I've been in Daytona Beach for three months now and it's beginning to feel more like home.  I've made a few friends, found a couple of places where I can go and get good word and have great encounters with God, gotten involved in some thing to help with my writing and have tackled the first round of job interviews.  I'm not worried about a job or making money because I know that will come.  God taught me how to wholly lean on Him for everything I need.

Last week I sent out my weekly message that encouraged us not to trade our deadlines for God's timeline.  It's something that I remind myself of constantly. That reminder came again over the weekend.  If you know me, you know that I've always loved everything artistic and creative.  One of my dreams has always been to have my own line of merchandise; clothing, accessories, interior decor items and the whole nine. I was offered the opportunity to join the design team for an online retailer.  At first glance the offer seemed amazing and I was excited.  Then I read the details of the designer/artist agreement and a certain section read as follows:

"If my Design is selected for production, I grant to COMPANY X under all intellectual and proprietary rights, an exclusive (even as to me), global, irrevocable, perpetual, sublicensable, assignable right and license to reproduce the Design on the Products, sell Products bearing the Design, change or rework the Design by making color, size, or other changes, make derivative works of the Design, use the Design on the COMPANY X website and on promotional material for COMPANY X, and otherwise fully exploit (including without limitation, the right to pursue infringers) the Design in connection with the Products. I acknowledge that I waive all "moral" rights that I may have in and to my Design as it relates to the Product. I also acknowledge that the Design I am licensing to COMPANY X is my own original work and does not contain or violate any trademarks, logos, copyrighted material, or anything or any right belonging to any third party. If my Design has been previously published I acknowledge and agree that I have all exclusive rights to the Design."

Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing legally wrong with this agreement.  It just isn't right for me.  Although the opportunity is one that I've always wanted, it costs too much.  I could sign the agreement and go along with the things in the list but who knows what they might decide to do later on.  I have to be intentional about where I place my name and image  Everything I'm attached to needs to line up with what I believe.  They could attach me to some things that I am wholeheartedly against.  They could put my products in position to support causes I'm against and a whole number of other things.  Those few small phrases like irrevocable, perpetual, exploit, and moral rights just don't sit well with me.  In everything I do, I choose to do it with integrity and remain true to my morals and values. That's too much power and control to give up over an opportunity.

What God has for me is for me.  His blessings make rich and add no sorrow. That's a simple litmus test to let you know if it's from God or not. If everything about it makes you miserable, it probably wasn't  from God in the first place.  It wouldn't do me much good to take this opportunity and then be miserable because I have no control over my art, no say so in how I'm portrayed or what message my work supports.  I just couldn't do it.  However, I'm confident that this is just a preview to what God is about to send my way.  The devil always sends decoys and dummies to try and catch you in a snare.

Let me tell you what did come out of this opportunity!  In reading through the company information and agreements it opened my eyes to the possibilities of working with a similar company but maintaining the rights to my artwork and designs.  So let the search begin!  Sometimes when you decline an opportunity the enemy presents, God opens the door to an even better opportunity simply because you took a stand for what's right. Read the fine print!  Even if this doesn't turn out the way you expected look for what you can use and take away from it.. All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose Romans 8:28.