A HAPPY HALF YEAR
Yippeeee! We’re celebrating half a year of Winnefred Austin this weekend – – can you believe it?! Time flies when you’re having fun, friends. Thank you for joining us on this adventure as our story unfolds a little more every day!
The Lord has been faithful in showing me a lot in these early days of Winnefred Austin. Our last post talks about my word for 2019, BETHEL, and it’s amazing how much meaning and revelation can be packed into one little word. My church in Avondale started a Bible reading plan, and I have been venturing through Genesis and Exodus. My inner writer has been mesmerized by the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In Genesis 28, the story of Jacob at Bethel resonates with me here and now – – in the midst of business dreams, last semester of college, and everything in between. I love how God speaks to us still today through His Word of old.
"What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you. Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!” The next morning Jacob got up very early. He took the stone he had rested his head against, and he set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. He named that place Bethel (which means “house of God”), although it was previously called Luz." -Genesis 28:15-19
In Genesis I see a common thread of faithfulness. God went before Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and all their generations to come. Through prosperity, through famine, through settling, through moving – – His purpose prevailed. He prepared a way through the wilderness and walked with them every step. This thread weaves into our lives too. No matter where we go, home is with the Lord. What’s more – – WE are God’s house on the move. He lives in us, going with us every step. And we have the chance to share God with others so they can be at home with Him too! Yes, He uses us to carry His home to the hearts of others.
These thoughts of home have beckoned me to ask – – How do I host God’s home in my life? I hope you’ll ask yourself this question, too. I’ve found how vital this question is both as a business owner and college gal with life moving in every direction. Digging into this question starts from the inside out, and God has turned my life gloriously upside down to show me how BIG His love really is – – how near He is even when I walk through the wilderness.
Hosting God’s home in my heart not only means looking inside and taking care of myself, but continually inviting others inside too. My closest people mean the world to me – – you know who you are. Through coffee dates, late night talks, or a simple text message, they remind me what it is to foster God’s home on the move. You remind me too. I am continually amazed at all the people brought in Winnefred Austin’s path. You’re here for a purpose, I believe it!
I’m excited to see the next half year of Winnefred Austin unfold – – after college graduation and (finally) pursuing my owner/artist gal/bag lady job full time – – hallelujah!! SO MANY more things are coming for this business o’ mine. Tag along, it’s going to be fun!