Every night, when I tuck Paisley in we try to read a short devotional together.  It allows us to put aside any challenges of the day, reconnect and end the day on a positive note.  The devotional we are currently working through is designed for young girls to learn how to navigate the challenges they may face in school and dealing with friends.  

Last night, as I was reading the devotional, after a particularly long day, the weight of the message hit me hard.  The passage was talking about Jesus walking on water during a big storm.  He then calls Peter to walk on water, and by a miracle as Peter steps out onto the water, he too is walking on water.  But then, the fear grips him, he begins to falter and looks down.  The minute he takes his eyes off Jesus, he begins to sink.  In a panic, he cries out to the Lord and IMMEDIATELY Jesus saves him. 

I felt so convicted of my own journey in business.  Over eight years ago, after losing my job to a company closing and being 8 months pregnant, I very much believe that God pulled my heart and called me into creating a space where people can come together and connect to their inner ablity to create.   I believe that we were created by a creator to create, and running Paisley Grace Makery has allowed me to build relationships with so many amazing people and help them find the beautiful moment when you can accomplish something you didn't believe you could. When I got started, things happened pretty fast. Parties booked from parties and within a year we were opening our first brick and mortar. Now eight years later we are blessed to own a building not far from our Historic Downtown. I have an amazing team that truly understands the mission of loving on those that walk through our doors. I am blessed.
 
Like Peter, God called me out onto these unknown waters of business ownership, with no training, no manual or guide and allowed me to walk on them. However, just like Peter, I have lost count on how many times I have taken my eyes off of Jesus. When challenges have been thrown in my path- from staff sicknesses, cash flow shortages, global pandemics just to name a few-- if I'm honest, I didn't always keep my eyes focused on the plan he has laid before me. I would  fight and battle, and instead of relying on Jesus to carry me through and focusing on an eternal path, I would try to rely on my own strength. Like a drowning victim, I can think of so many times it fealt like I was thrashing, fighting and pulling those around me down because I was fearful of what the future would bring.

But I was going about it all wrong. We are GOING to encounter challenging times in business and in life.  When these moments occur- it is not my responsiblity to fight through them-- it is my responsibility to have supernatural faith-- some would call it walk on water faith.  

If we keep our eyes on God during the really tough times, He will give us faith to do impossible things. 

I want to encourage you, fellow maker and creator, that you are not battling alone.  There will always be storms in when you are running a business- and sometimes those storm seem to pile up on each other one after another.   In these moments, keep your eyes fixed on the long game.  Keep focusing ahead with an intense gaze so that you are not tempted to look around at the challenges at your feet that will cause you to sink.   The battle has already been won.  When Peter started sinking, it says Jesus IMMEDIATELY reached out his hand and caught him.  I know so many times when challenges were in my face, the rescue didn't feel very immidiate, but looking back the pieces all fit and I was lifted back out of those dark waters.  When we keep the faith and continue to put one foot in front of the other it doesn't mean the storms won't come-- but it allows us to keep a long term perspective that the storm will pass and we will have a hand reaching out to us.

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”29 “Come,” he said.Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.