The Women’s Fair 2019 shopping event was
wonderful last weekend and it was a great place to make new friends and get
connected with those I’ve hadn’t seen in a while.
When I set up at sales events, I
go in with the attitude that I am not just there to sell a few things. I don’t expect
instant rewards but look at the long-term results that can come from an event. Sure,
I know the business side of it, I know the costs involved, and I know how much
I need to clear. But that isn’t my focus.
My focus is on the people who are
drawn to the booth. What drew them there, what caught their attention? Why did
they feel the need to stop?
I enjoy talking to people and
finding out their stories. It gives me a chance to minister to them. I heard
some amazing stories and the ‘why’ behind some of the jewelry pieces, books, and
gifts that the shoppers were purchasing.
Most people who know me know that
butterflies are my icon, so it is of no surprise that I opened at the Women’s
Fair with some butterfly jewelry and gifts. I observed one lady walk up to the
display with butterflies and simply stop in her tracks as she just stared. I asked
her what had caught her attention and when she turned to me, her eyes were
filled with tears. She told me her story of an encounter with a butterfly in
the middle of winter while visiting her mother’s grave. It was a God thing and
it was quite moving, and I told her I would pray for her.
Another lady saw my books and she
stopped. She asked me about all the tragedies in my life that are accounted for
in my books. I shared with her in a quick litany of matter-of-facts (I get that
way sometimes, because I feel like broken record when it comes to my testimony)
not really knowing where this conversation was going to go. I looked at her and
stated that just because my books are filled with tragedies that happened
in my life, my life ended up not being a tragedy. I was an overcomer, a
survivor.
She looked at me with excitement
in her eyes and stated, “I had no idea that God was going to lead
One of my shoppers was someone from
my church that I have been friends with for years. It was a great surprise to see
her and to get to visit. She bought a couple of things after pondering over
what scripture necklace would be the best fit for her.
I later learned that after she had
arrived home, she didn’t feel that the scripture necklace was to be for her. So,
she prayed, and God gave her a name that it was to go to. She wasn’t for sure who
that was just yet but wanted to be obedient and placed the necklace in a pretty
pull string net pouch and put it in her coat pocket so that she would have it
readily available to gift to a person with the name God had given her.
She came across a person with
that name, but instantly knew that was not the right person to gift it to, so she
kept the necklace in her pocket. A day later, she came across a lady who shared
with her that her husband, who had been recently diagnosed with a rare disease,
was not expected to live but maybe two years at most. My friend decided that
the necklace was to go to her. It went to the right person, and she happened to
have the same name that God had given to my friend!
My friend later ran into this lady’s
husband at the store! The chances of that…a God thing. He was so thankful for
my friend for blessing his wife that necklace. His worries and concerns are for
his wife after he leaves this world and thought the necklace was perfect for
her.
I thanked my friend for sharing
this story with me as it so blessed my heart to hear it!
The necklace was a cross locket.
The message inside is from Philippians 4:6 “Do
not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present our requests to God”
I did well at the fair as far as
sales, but I feel like I did really well in the people building side of things.
I feel blessed and excited to see where God is taking this very small ministry/business.
No, I don’t just sell jewelry and gifts, I offer the gift of hope and
encouragement.
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