Around this time five years ago, after dreaming and designing for months, I placed an order with my printer for the very first batch of Dwell Prayer Journals. I didn’t know what in the world I was doing, and I was more than a little scared at the time, but by God’s grace, it turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever done.
If you had told me then that I would be celebrating this fifth birthday in the midst of a global pandemic while also homeschooling my children and simultaneously shipping thousands of journals all over the country, I wouldn't have believed you.
And yet, here we are.
Against all odds, Muscadine Press has experienced exponential growth this year. We've sold completely out and had to reorder journals, stationery, and verse cards on more than one occasion. We've added new products to the collection and introduced new categories. And every time I place yet another order with my printer, I think, "Surely this will be enough." But then, it turns out that I underestimated. Again.
To be honest, I'm more than a little overwhelmed by it all.
I didn't know what to expect when the world fell apart earlier this year, but after the initial shock faded, it quickly became apparent that the Lord intended to use this business to bring hope and truth to his people. As I've packed up and prayed over and shipped out countless orders over the past six months, the privilege of serving you in these hard, hard days has not been lost on me. What an honor it is to do this work!
The fact that this business has exploded doesn't mean that we're awesome and amazing. It means that people are desperate for the Lord and they're actively looking for encouragement and comfort from his Word. As far as I'm concerned, that's always a good thing. I'm just glad that God has allowed me to play a small part in meeting that need.
As the days and weeks and months of this hard year have rolled on, I've struggled just to make it through some days. I haven't always had words to say or encouragement to give. But today, I'm choosing to praise God and give thanks for his faithfulness in the midst of the storm. He is good, always, and it's good to say it out loud and say it often.
Thank you for all the love and support you've shown me over the past five years. I don't deserve any of it, but I'm so very grateful to have it. You're the reason that I do what I do. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life! It means the world. And I'm not just saying that.
🙌🏻 Leslie Ann
