Practical guidance to help small business owners grow their businesses with integrity
My new novel has just been published. I haven’t received a copy yet, but my publisher sent me the cover files and a media kit. I’m so excited. The graphic designer did a wonderful job on the cover.
It won’t be available for sale on Amazon for a few days. However, if the story sounds interesting to you, you can email me at susan@susaneball.com and I will be happy to email you a “sneak peak.”
Although I rarely eat fortune cookies, I always open them up to read the “fortune.” The message I read is often not a prediction of my future, but rather a proverb or observation, such as the one I got today: “Little and often makes much.” It’s an interesting observation and one that would be hard to dispute, but it doesn’t have any real meaning for me.
Sometimes fortune cookies do make predictions. Recently my niece’s fortune informed her that she would soon receive a raise. She’s only 15 and not yet working, so it’s not likely to come true. And, of course, it is totally unrealistic to think that a strip of paper found in a Chinese cookie could accurately predict anyone’s future. Despite that, I am fascinated by the number of times a fortune cookie message seems to be have been written specifically for the person who received it.
At the same lunch in which my niece received a prediction of a raise, my fortune cookie message read: “You lead a useful life no matter what riches are coming to you.” At the time I wished I had swapped cookies with my niece; I have a job and I could really use a raise. Despite that, I had to admit that the fortune was the right one for me. I’ve kept it in my purse since then, and each time I read it, I am encouraged.
Although I have an MBA degree, I have never earned much money. Currently, my salary is almost exactly equal to the average salary for a woman working full-time in the United States regardless of age, education, or experience. Not bad, but not great. I doubt that I will ever be rich in a financial sense.
Yet, I am rich in all the truly important ways. I have a wonderful family who love me despite my many shortcomings. I have a great job that I enjoy going to each day. (I don’t enjoy getting up in the morning to go to my job, but that’s another blog for another day.) All my material needs are met, as well as my spiritual needs.
My job is rewarding in many ways. I get to meet with clients who are trying to start new businesses. I give them guidance and direction, free of charge. They come in apprehensive and full of questions. Ususally they leave with answers and ready to face the frightening world of business ownership. Even when I don’t feel like I was able to help them, they usually thank me profusely for my time and assistance.
Outside of work, I believe my life is also useful. I attend a spirit-filled church where I can worship Jesus Christ freely and where I can train up the next generation of girls to be Christian leaders in our church and community. We teach the girls the truths of God’s word and instill in them a love of serving others, so that they too will lead useful lives. One of the ways we do this is through visiting residents of area nursing homes and assisted living centers. The girls bring joy to the residents through singing, conversation, and interactions.
This time the fortune cookie did get it right. I may never be rich, but I hope to always lead a useful life.
What fortune cookie messages have you gotten that really applied to you? What’s the most inaccurate fortune cookie message you have received?
I’ve knitted dozens of Christmas stockings over the past 37 years since my grandmother turned the duty over to me. Most of them have featured traditional Christmas figures, such as Santa Claus, snowmen, and gingerbread men, on a red or green background. I’ve even made a few on blue backgrounds. Until now, however, I have never knitted a lavender Christmas stocking.
The occasion for this non-traditional stocking is the impending birth of our first granddaughter. Two years ago, I made a pair of stocking for our son Matt and his wife Kristin for their first Christmas as a married couple. They both chose a puppy pattern and, rather than having identical stockings, ask me to adapt the colors to look like their two dogs, Jasper and Allie. With the expected arrival of their first child, a daughter to be named Brooklyn Elise, they wanted me to knit another puppy stocking. The puppy on Brooklyn’s stocking has dark gray ears and a tan face on a lavender background.
It is coming along nicely, except that Brooklyn is a rather long name to fit on one side of the stocking. I didn’t consider that when I stitched the name on it. As it currently is, “KLYN” would show when the stocking is hanging. Fortunately, I didn’t knit the name into the stocking but embroidered it on in duplicate stitch, so I can easily removed the stitched and rework it with “BROOK” on the front and “LYN” on the back. My alternative plan is to try to free -hand the name using a back stitch. I’m going to let the partents-to-be make that decision.
Last Christmas, I knit a stocking for our first grandson, Daniel. It was a wonderful delight to carry on the family tradition begun by my grandmother and make a stocking for the first member of our family’s next generation. Daniel is too young to understand the family tradition yet, but I believe he will also treasure his special Christmas stocking. Brooklyn is due January 7th, so unless she makes an early entry into the world, she will not be here to celebrate Christmas with us this year. We will hang her stocking, however, and thank God for this precious new life and the wonderful blessings He bestows on our family.
As Steve and I continue on this nearly three-year journey of unemployment, I lean on lessons learned from the trials and tribulations of David as he awaited the fulfillment of God’s promise that he would reign over Judah.
As a boy, David was anointed by Samuel to succeed Saul as the king of Judah. David was a full grown man with wives and children when he ascended to the throne. Quite a few years passed between the promise of kingship and the fulfilment of that promise.
The years of waiting were comprised of great victories and great hardships. David faced and killed the giant Goliath and was appointed a commander in Saul’s army. He led the army in many battles with tremendous success. Yet, Saul became increasingly jealous of David and sought to kill him. David was forced to hide in caves and live the life of a fugitive for many years. Still, he continued to believe God. He could look forward to the day when this difficult phase of his life would end and he would return from exile to rule over his nation.
It is easy for me to get discouraged about the state of our economy and the lack of job prospects for Steve. Two years and nine months is a long time to be unemployed and there is no end in sight. In these moments, I reflect on the trials that David went through and the place he arrived at when the trials were over.
1) David’s troubles were not of his own making. David did not seek to become the king of Judah. He served King Saul and honored him. Yet, he found himself running from Saul. Likewise, Steve’s unemployment is not the result of any action or decision on his part. He is a victim of a poor economy and bad decisions made by others.
2) David had victories in the midst of his hardships. While a fugitive, David continued to lead an army and had great success. Despite the loss of the majority of our income, we have learned to be wiser with our money and have been victorious over credit card debt.
3) God’s hand of blessing was on David during this time. God supplied David with food and shelter, and David married two of his wives and fathered several children during this time. God continues to bless our family, as well. Our family has grown in the last three years, with the addition of a daughter-in-law and our first grandchild; a second grandchild is on the way.
4) David became discouraged at times. In spite of David’s close walk with the Lord, he was human. He grew weary of the struggle and faced discouragement. David poured out his frustrations in psalms. In Psalm 55, David wrote, “My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the voice of the enemy for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.” (verses 2 – 4) We know that we will have moments of discouragement. In those moments, we need to take our eyes off our problems and focus our attention on God and the blessings He has bestowed on us.
5) David trusted God. The same man who cried out in despair also wrote, “I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name will I hope, for your name is good.” (Psalm 52: 8, 9) Our hope is in God. Our lives are in His hands, and our trust is in Him, for He is good.
6) David’s troubles did not last forever. Although David was a fugitive from Saul for years, there came a day when Saul died and David was crowned King of Judah. David knew that God had promised him the kingdom and he looked forward to the day that God would fulfill that promise. God has a plan for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Steve and I are at peace knowing that God has a wonderful plan for our lives. Even in the midst of this trial, we can see His hand of blessing and His plans being fulfilled.
If you are in the midst of a trial that seems like it will never end, please know that God has a wonderful plan for you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Suffering and trials are part of God’s plan to help us focus on the important issues in life and to learn to depend on Him fully. I pray that you will turn to God in your moments of despair and allow Him to fulfill his purposes for you.
I spent Saturday packing my mother-in-law’s belongings in twenty Rubbermaid tubs. Last week her three sons came to the sad realization that Mom needs to live in a facility where she can get constant care and supervision. The decision was made to move her to live near Steve and me.
It felt strange to pack up her belongings without consulting her as to what to keep. Steve and I made decisions as to what would be kept, what would be given away, and what would be thrown away. We couldn’t transport everything to our home and she won’t have a need for much in her residence. Her days of cooking are behind her, so her dishes and cookware were given away. She doesn’t read much, so most of her books were donated. We did our best to determine what items were valuable to her and to pack those items in the twenty tubs that would fit in our van.
As I packed her sweaters, letters, photo albums, and keepsakes, John 21:18 ran through my mind. “When you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
Although her body is frail and she is often confused, she does not suffer from Alzheimer’s. We are grateful that she recognizes her family members. She knows that she is coming to Virginia where she will get to see little Daniel, her first great-grandchild, and that she will be here when her first great-granddaughter is born in January. We are not sure, however, that she comprehends she is moving here permanently.
Steve’s mom has lived a long, full life. Her body has weakened and her mind isn’t as sharp as it once was. The important decisions that affect her are made by her children. She is fortunate to have raised three loving, caring sons who are committed to ensuring that she has the best possible care.
Our oldest son is fond of saying, “I’m the one who will choose your nursing home.” He’s teasing, yet there is truth in his words. One day I may find myself in need of supervised care and my children will be the ones making the decisions regarding my care. We, too, are blessed with loving, caring sons. I can rest assured that they will put the same thought and consideration into their decisions as Steve and his brothers are now doing for their mother.
No one wants to fail, and I am no exception. It’s easier to not try something than to take a chance and risk falling on your face and making a fool of yourself. For some people, this fear can be paralyzing; it holds them back from becoming all they can be. Others take the “What’s the worst that can happen” attitude and try almost anything.
When I was in school, I preferred concrete assignments. I was happy to solve math problems, write book reports, and memorize dates of historic events. The assignments I hated were the vague ones requiring creativity. I can still remember the dread I felt in second grade when my teacher would hand out large sheets of paper with room for a picture and a story. “Draw a picture and write a story” would be her only instructions. Most of my classmates were thrilled with the assignment, which she made about once a week. I hated it; I would be paralyzed with fear that I wouldn’t come up with a good topic or that my picture would not look like what I intended it to be. Eventually, I would draw the simplest figure I could and write a few sentences.
So, it’s ironic that God has given me an assignment to write novels that point readers to Him. I’ve always been comfortable using the analytical side of my brain, but I feel totally out of my element when it comes to being creative. I resisted God for a while before stepping out in faith and beginning to write. Every morning I had devotions and prayed for God to give me the words He wanted me to write that day. The writing went surprisingly smoothly. No one knew that I was writing, however. Eventually, I told my husband I was writing a novel. I expected skepticism. I received encouragement and support.
The first draft of the novel was completed before I shared with anyone else that I had written it. Telling my family and friends that I had written a novel and asking them for their honest feedback was very difficult. Eventually, I had to ask myself, “What’s the worst that can happen?” Maybe they wouldn’t like it, but they would reject me or stop loving me. Fortunately, their response was overwhelmingly positive. I made the changes they suggested and I was ready to begin the search for a publisher. In a relatively short period of time, I had secured a contract for the novel, Restorations, to be published.
I did not fail in my writing endeavor, but failure was certainly a distinct possibility when I began. Knowing that God had placed the desire to write in my heart alleviated my fears but did not dispel them altogether. And although my book has been published, it has not sold many copies. I have to keep my eyes on God and recognize that He has a plan for this book and the others in the series that are in progress.
This morning I was reading a back copy of The Pentecostal Evangel. The issue was devoted to second chances. Several articles shared that many of the patriarchs of the Bible failed God, yet He forgave them and continued to use them to accomplish His will. Then I read a devotion from Eugene Peterson’s book, God’s Message for Each Day. The devotion was entitled “Freedom to Fail.” Peterson wrote, “Fear of failure inhibits freedom; the freedom to fail encourages it. The life of faith encourages the risk taking that frequently results in failure, for it encourages human venture into crisis and the unknown.”
I wondered if God is preparing me for another step of faith into a new venture. Is He preparing me to try something new that has the possibility of failure? One part of me cringes and wants to shy away from trying something that might lead to failure. Another part of me recognizes that God is faithful and that tremendous peace and joy are the rewards of stepping out in faith and succeeding. I don’t know what God has in store for me next, but I believe I will step out in faith and follow His lead.
Has God put a dream in your heart that you’ve been afraid to try? I pray that you will have the faith to let God fulfill His dreams for you.
When I was a high school math teacher, one of my students made a statement to her classmates along the lines of “High school is the best time of our lives, people. You better enjoy it.” I challenged her assertion and explained that she had so many wonderful events in her life ahead of her—college, marriage, and children just to name a few. When she thought it over, she could see that the sentiment she expressed was actually very negative. Yet, I’ve heard adults make the same comment to their high school children.
For many people high school was a wonderful experience, and they look back wistfully on that period when they had lots of free time to spend with their friends and they were still under the protection of their parents. Unfortunately, however, high school is a very tough time for many other teenagers. Some teens struggle with making friends and feel like they don’t fit into any groups. Teens are pressured to wear the right clothing and hairstyles. Girls may be teased for being overweight or not fashionable, and bullies pick on smaller, weaker guys. Even the athletes and beauty queens are pressured to live up to worldly standards of physical perfection that are unrealistic. It’s no wonder that many teens struggle with low self-esteem.
In writing and in working with girls in my church, I am passionate about trying to help girls and women discover their truth worth as children of God. For 32 years, I have been privileged to work in my church’s Girls Ministries program. I became involved in this ministry while I was in college. My 8-year old sister volunteered me to teach a group of younger girls so they wouldn’t be in her class. I was available, so I agreed to serve. It wasn’t long, however, before I realized that Girls Ministries would be one of my life’s missions.
The Girls Ministries program exist to introduce girls to Christ and to help them find their place and purpose in life. One of the primary goals is to help girls realize that they are loved and esteemed by God. Their worth and value as human beings has nothing to do with their abilities, their actions, or their appearance. They are valuable because God created them and loves them.
I once heard a preacher say that the most profound message of God’s Word can be summed up in “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Jesus loves me and Jesus loves you. He loves each and every girl, regardless of her appearance, her background, her home life, or the mistakes she has made. This is the message we desire to impress on the heart of each girl. John 3:16 is perhaps the best-known verse in the Bible. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God loves each girl and His love is so great He sent Jesus to die on the cross for her sins, so that she can spend eternity in Heaven with Him.
Of course, the girls hear this message in Sunday School and church. So, why do they need Girls Ministries? I believe that Girls Ministries is important for girls to learn how to fulfill God’s purposes for them as women. Girls need a place where they can meet without boys present. Girls Ministries affords girls an opportunity to be themselves without trying to impress boys and to discuss concerns that should not be discussed in mixed company.
In a girls-only environment, we address sensitive issues such as dating standards and sexual purity. We teach them to apply makeup to enhance their appearance and to dress modestly, so as not to tempt boys to have inappropriate sexual thoughts about them. We give them tools to recognize verbal or physical abuse and encourage them to date only Christian young men who share their beliefs and who treat them with respect and courtesy. We also teach girls that they will make mistakes and they will have to ask God to forgive them. When they seek forgiveness, God forgives. However, they may still have to live with the consequences of their mistakes.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) Each girl in our program learns that God has a wonderful plan for her life. She can achieve this plan if she follows the instructions in God’s manual. God’s commands are not to restrict her, but to allow her to live life as fully as He has planned for her. A girl who appreciates this truth will not struggle with self-image or lack of worth. She will realize how valuable she is to the one who created her and she will grow into a confident young women equipped to fulfill God’s purposes for her life.
My grandson Daniel celebrated his first birthday a few weeks ago. He is a delightful, energetic child. Steve and I savor each minute we spend with him.
1) Frog and Toad Books by Arnold Lobel. This four-book series teaches young readers the true meaning of friendship through the daily interactions of these two different but steadfast friends. My mother discovered theses books when I was in college. I enjoyed reading the stories to my much younger siblings and later to my own children. “The Surprise” from Frog and Toad All Year is one of my favorite depictions of true friendship.
2) The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. I received this book soon after moving to Virginia when I was 6. I was experiencing snow for the first time that I could remember. Like Peter, I was thrilled to wake up and see snow and couldn’t wait to get outside to build snowmen and make snow angels.
3) The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary. Amazon lists this as the Weekly Reader Children’s Book Club Edition from 1965. I can still remember the excitement of receiving my monthly package from the book club and eagerly opening it to see what book had arrived. This one became a family favorite. As a teenager, I read it to my younger siblings whenever they were sick. This copy is still in the family and read often.
4) The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum. The first time I read the book was to my own children when Chris was 6 and the twins were 5. In the movie, the wicked witch uses poppies to put Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion to sleep; Glenda causes it to snow and awakens them. In the book, they are rescued by mice who build rafts and float the sleeping pair down the river. Much cooler! When we read this scene, Chris announced that “books are better than movies”. That’s my boy!
5) Mike Mulligan’s Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton. I read this book over and over when I was about 6. I guess I thought maybe one time, Mike and the Steam Shovel would get out of the basement. I am delighted to say that Daniel already owns a chunky toddler-friendly version of it.
6) Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater. One of our all time favorites. My sisters and I loved for mom read this book to us. Now that Jim Cary has made it into a movie, I’m sure more children will be exposed to this delightful tale. I can’t wait until Daniel is old enough to watch the movie with his grandma and grandpa.
7) Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry. When Mr. Willowby’s christmas tree arrives, it is much to large to fit into his house. He cuts off a portion which is rescued and become someone else’s tree. But, alas, it is too large and the top is lobbed off again. The cycle repeats itself several times.
8) The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear. I loved reading this imaginative poem about two creatures madly in love sailing off in a “beautiful pea green boat” with “some honey and plenty of money.”
The last girl in my husband’s direct lineage, Mary Ann Ball, was born in 1893. She was the fourth child and third daughter born to Samson and Mary Elizabeth Ball. Eight more sons were added to the family over the next 14 years. Samson and Mary Elizabeth were blessed with 45 grandchildren. Twenty-nine of those offspring were boys, including all four children born to my husband’s grandparents Giles and Lena Ball.
Three sons were born to my in-laws, Bob and Katherine Ball. After growing up with three brothers and raising three sons, Bob was anxious to have a granddaughter. Steve and I provided the only grandchildren–three boys.
Now it’s our turn to be the grandparents. We were blessed with a grandson a year ago. At Easter we learned that another grandchild was on the way. Given the Ball family history of producing male offspring, we planned for another grandson. Yesterday we were thrilled (and surprised) to learn that our grandchild is a girl!
We were delighted to share the news with Steve’s mother and wish that Steve’s father were still alive to share in the joy. Of course, a grandson would have been just as loved as this little girl already is. Our prayers have always been for healthy children and grandchildren, and we are happy to have boys or girls, as the Lord sees fit to send our way.
Historically, the odds were in favor of a girl. Going back 12 genereations to 1655, there have been 78 births in Steve’s direct lineage. Of those 20 have been girls. That’s about one girl for every three boys. After 19 boys in a row, the Balls were long overdue for a girl! We can hardly wait to meet her.
Amy Winehouse died earlier today, most likely of a drug overdose. Although I was not an fan of Amy’s music and did not approve of her lifestyle, I was sadden by the news of her passing. Only 27 years old, Amy should have had most of her life ahead of her.
The first time I remember hearing of Amy was in the fall of 2007 when an Internet news service ran of photo of a fornlorn Amy after her husband arrest. I don’t typically read gossip about entertainers; however, I was drawn to Amy’s photo. It was not her trademark beehive hairdo, her outlandish makeup, or the tattoos that covered her body that attracted my attention. Rather , it was the desperate look in her eyes. She reminded me of a lost child in need of help. As I read the accompanying article, I learned that Amy was a talented but troubled young woman addicted to alcohol and drugs.
I felt led to pray for Amy that day and occassionally since. My prayers were that Amy would find her way to God. Only God could provide the love and peace that Amy sought. Alcohol and drugs could neither solve Amy’s problems nor allow her to hide from them. In the end, it appears that they killed her.
Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe that Amy sought a relationship with God. And now it is too late for her. However, for anyone reading this, it is not too late. God loves you and He sent his son Jesus to die for your sins. Making Jesus your Lord and Savior is the only way to achieve true peace and happiness. God wants to give you the wonderful life He planned for you. Won’t you let him? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Susan's Reflections 
You must be logged in to post a comment.