Stand.  That’s what Scripture says.

Ephesians 6:13:  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Babies grow in the womb for 9 months (some shorter times, some longer).  And I’ve been told that businesses take a minimum of 3 years to experience growth.  As I approached the end of my first year, I found myself in a place where I truly questioned if I’d done all I knew to do.  Had I succeeded in blessing people in all situations as they walked through the door?  Had I helped anyone along the way?  Or was it all for naught.

I have had absolutely no doubts about starting this business, or about the locations I have been in.  If you read back over my blogs you will agree with me that God opened up each specific place for me in His specific way and time.  But there came a time when I wondered…..Am I trying to push open doors that God has firmly shut by staying on after my first year in my brick and morter shop?  Without sales, a business cannot survive.   Neither can it survive without the help of others along the way.  And yet I know that God kept me in that brick and morter shop until He said clearly,  “Child, you’re done here”.  So I stood then, and so I still stand – because I’ve done all I know to do.

Tell me, am I the only struggling warrior out there?

This business…..Burlap & Lace…..has been more than a shop or a store front to me.  And I in no way want to kick open doors to make my dream live on.  Seasons are again changing, and while I don’t know exactly what the next season will look like, I can tell you this:  It will be good!  

I’m heading back solely into the first space I longed for and eventually moved into at Marketplace on Locust, giving up my second space.  The upcoming designs will still reflect my style of decorating, much as they do now, but I hope you will find new and creative additions flowing out of a heart of gratitude (and perhaps a few more blog posts!). God has led me through some thick and difficult waters in my past, but He has continuously been faithful to me. 

To have landed in Ilse’s shop 4 years ago was no thoughtless meandering on my part.  God opened up a place for me there and has held my heart in it these four years.  I have gone beyond the normal “booth space mentality” to understand the thing I wanted most of all in opening up my own brick and morter….to be with and enjoy the people He puts in my path daily.  I thought that would only be possible in my own shop, but not so.  Ilse has been gracious to allow me to hang out at Marketplace more often than I ever imagined she would….and when I’m not working in my own space, she graciously allows me to help her customers find things in her shop that have them leaving with new goodies and a smile on their faces.  And my joy is fulfilled….I’ve done what I love to do and been in a place where I love doing it.  

It may sound a bit simplistic, but this first sign I ever made really does say it all….Love…is all you need.

So you see, standing, when I didn’t know what else to do, WAS something to do. And it kept me from falling, except to my knees, even now, to thank God for His merciful kindness to me….in it all, and through it….all. To Him be the glory forever. Amen (so be it).

~Blessings,

Connie