The ugliest part of your story will be the most beautiful part of your testimony

None of our experiences will go to waste.

Your broken pieces create a new chapter of healing for someone else.

None of your tears are wasted- all have been seen and will water the soil of new life.

Welcome to the life of the narrow road- of the Upside Down Kingdom. Where rewards come from humility. Where to gain is to give up. Where to live is to die.

Jesus Christ, our pioneer, gave himself up for us- pouring out Himself as a sacrifice. Though He deserved all power, influence and fame- He gave up His rights for a life of poverty, anonymity, grace and being hated and despised.

Feeling poor? Great! The Kingdom belongs to you.

Feeling sad? God will comfort you, when you press into Him.

Feeling small and humiliated? Your blessing is coming!

Do you yearn to do the work of God and be seen? Don’t worry, God knows your heart, He is going to take care of you!

Did you display grace under pressure, mercy under fire and gentleness in the midst of an offensive situation? God’s mercy and gentleness will envelope your life.

Want to truly and honestly follow God with a pure heart and do good in this life with the unconditional Love of the Father- no matter what you get in return? You will see God’s hand all over your life and He will direct you in everything.

Are you constantly striving to being peace in your family, your work and school- even when no one else is? You are displaying the attitude of a true child of God.

Do you feel alone in your faith, unable to really share in fear of your job, your position or your community? But you do what you can to show light and pray wherever you go? The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to you.

Do people talk behind your back, slander you, smear your name and try to destroy your character? Be happy? Yes rejoice, because your reward is coming and God will set everything right someday- just hold on.

“So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:58‬ ‭GNT‬‬

Alexandria, Virginia: A community for women in business

Alexandria, Virginia: A Great Community for Women in Business

Alexandria, Virginia, is a great choice for women in business. Whether you’re thinking of relocating your company, or of moving and launching your startup, Alexandria has a lot to offer to women entrepreneurs, in terms of business opportunities as well as personal advantages. Here are some useful facts to be aware of, if you’re considering a move to Alexandria.

It’s an excellent city for business owners.

Alexandria is recognized as one of the top cities in Virginia for small business owners. A significant number of the population derives their income from small business. It’s also a profitable city to run a business in, partially due to being a shopping destination for D.C. residents and others in the area. Some of the local organizations that support small business owners include the following:

● Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

● Alexandria Small Business Development Center

● Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

● Old Town Business and Professional Association

● Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

How Alexandria ranks in cost of living.

While its cost of living is higher than the national average, Alexandria is still more affordable to live in than neighboring cities such as Washington, D.C. or Arlington – while still enjoying the benefits of close proximity to the nation’s capital. A relatively lower cost of living in the Alexandria area means access to a slightly more affordable workforce. Whether you’re thinking of buying or renting in Alexandria, you have an array of different and fascinating communities to choose from, such asNorth Ridge-Rosemont, which is best for median income, and Old Town, which is full of historic interest.

Alexandria enjoys a high quality of life.

Alexandria ranks among the top cities in the nation when it comes to quality of life, with its many cultural opportunities and events. If you enjoy outdoor activities, Alexandria is home to a number of excellent parks, and also hosts popular outdoor events. Here are some great outdoor destinations and activities for Alexandria residents and visitors:

● Founders Park

● Dora Kelley Nature Park

● Waterfront Park

● Carlyle House Historic Park

● George Washington’s Birthday / President’s Day Parade

● Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend

So entrepreneurs in Alexandria will find plenty to do in their free time and enjoy proximity to a workforce that is motivated, happy, and invested in the community.

It’s a safe community.

Alexandria is a relatively safe community to live in, with a low rate of violent crime. In fact, it is safer than 83% of the cities in the United States. The northern part of the city, according to residents, is especially safe to live in. Alexandria also happens to be a great city for health and fitness. So if health and safety are priorities for you, this also makes Alexandria an excellent choice.

A community that prizes education.

With an excellent public school system and around 45 colleges in the area, it’s no wonder Alexandria is listed as the fifth most educated mid-sized city in the United States. This is a boon for the entrepreneur since it means you can hire from a highly trained workforce. These are some of the top colleges, private and public, within a twenty-mile radius of the city:

● Georgetown University

● Franklin University

● DeVry University

● George Washington University

● Wesley Theological Seminary

● George Mason University

● University of Maryland Global Campus

Alexandria is culturally diverse.

This is another area where Alexandria, Virginia makes the top-ten list nationwide: among mid-sized U.S. cities, it’s the sixth most diverse, thanks largely to the presence of many first-generation immigrants. It is also socioeconomically diverse. This may make Alexandria especially attractive for immigrant or non-white women entrepreneurs in search of a supportive community. What to do to start a business in Alexandria.

If you’re a first-time entrepreneur with Alexandria on your radar, here’s your to-do list for getting your company launched there:

● Research the market

● Write your business plan

● Raise your funds

● Register as a business in Virginia

● Register your company name with the IRS

● Get your EIN

● Get any permits or licenses required in Alexandria

With its excellent cultural opportunities, educated and diverse populace, and its low crime rate, Alexandria is an attractive city to live in and run a company. If you are a woman considering starting your business in the Alexandria area and need an extra boost of confidence, the Confident Woman Workshop offered byCindy Dennis Ministries might be just what you are looking for.

Image via Pixabay

The greatest lie we believe about ourselves

1. You are only worthy/ good enough/ talented enough when you have reached ______milestone

Life is a never ending stair case of new skills, new experiences, new knowledge, new connections- there is no “final” destination, there is no “I’ll be happier if ______” happens.

New goals and visions are constantly on the horizon.

Just start- where you are.

Everyone is on a different path and journey. Stop listening to people who have chosen to stop their race to heckle at you- at least you are making movement.

“steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord….knowing that in the Lord our labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Keep striving- pushing through the hardship. They don’t know your journey to get where you are- so stop listening to them.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 says “You know that in a race all the runners run but only one wins the prize, don’t you? You must run in such a way that you may be victorious. Everyone who enters an athletic contest practices self-control in everything. They do it to win a wreath that withers away, but we run to win a prize that never fades.”

You are NOT a failure if you don’t reach ______ milestone by a certain time.

Most actors and writers don’t even start their career until their 40’s. Moses was called at 80. Age is just a number. It’s how you are conquering each season with grace and constantly learning through it all that matters.

You might be tempted to look over to someone else that seems to be doing the exact same thing as you and say “How come they get to do _____” and “How come I can’t do _____.”

You don’t know the sacrifice, the loss and the behind-the-scenes that goes into them being them. They might have different resources, different energy levels snd different support than you.

Social media is a poilished 1% of what ACTUALLY happens in their life. You don’t see their mental health struggles, you don’t see their tears at night, or the messy house.

Just be you. There is only one you in this entire universe.

Psalms 139:13 says: “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” And verse one and 16 says, “Lord, you have examined me and you know me. you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began.”

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Stop worry about followers, influence and success. At the end of life- the only thing that matters is what you did with talent and love you were given- how you made the world a better place.

Read about the story Jesus told about the talents: “Well done, you good and faithful servant!’ said his master. ‘You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!’ For to every person who has something, even more will be given, and he will have more than enough; but the person who has nothing, even the little that he has will be taken away from him.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:23, 29‬ ‭GNT‬‬

That’s all we can hope for in this world- being responsible for the part we have been given and making the world more hopeful and loving in the process.

Some of the Aposotke Paul’s most important final words to the Chirch in Philippi is an encourage my to shine bright and be a good example.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, as you offer them the message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show that all my effort and work have not been wasted.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:14-16‬ ‭

When everything goes back in the box- did you live your life the best you could? Was character and grace displayed in your life?

Was there a ripple effect with people influenced by your life and compassion?