When someone judges you...{on Network Marketing and the haters}...

There are only two other things that I can think of that can compare to the way social entrepreneurship can shape and grow you; marriage and motherhood. Honestly, it's that sanctifying.

Network Marketing is absolutely a growth incubator. It stretches you and grows you and makes you face your fears and beckons you to step outside of your comfort zone. It encourages you to look at your strengths and your weaknesses, it makes you dig up why you do what you do and why you act the way you act.  One of the biggest growth opportunities is in facing the fear of "what will people think" or even more so, receiving a judgy message or comment from friends and/or family who think that you've been scooped up in a great big "pyramid scheme".

You see, I've received many comments. AND even more so...I have SOOOOOO many people in my life that don't ask. They don't ask how my business is, they don't ask why I'm doing what I'm doing, and often they don't ask how I am for fear that I'll start talking about my business. They just don't say a thing. Which to me feels odd and like there is this elephant in the room they are so eagerly trying to ignore. It's actually kind of hilarious {and at the same time sad}. 

A year ago, this consistently destroyed my sensitive heart. It made me sad. I didn't understand why people wouldn't ask. I didn't understand how they couldn't know my heart and my intentions. I didn't understand why they weren't curious about what I was learning or how I was enjoying this work. And I certainly couldn't understand the comments and messages - often said in passing with sarcasm and pity lathered on top. 

BUT GOD. 

Growth. It's such a beautiful thing. 

Because here's what I've learned.....

No one has the right to question what God has called you to.

I don't know about you and the work you've been called to...but I KNOW God has opened this door for me. He's given me products to share that CHANGE LIVES and He's given me this door to financially make a way to CHANGE LIVES by giving more generously to the causes and people I believe in. I asked Him NOT to make this my path {truly}. He didn't listen.  But now I see why. This path is the beacon by which He is raising me up as a leader, and the beacon by which He's giving me the means to be able to give and serve and go and do.

And now I could weep with gratitude over being called to this work.

Because now I see.  This field is one of honor and service when done with a pure heart directed at the needs of others. 

My Network Marketing business isn't a scheme. It isn't a joke. It isn't me "tricking" my friends into buying from me. It isn't that at all. 

It's a way He's given me to serve others and change lives. Period. 

And although others may judge me, make comments, or remain silent. If The LORD has called me to it, He most certainly is cheering me on and making a way. I live for an audience of ONE, and this path has truly made that so profoundly real and rich and fulfilling. 

A few weeks ago I had an old acquaintance write me the most horrible messages. She put me in a box. She judged my intentions. She was nasty and in no way able to see past her own issues and pain to hear my heart. Like...it was shocking! My husband was all bug-eyed as he read how so very wrong she had summarized what she believed my work to be about. 

A year ago that would have broken me. 

BUT GOD. AND GROWTH. 

NO ONE has the right to question what you have been called to. NO ONE. 

If He's called you to skip college and go to trade school. DO IT. If He's called you to drop out of school and go become a missionary. DO IT. If He's called you to join the military, adopt children, ride your bike across the country, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, join a Network Marketing company {GASP!}.  If He has called you, if He has made a way,  and if you are truly walking with Him in this life, then no one should stand in your way. Let Him fight for you in the objections. Let Him carry you through the judgments. Let Him love and support you when other's fail to do so in the way you desire.

When other's fail to see your heart, it's more about them then it is about you. 

 I've learned that when other's fail to lean in; when other's fail to take the time to ask why you're doing what you're doing; when other's fail to cheer you on; when other's write nasty texts or make snide comments: It's not about you. It's actually about them. Their woundedness and insecurity is truly being projected onto you. They can't see that, but through eyes of grace, He so easily makes that known to those who are kindred with Him. 

In the last year I've learned to love and pray over those who judge this path He has me on. In that praying the most beautiful thing almost always happens.....I usually develop such insane compassion and empathy towards their heart and the wounds they carry. And that right there, that makes it all worth it. I can love them through whatever they say, however they judge, because in the end, I truly believe this life is about loving other's no matter who they are, what they do, or how they treat me. How could I not? 

My Jesus faced this and so much more.

We love because He first loved us.

And in loving other's in that way, we grow and we change the world. 

​Truly.