Hey y’all! Christie here! :) Today is a very special day because we are 6 years old! ESS was first launched on Kickstarter on July 28, 2017. I like to think of us as first graders. I’m sitting in a coffee shop this morning and I can’t quite believe we’ve been doing this for so long!! So many things have changed, so many seasons of life that we’ve moved through - but God has stayed ever the same, ever good, ever present. As I get older and older (ha!), I am continually reminded of just how wide God’s mercy is and how very deeply I need it. Kassie wrote a beautiful blog post last year detailing the whole timeline of how we started out as roommates and eventually published ESS. I get so emotional whenever I read it!
Me on the left in the pic and Kassie on the right holding our full library! Kassie is the “left-brain” of ESS (production and operations) and I’m our “right-brain” (artwork and creative direction).
Sometimes people say life is short, but I actually think life is quite long in some ways. Adulthood can feel like a bit of a marathon and a test of stamina. We are daily faced with our weaknesses and limitations, with the opportunity to love or be selfish. It continually reminds me how I just cannot do this on my own. All of this makes me reflect further on our mission here at ESS - which is just simply to invite others to spend time with God and to develop a relationship with Love Himself.
I thought I would do something a little different today and share some reflections from what I’ve learned throughout this process. Rather than lessons, I’m just labeling them as “thoughts” since sometimes I feel like there are so much advice sent our way on the internet! These range from spiritual to practical, and are in no particular order!
Here are 6 thoughts from the last 6 years:
Better together - Where would I be without Kassie Manning??!! My friend, sister, co-founder, biggest cheerleader. Kassie is seriously the best hype woman. Having her in your corner is truly the biggest gift, and I am so grateful for her. I have learned so much through working with her over the years. She’s brilliant, funny, and fiercely loyal. Friendship & community has become more precious to me over the years and a faithful friend is truly a “treasure”. Love you Kass!
Be a forever student - Being willing to learn and close in gaps where we do not know how to do things has been such a valuable mindset for us! People always ask us what’s the best way to publish a book or how to set up a business - and the simple answer is we researched it as best as we could, prayed on it, and then put a plan into action! We constantly reevaluate our decisions to see what works and what doesn’t. Making decisions can feel so overwhelming (especially as a very indecisive person myself) and rather than getting paralyzed over making the wrong move we’ve learned that we cannot possibly anticipate every problem. Rather, you do the best with the information you currently have and adjust as needed. Forever learning!
Pray always - The most simple & obvious lesson yet I continually have to relearn it. My personal mantra over the years has been to “just show up”. Whether I am tired, happy, defeated, busy, I need to be showing up to prayer and going inward. This spiritual rigor and discipline has added so much to my world and revealed the Father’s love and hand within my life over and over. My prayer does not have to be perfect, and it really never is, but no matter what I will spend time with my Father. This is especially relevant if you are in a place of your life where you can dedicate ample time to prayer. If you are able, start with 30 minutes and build up to an hour. God will do magnificent things with this time. Don’t know where to start? Read the daily readings (slowly) and then sit in silence. He will meet you there!
Beauty is the remedy - There were times in my life when I felt like many of my skills were quite “soft” and did not contribute to the world in meaningful ways. I cannot diagnose & treat the sick as a medical professional, I don’t develop structures & systems that connect people, I am not creating policies that fight for social justice & advocate for those in need... I wasn’t sure how being an artist fit in to the greater plan. Over time I’ve learned just how important it is to have beautiful and meaningful things to fill our homes and lives with and it can be an agent of healing. We need beauty, mystery, and wonder. Furthermore, contemplating beauty allows us to encounter truth & goodness in one of the purest earthly forms. It calls us to higher places and remind us there is something more in this life.
Don’t make decisions while in desolation - Life ebbs and flows and contains seasons that will truly challenge you and even bring you to your knees. I’ve learned that it is wise to identify when I am in desolation and be careful in making decisions or questioning important things during this time. Cultivating a discerning heart has allowed me to listen to God and trust when the answer is not clear to me.
God does not call the equipped - I have a newfound solidarity with many of the apostles over the years in just how often I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing! I can only imagine that those close to Jesus felt a similar way in those early years. It must have been dizzying and overwhelming at times, yet God led them in and gave them courage, wisdom, and answers as needed! We are an art teacher & scientist now running a business and making books - not exactly an obvious path! But God has been so present each step and I am so glad that He is writing the story rather than me.
Cheers to year 6 and so excited for many more! In a lot of ways I feel like we are just getting started, and I am so grateful to be along for this ride. God bless you friends!
Christie Peters is co-founder of Every Sacred Sunday as well as an artist and educator. Her favorite things include her pup named Peaches, Ignatian spirituality, and a good soup. Come say hi on Instagram!