Where We've Been & Where We're Going

Kelsey and I have learned a lot over the 8+ years since we started Etch.  Over the last year, we've reflected a lot on all that God has done, all that He has brought us through, and all the ways He provided when we didn't see a way.

As we looked back, we noticed four themes — and, like we always do — these encouragements became collections last fall.  And, through them, we have a story of what God has done.  But also, what is to come...

Grace Rewrote My Story. This is where it all started.  At the beginning, when God first called us from darkness to life.

Ephesians 2.4-5 — But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace.

Do Not Fear. Starting a business is a lot.  It's scary as you walk through uncharted waters.  As you take leaps of faith, not knowing if people will resonate with what you're doing.  It's even more crazy when everything gets shut down in a pandemic and you're trusting God to show you the way through.  In 2020, we had just moved our brick and mortar location.  It was a leap of faith, but God had provided this perfect space for us.  A few months later, Covid hit and we had to close for a bit.  At the time, we weren't sure what God was doing.  But, we knew He had given us this new space and He wasn't surprised by this.  We trusted Him through some really uncertain times.

Isaiah 41.13 — For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear, I will help you."

Consider the Lilies. There have been so many days and even seasons when Kelsey and I weren't sure if Etch was going to make it.  Early on, we had opportunities with big box stores that we pursued, only to be left with unpaid invoices when the stores went bankrupt.  It almost sunk us and still hinders us in ways.  But, when we start to doubt, God reminds us that this is business is His and He ALWAYS provides in some way.  And He has!  It's not always how we expected or thought He would.  We have learned to simply ask — HELP — and allow Him to help as He sees fit.

Matthew 6.28-29 — And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow : they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Be Found Faithful. Through every single thing, all God asks of us is to be faithful to what He has called us to.  We often say — what is the next right thing? We don't have to know how this all works out or what He wants to do with Etch in the future, we just need to be faithful today.  In fact, when we first started Etch over 8 years ago, today it looks nothing like what we thought it would back then. Because this is God's, we hold it with an open hand and faithfully do the next right thing.

1 Corinthians 4.1-2 — A person should think of us in this way : as servants of Christ and managers of the mysteries of God.  In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful.

Well, that is where we've been.  But, God has been showing us a lot about the next right thing.  We have been guilty of looking at other small businesses and influencers to see what they are doing and what is working for them.  For some reason, we are shocked when their path doesn't work for our race.

Kelsey and I went to the IF Gathering in Dallas last month and were processing about how we're running our race.  We don't have to do business, social media, parenting or life like anyone else.  Instead, what is God asking us to do? What is our path to run our race? What does God have for us in our sphere of influence with our people?

Which leads us to this next season.  Much like the changing of winter to spring, we are experiencing fresh hope and excitement about what's next...

He Was Faithful Then & He's Faithful Now. As we enter a new season, we continue to look back at previous ones.  Remembering all God has done before, allows us to stand firm in the promise that because He has been faithful before, He will do it again now and in the future.

Deuteronomy 7.9 — Know, therefore, that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.

How Lovely is the Gentle Pace of Growing Things. It's hard to have patience.  To do the hard work, day in and day out.  We all want the quick fix, the instant gratification.  But that's not how God works because His time is so different from ours.  And, when I think back on trials God has brought us through, the destination was fulfilling, but there was so much God wanted to teach us in the middle of becoming who He wants us to be.  It's a journey we will be on our whole time here on earth.

Luke 8.15 — As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Get Your Hopes Up. Not in the circumstances or emotions or whatever end goal you're trying to reach.  But, keeping our hope set on God,  It's been a struggle for us because it's so easy to get our hopes wrapped up in the number of followers we have on IG or hitting a certain sales goal.  But, when our hope is in Christ, the circumstances and emotions and end goals don't matter.  They will fall short and fail us, but we don't have to be torn down when that happens.  When our foundation of hope is in God, those things will not destroy us.

Romans 5.5 — And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

Shine. This hope is not to be kept to ourselves.  Wherever God has placed us and the people He has put in our lives, being faithful looks like shining the light of Jesus in the dark places.  Kelsey and I don't take our place and people lightly or flippantly.  Our heart is to use our business, our products, and our platform to encourage the hearts of women who are seeking Jesus, who know Him well, and for those who don't know they need Him yet.  Shining truth through our products is a way we feel the Lord is leading us to spread encouragement of the Gospel and encourage His people.

Isaiah 60.1 — Arise, SHINE, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

...Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us.  Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us...Hebrews 12.1