of a curious youth enhanced that desire.

Boston, New York, and Seattle were among my top picks – Boston for the culture, city art and it’s up-and-coming urban backdrop; New York City for the love, fashion, and editorials…the speed, ecclecticism, and opportunity to attend grad school to focus on architectural development and scaling of modern and urban cities; Seattle for one thing and one thing only. #Coffee: The birthplace of American coffee.

Tampa became the winner because of its business opportunity to me. Traveling and exploring wasn’t just a dream; it was a mandate and destined to happen by God. And I’m so glad He did. It’s where I met my husband. It’s where I started my business. And it’s where God intends for me to continue to grow.

And I’m so glad He did. Because, it’s just the beginning.

– P.S., Kaye –

I was 17 years old when I got my first job – I felt relevant and independent. I was a working woman. I felt ready, and it was timely.

It was such a wonderful, youthful time. Everything was fresh, so new, and real.

Working as a brand sales representative for Limited Too! Inc. was where I got my customer service experience. Connecting with customers was, for me, more than just a sales experience or an upsell opportunity. I really did enjoy being myself and sharing the “happy” experience.

I was in a work environment that challenged us to be great, empowered us to make wise decisions, and equipped us with core retail management structure.

I loved every minute of it.

Before long, I was promoted to Lead Brand Representative which came with a full $1 raise (when you received a whole dollar raise, you were considered to be doing ‘big things’ back then) and a set of register keys. I could make management decisions and would now be considered to the path of leadership, elevation, and management within the company. There was only one Lead Brand Representative per store, and I was it for ours.

Acting in that capacity helped me to perfect leadership qualities within. And while the role itself was incredibly exciting, the importance of having a balanced perspective and approach to customers, employees, sales, and now district and regional management was work – and it required a serious mindset.

Looking back I realize this fact even more. It’s funny how our current circumstances teach us, whether we realize we’re being taught or not, and fully equipped us with what we need for the moment and to flourish in our future.

There was so much fun then, so many new and shared experiences, so much more to where this “first job” took me from there…

The reflection back to these things are so sweet; living in the moment was so much sweeter.

…reminds me to cherish every moment in the now…

– P.S., Kaye –

I’ve always been a goal-seeker and an explorer – even if that meant exploring the intellect of my own mind.

I guess sometime after I’d spent a few years too long in college, I’d made-up my mind that I was going to begin building my professional resume through local job opportunities. I’d set my heart on becoming an administrative assistant, an entry point to corporate America and a great career-building opportunity.

The gig was on.

I began working over the summer for a real estate investment trust that owned and managed golf courses throughout the country (yes, Innisbrook Golf Club in Tampa Bay was one of them). The new job was only supposed to last a couple of months, as the company was in the process of liquidating its assets. I was efficient in my work – and proud of it, might I add – and before summer ended, I was asked by the controller to stay on throughout the end of the summer.

My time with them lasted on through ’til the end of the year.

Since I was in college, I had linked up with our Career Services (that’s how I found the first job) and decided to further explore career-building opportunities. I moved on to work for a family-owned business (or collaboration of businesses) whose services focused on masonry and custom home building, which was a perfect scenario because I wanted to be an architect.

They trusted me as a leader and organized employee having a skill for detail and a passion for organized management procedures. I soon find myself working directly with the owners and architect, organizing their processes, managing OSHA guidelines, and visiting job sites to ensure procedure delivery and follow through.

Efficiency could have worked in their long-term best interest; I would soon understand that, in their case, small family-owned business really did mean small, family-owned. They didn’t have the room or budget for a long-term employee like myself, nor the other interns and assistants that they’d hired. But, they did have need for a robust process which I helped create for them.

Exciting times.

Career Services at my college created a track record of having produced great jobs; but this time, I had experience.

I was a “machine” so-to-speak. I had lots of energy, natural intellect, critical thinking, a healthy curiosity, and the drive and will power to create. With my God-given abilities and my recent job experience, I looked for more inclusive jobs – ones that required the use of my knowledge, skill and experience. Ones with forward opportunity.

There it was.

Document Control Specialist.

Definitely mine. I met with Career Services on to fulfill their required information and resource counseling opportunity. Applied.

On December 6, 2003, I began working as the Document Control Specialist for T.Y. Lin International, civil engineering firm and bridge designer for the $531 million Arthur Ravenel Bridge project and $63 million Cooper River Bridges Demolition project. I received my very own shoebox office.

And, BOOM! Just like that, my career path began.

Sometimes life’s course can lead us through great accomplishments – whether or not we recognize the immeasurable growth that took place from the start.

I’ll tell you WHO knew what ordered steps that my path would require.

God did.

– P.S., Kaye –

You are good enough.

In fact, you are enough.

I feel like every so often there has to be reminders of this aspect of positive truth and motivation within our lives.

So, be encouraged!

…

Now that we have been encouraged, I emplore you to take Godly actions to fine tune yourself and your process.

The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. – Exodus 14:15

Taking too long to reflect sometimes can hinder our forward process and progress.

So, when you feel like the chips are so-called “down,” be encouraged, reflect on good and Godly actions, then get moving to complete them.

Because, you have been affirmed in the Lord. After all, shouldn’t you walk in that?

– P.S., Kaye –

I am thankful to the Lord for His works in our lives.

One step forward at a time still represents movement and progress.

Delight thyself in the Lord, for He will give you the desires of your heart.

Recognize God’s good gifts of love in those things He has set before you and has allowed you to experience.

God will never leave you or forsake you; He will always make sure that you’ll have all that you may need.

– P.S., Kaye –

Today was a good day.

And although it didn’t necessarily play out how I’d imagined (well, I didn’t necessarily imagine it, lol), God made sure that He was there through everything.

Living in God means choosing His Will and His way; and while things may not always go exactly as you planned, know that choosing His way will get you there.

I am choosing each day that I am bound to His Will, as I am aware of His ever-present presence and my need to respond with righteous actions.

– P.S., Kaye –

Blessing came amid my planting seeds and tending to my garden today.

I recalled the days and weeks before where God called new movement to action – specifically calling me to attentively address a few things.

He ordered my steps, garnered my movement.

When we look to God for change, He looks to us for obedient actions. And, in our obedience, we plant seeds of Godly movement that brings about spiritual change in our lives.

When the time is right, it is God that will bring about the harvest, as we remain faithful to our commitment in Him.

– P.S., Kaye –

Persistency pays off – yes, even if the outcome looks different than what you’ve planned.

My plans included what I believed to be the best batch of potential business contacts.

God surprised me.

He caused the one I’d set aside for later to call me back today.

I came to the realization that God will put the perfect outcome before us and that it will be fitting for our needs.

What we never thought we needed is what God chose a “best for us.”

…

After a continuous “grind” I found myself burnt out, tired, frustrated, sad, angry, and a little anxious at times.

After a brief time of “letting things settle down a bit,” God began to activate the need of pursuit within me.

Because of my constant state of having been “settled,” I found myself to have “settled into” it, and I cast doubt – fear even – when it came to movement and the thought of pursuit, and, nevertheless put off pursuit until I just could not any longer.

As I approached the prepared time of pursuit, I encountered fear, self-doubt, reluctance…all anxious emotions that initially prevented my action in response to God’s push.

But in my encouragement, and in God’s push to pursue, I accomplished.

Every. Name. On. That. List.

And then the one.

Be pursuant in your obedience to the intended pursuit of the Lord.

Because in your obedience and within your pursuit is Godly manifestation of Godly purpose all wrapped up within a mighty Godly blessing. And I had to learn that.

Is God initiating or stirring pursuit within you? If so, what and how is He calling you to fulfill that pursuit?

– P.S., Kaye –

At some point, producing the promises of God is in our hands to complete.

How, you ask?

By purposefully holding ourselves to task. Producing the promises of God requires 2 simple things: obedience and action – both of which somehow become one in the same along the way.

Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1

God calls us to purpose and He sets it all up; but we sometimes get distracted and stopped along the way by hindrances to a Godly outcome: fear, procrastination, anger, fear, unbelief, disregard.

Do we let our own set of standards and way of thinking prevent us from doing our part to see the promises of God fulfilled in our lives?

Today was my day. To get past every holdup, every excuse that held itself in higher regard than the truth of God’s purpose that has been called over me.

Never doubt God’s viewpoint of you and His purpose that has been called within you! When you do, you leave little room for accomplishment to take place.

Today, I gained control over what God tasked me with to complete – it gave me such Godly motivation, and I feel empowered by His spirit to keep moving. Encouragement from my husband through the Holy Spirit came at the just right moments.

Some days may require more output, others less. But one thing is for sure: it requires a response to the push of God within you.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

– P.S., Kaye –

It’s easy to “change” when God reveals things to us in that awe-inspiring moment. But true change takes place when we commit to the every-day endurance of it.

Being open to change means living beyond the first encounter and interaction with it. It is for us to make a daily commitment of Godly intent, Godly wisdom, and Godly actions and standards in the implementation of it.

Enduring brings about patience, and patience about the strengthening of our faith – the benefits of God’s truth set within us.