The Magnolia Story

by Chip Gaines

But guess what? It all seemed to be working out in that perfectly messy way life works when you trust in God and his plans for

your life rather than focusing on your own.

It is no easy thing to trust in God, to walk away from a career, to give it all up not knowing if you can ever get it back or even come close. But I

did it. I heeded his voice, and somehow I found peace about it.

Sometimes worrying about something is much worse than the actual thing you’re worrying about. So really, what’s the point in worrying?

I realized that my determination to make things perfect meant I was chasing an empty obsession all day long. Nothing was

ever going to be perfect the way I had envisioned it in the past. Did I want to keep spending my energy on that effort, or did I want to step out of that obsession and to enjoy my kids, maybe allowing myself to get messy right along with them in the process?

But that’s just not life. If you can’t find happiness in the ugliness, you’re not going to find it in the beauty, either.

Letting it all go is freeing. (And it’s cheaper too!) I am learning that getting our intentions right simplifies our decisions in life and changes our

perspective. And in the end, what it’s all about is thankfulness and contentment.

it’s up to us to choose contentment and thankfulness now—and to stop imagining that we have to have everything perfect before we’ll be happy.

and find what it is that inspires you, go and find what it is that you love, and go do that until it hurts.

Don’t quit, and don’t give up. The reward is just around the corner. And in times of doubt or times of joy, listen for that still, small voice. Know that God has been there from the beginning—and he will be there

until . . . T...

The End