We did something a bit different this past holiday season, and we’re pretty sure this needs to become an annual tradition. In the middle of all of the holiday gatherings we took 3 days and got away to the most amazing little hideaway in south central Iowa called “Honey Creek Resort.” We packed our planners, notebooks, colored pens, graph paper, inspirational reading material, our Bibles, laptops, and of course, our lounge pants and slippers. This trip had one goal, and that was to get away to a quiet place and dream and pray. This past year has been more than we could have dreamed for year #2 of Pressed. We traveled to a record amount of live shows, met some AMAZING new friends along our journey, and launched our apparel line. You guys have given us so much encouragement and your support of our little missional business has been such a blessing. We know God has been using YOU and your kind words to nudge us on.
So we thought we would take a moment to chat about the year ahead of us. What’s next for Pressed? What’s next for YOU, dreamer? Just being honest, I (Kristen) have a love/hate relationship with the new year. I can’t decide if I like the fresh start and blank canvas of the new calendar year or if it’s more overwhelming. It seems like December is crazy busy, BUT we’re on a roll and doin’ what we do. But then January rolls along and –“Whew!”–I find myself with a blank calendar that I want to fill with hopes and dreams. But where do I begin? And even more, do I have the COURAGE to begin?
And speaking of courage, let’s just grab a cup of coffee and chat for a bit. What do you think??
–OK, we’re back, with some french press coffee and cream in hand. Let’s talk about fear and dreams.
There’s a quote out there that says, “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” Uhhh– can we get an “Amen”? Doubt and fear are oh so easy to find at every turn. I suppose there are times when healthy fear exists. It keeps us from touching flames, etc. etc. But it doesn’t stop there. It creeps in at times when it’s not welcome. It runs after us when we’re about to do something that could bring about something life-changing. When I left my corporate job with no plans for what I was going to do to make a living, let me tell you I was honestly dripping in fear at any given moment. It’s definitely out of character for me to do something like that. I’m your typical first-born that knows every detail in a plan before I begin. But somehow–by the grace of God– I held on for dear life and let the ride begin. You guys know the rest of the story. That’s when Pressed was born. Fear almost kept me from beginning this chapter. But the thing about fear is that it’s not always honest and it doesn’t always tell us the truth about our situation. What IS the truth? Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye upon you.” We have certainly found this to be true .
Now here we are entering the next chapter of the Pressed story. 2018. Two and a half years later. We have no clue what will come to pass this year, but we feel called to explore some things that would require big leaps of faith. You know—the stuff that makes you sweat bullets but also look forward to waking up and tackling the day ahead. Our motto for this year happens to be a quote that inspired one of our most recent necklace designs, which is, “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”
We want to say something to all you dreamers out there. We can completely relate to the questions in your head at any given moment….the “When?”, “Where”, and “How in the world?” questions. While we are still battling those same questions ourselves, we can tell you this. When you take one small step out of your comfort zone to pursue what sets your soul on fire, God shows up. He brings people (–very rare and special people–) in your path to give you encouragement or knowledge in your blind spots. He makes important connections happen. He gives you little wins. Regardless of what happens, know that He is writing your life story, and perhaps you were created for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)
We truly believe God raises people up to do His work in this world by giving them big dreams. So–what is God asking you to do? Is it a bit uncomfortable, but it sets your soul on fire? Our challenge to you is that you pursue it in 2018. Our world needs people who have “come alive” and are living out the dreams their creator planted in their souls.
We can’t tell you quite yet what’s coming in the months ahead for Pressed. What we CAN tell you is that we’re chasing some big dreams God has laid on our hearts and we’re opening every door placed in our path.
Kristen
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
