The Gift: Operating in My Grace

If I started this blog at 19 when I first realized my passion for fashion, it would have solely been on my idolization for designer threads and how I would scour racks endlessly until I found the perfect piece. I had no sense of time and would shut a store down; not afraid to hear the final last call to the register with my precious finds. My fave stores were pretty much any brick and mortar along the historical Walnut and Chestnut streets;including J.Crew, BCBG and Anthropologie. At 19, I also thought to write a book (What not to Wear) because if Stacey London could tell people, I should hold the same right. I knew my must haves for any fashionista would definitely include any shade of pink and of course a healthy dose of leopard. I had big dreams; that is until someone told me, “Who’s going to listen to you?”

Now I’m a mom, wife and working full-time. My love for fashion is still there but I have developed a whole list of new passions in my new found roles as homemaker and mom. My new found loves of cooking and finding ways to create a gorgeous editor approved home on a budget, were now my vantage point. I also had just planned my luxury wedding which received a feature on “Say Yes to the Dress”. After the countless anxiety attacks over every detail of my nuptials, I knew my passion had gone deeper than fashion.

I couldn’t help but agonize and analyze the details of the corresponding hardware throughout my home or Jaydon and Lexington’s first birthday parties. I couldn’t help but nag my florist constantly over the flowers carried by my bridesmaids on my big day; which naturally had to gradate in various shades of pink in sequence to reaching my sherbet colored gown. Life is not perfect and cannot be predicted but each detail you can control should be beautiful, strategic and most importantly;styled.

So 16 years later, its better late than never. At 35, leopard is still a must in my book. You will still see me in pink or find a splash sprinkled throughout most projects that I touch. And most importantly, I am still following the one who gave me this gift. I know this was a bit lengthy, but the moral of the story is never doubt who God created you to be. More importantly, never let anyone else tell you who you can or can’t be. I made that mistake at 19 and doubted myself for years after. Well no more; I am learning to operate in my grace which is my gift. In the words of acclaimed gospel songwriter Donald Lawrence;

“The systems of the world try to take your confidence, But these systems were designed to make you doubt what heaven sent. The gift it looks good on you, and you wear it well”

-Donald Lawrence

Your gift or your grace is the key to your success. God says a man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great (Proverbs 18;16). So stop doubting who he has graced you to be. Even if you are currently like 19 year old Angela, its never too late to operate in your gift. Now let’s accessorize that gift and wear it like only you can!