12/14/2020
Finding your purpose is so important. Once you discover it, you understand that it’s the work that God has put you on Earth to do to serve Him. Some kind of way, you…out of everyyyone on Earth has a specific assignment that fits perfectly into this gigantic and amazing plan, but how? How can our purpose accomplish God’s mission, spread His Word and bring good into the world? How do we find it? If you’ve found it, that’s great! If not, I believe it’s revealed in our gifts, our passions, and our experiences.
It took me what feels like forever to discover mine and honestly, sometimes I still question if this crazy big dream of mine is okay with God. For a little context behind this, I spent ALL of my college years pursuing a career in the medical field. It wasn’t until I failed and got discouraged to try again that I realized it wasn’t what I really wanted anyway. When I thought about what I absolutely love, what God has put inside my heart, and what I daydream about while holding up traffic at green lights, I realized a dream career in fashion. Makes sense since now that I think about it, I wanted to be a supermodel when I was younger and even auditioned for ProScout and America’s Next Top Model! That didn’t work out, obviously lol, so I gave up on the entire thing and didn’t think about any other avenues into the industry. I ended up going to school to be a nurse, then a physician, then a physician assistant, then back to a nurse, then back to a physician etc. etc. Clearly confused, depressed and SO unfulfilled.
Turns out, while in college studying the wrong major, I had all the right resources around me the whole time! I used to work at a library and my boss was super crafty. She taught me how to knit and a little sewing. So much time wasted, in my eyes at least. I could have been studying fashion design at MSU then practicing outside of the classroom with her! Although I feel like I wasted a lot of time, maybe those years were a part of God’s plan all along. Who knows. Fortunately though, one of His promises is to restore and give back to you the years you feel you have lost. Also, what He has for you will always be for you. Thank you! Hallelujah! I still have a chance. 🙂
Fast forward after college, instead of taking action on this “dream”, I wasted a few years dwelling in fear and doubt, thinking that I was too old and too many years out of school to try. I convinced myself that no one would care and would laugh, and believed that God wouldn’t bless me with a successful career in fashion because He just doesn’t care about that kind of stuff. He’s got bigger things to care about. But the truth is, God does care about our dreams and passions. He gave them to us. He also created EVERYTHING. He’s the ultimate artist, designer, and Creator. &&He knows we need clothes lol.
As I walk this journey, I feel God has strategically put certain people in my life at just the right time and I’ve learned from them that it isn’t always the work you’re doing or the “product” necessarily. It’s how you’re using that gift and that passion to give Him the glory for your work, connect with others and give back. So I’ve decided to trust God, take a huge leap of faith and follow my real dream to become a fashion designer. I am so obsessed with fabrics and special occasion wear. One day I will own my own atelier and design wedding, prom and birthday dresses. I’m still very early in the learning process but I think I’ve made my little way around a sewing machine.
I now present to you “Jamila”, a luxury brand. My first products are these classic, luxurious and beautiful 100% silk charmeuse face masks. Check them out at https://www.fashionyum.com/jamila/ if you’re interested in purchasing. I decided to use my name because it means beautiful in the Arabic language and those who know me well know that I struggled with serious self-esteem issues. Because of a lot of PCOS symptoms, I didn’t feel beautiful. But now I know who I am to God, which is His masterpiece. My message is the same for you. We all have insecurities and such, but the key is remembering that we were created perfectly in our mothers womb. Such a complex work of art we are! God took A LOT of time on us because we are special to Him. We must thank Him, love Him, love ourselves, seek His will everyday and watch His plan and purpose unfold. I’m super excited for myself and also for anyone who felt this story was helpful.
One last note: A percentage of the profit for these masks will be donated to a family in need during these difficult times. We will use what we have been blessed with to bless others. If you know of someone or a family in need, please prepare a submission and email to [email protected].
Thank you for reading and sharing. ❤
