I can’t believe I get to write this post today. It’s going to be a long one, but I’d love it if you’d stick through it with me to know the true heart behind clothing line. This has been a dream, locked away in our hearts for quite some time, and now it’s being shared with the world. I’ve always loved being able to share important words and messages through my designs (I’ve had this shop for 6 years) and we’ve been able to work with incredible retailers, brands and people over the years. Seeing prints in homes and people sharing them online through their blog and Instagram via #ssprintshop, in magazines (i’ll never forget one of my prints being in HGTV magazine a month after opening — totally a God thing) and on TV for gift and decor segments was always a thrill. We’ve been in your homes with prints, journals, stationery and now we are launching our sub-label of clothing called For Such A Time As This. Now, the thought of someone wearing our designs, and the messages that mean so much to us makes my heart so full. I cannot wait to see you in them. I cannot wait to scroll through and like your posts. I pray these pieces serve as an encouragement and a reminder that you were created for a purpose, you are loved and to be “love” in this hurting world.

My husband Neal and I have teamed up on various projects over the years, but this may just be our most important one yet. He wanted us to bring this to life two years ago and it just wasn’t the timing. Half way through the year, we kept feeling this calling. We prayed on it and wanted to be obedient and all at once (no exaggeration), the pieces started falling into place. People and opportunities were aligned to bring this to fruition, whom we are so grateful for. Then, one night on my birthday this past August 14th, 2018 I got a message from someone who had no idea we had been on the journey to create For Such A Time As This. Only a handful of people knew we were stepping out to do this. You see the name of our sub-abel comes from the book of Esther in the bible, and it spoke to me. The message said this:

“…I thought of you today when I was reading the book of Esther. Esther had influence as Queen in her community and she used her influence to point people to Jesus. She used it to glorify God. God immediately put you on my heart. Well done good and faithful servant. Keep going – keep changing those around you pointing them to the giver of all hope and life and love…”

This message brought me to tears. Here we thought we were just working on a “little” passion project, and right when I read this it was confirmed in my heart that we are meant to be doing something bigger here. We are a small business, family run, tight knit and committed. We don’t know where God will take this, but we want to be abide to what He has placed on our hearts. Neal and I are grateful for the opportunity to put out this first collection, and love on our community. We don’t need to be the Queen or King in the story, we want to glorify THE King. We want you to know this…

You are loved and seen by a God who took on flesh to love on you, to know you, cry with you, walk with you, bless you, forgive and save you. This truth has soaked into my soul even deeper in these last few years. I’ve needed grace, forgiveness and mercy. God sees our mess, He knows we’re not perfect or the strongest, but He loves the under dog and can operate His glory through our weaknesses. He placed this on our hearts to share. Having a blog, I’ve shared clothes and different style tips through the years. The most important garment that I’ve tried to remind my readers to put on, is love. Love your neighbour. Love those that are different. Love people who don’t share the same beliefs. Love the outcasts. Love and lift up those that have less than you. Love those that have more than you. Love every single person God has placed in front of you, because that is His law. These garments are made with love, for you to wear and live unashamed.

We believe He leaves the 99 for the 1. He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords. He has grace x grace for us. He has made you, for such a time as this.

When we began to talk about the idea of a clothing line, Neal and I always said we would want a portion of the sales to go to a cause very close to our hearts. We want to pour back into the lives of people who can’t afford a brand new sweater to put on their backs so 10% of each sale will be donated to efforts in ending homelessness in our city. I have seen first hand the brokenness of homelessness. I have personal insight of knowing the hardship, judgement and struggle they battle both mentally and physically through a close family member that has experienced this. We were able to have him back in our lives by the grace of God this year (which is a long but total miracle story in and of itself). My heart has always been softened to this area of hurt in the world because I’ve heard his stories and watched his pain over the years. It’s why when I pass a homeless person I don’t ignore them or pretend to not see them, because whenever I’d see them, I’d see him. Spare change or not, giving people eye contact, a smile and having someone ask how they are is what their hearts crave (in addition to food, shelter etc.). To be seen and known and loved — it’s what we all want. We have hope in a God that restores the broken.

These words are the most convicting words I’ve ever read and brought me to action in areas of life I was way too complacent when I started following Jesus:

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40 New International Version (NIV)

We do this for the broken and we do this for His glory. I am truly thankful you even took the time to read this. Please visit our shop to be apart of our family and goal to ending homelessness in our city. We appreciate and love you.

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