Just wanted to shoot off a quick boutique update since you guys were praying and so many of you touched base today to encourage me – let me say it was VERY appreciated!
When the rain started at 2pm today I started praying, but by 3:30 (beginning of the set-up time) it was POURING. I got drenched bringing stuff in (thus the frizzy hair in my picture), but praise God managed to get the scarves and art in keeping them relatively dry – which was my main concern.
The rain did not stop. Vendors were late – even Carol got stuck in a TON of traffic and only arrived 10 minutes before the doors opened at 6:30. Who knows what caused the light amount of shoppers we had – may have been the rain, might have been because people were shopped out from black Friday, might have been that they didn’t realize the event was in the lower church lot (because there were no signs)… could have been any number of things. But it was SLOW!!!
I personally had exactly 3 sales (2 for art and 1 for scarves). I sold less than I had in either previous year – less than half what I did last year. I have to be honest and say initially I was fighting some significant discouragement! But here’s the thing – I KNOW God is and will meet all my needs. Every scarf that was made will find a home (I actually gave away more than I sold tonight – gifts honoring some people for various reasons) – over 40 scarves came home with me.
Then after reminding myself of all that, I find a message from Christine (thank you Christine), that God kept reminding her of Psalm 121 as she prayed for me tonight:
- I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there?
- My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
- He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
- Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
- The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
- The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
- The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
- The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
So thank You Lord again for reminding me – my help comes from YOU and YOU are mindful of all that’s happening – sales that happen and sales that don’t and YOU have it covered. And I trust You.
And thanks to each of you for your prayers and encouragement – you’re such a blessing!
Amen! That word (Ps 121) was exactly what my message/teaching was yesterday. It came with the challenge to evaluate daily what my focus is on and not allow anything to distract from being aware of Him and faith only in Him. You sowed and surely you will reap in due time!
God will meet all your needs. It is better to give than receive and God will honor this. We cannot out give God !! The testimonies and the ministry from these gifts you have given in days to come you will see the fruit. God bless you for your willing heart to be a servant for your God and king. He knows when a sparrow has fallen to the ground. He konws the number of your days and your beginning and your end. Stay steadfast not looking to the left or the right but look to your maker of heaven and earth. Be still and know He is God who goes before you. Know that the testing of your faith brings perserverance. God can change things over night concerning your finances. God loves a cheerful giver and I know you give from your heart. God bless you this day !!
I know you know this, so I am not patronizing you or telling you anything new, or giving you some wise advise. But I am constantly reminded in business when the sales are lousy or at least, less than we need, that that is not our measure of success. Our measure of success is not in dollars and cents but in lives we touch. We must redefine success. Satan would have us focus on the natural. But God would have us look at the eternal. One life, one touch, one prayer. It is unfortunate that our business/ministry is so dependent upon money. It makes it very hard to focus on what we really are called to do. But we can be encouraged. Matt 6:32b & 33. “For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”
So again, nothing new, nothing profound, just a little encouragement that you are on the right track. And all the work you went through to get ready for the boutique will not be wasted. God has a plan. Keep on keeping on. Gal 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Blessings are your this day!