The Faith in Failure

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As long as I can remember, I’ve loved to speak life into other people.

I’m a born encourager, motivator, and cheerleader.

I adore the little jolt of joy I get when complimenting a friend and I can see their eyes light up and watch their demeanor change.

We live in a world that’s hard and sometimes cruel, and it’s astounding to me what a few kind words can do to change a spirit.

My first venture as an entrepreneur started in the Fall of 2016.. and it all started with a deep desire for a pair of shoes.

Not just any shoes… leopard print wedge booties.

I’d seen a friend showing hers off and immediately needed a pair. It felt detrimental to my wellbeing at the time. After scouring local boutiques with no luck, I finally found some online, but they were marked up at a ridiculous price.

“I’m a mom who just wants to look cute on occasion, why does it cost me my first born?!?”.

I was flabbergasted.

That is until a friend and co-worker said “We should just start our own boutique”.

In all honestly, it was just a little joke… until it wasn’t.

Within a few weeks we had covered our legal bases and started our very own boutique…

Pearl Junction.

I’ve always been drawn to the story of the pearl… did you know pearls are formed by a tiny grain of sand that slips inside the oyster and causes irritation? To protect itself, the oyster starts to coat the grain of sand with a substance called nacre (also sometimes referred to as mother-of-pearl). After time, the layers of nacre build and build, forming the pearl; something beautiful from something that once caused pain.

I had one goal in mind for my business: To help women find and know the love of Christ. To help them understand that no matter what society tells them, they are made whole and perfect by the One who created the universe. I prayed for my business, and for my customers. Sure, I wanted cute clothes at wholesale… but I wanted to encourage other women most of all.

And it still failed.

Not only was it a failure, but I dug myself deeper and deeper into debt instead of just letting myself fail. I had such a tough time letting go. How could it fail when so strongly that this was my calling?

Why would God not intercede with success when I prayed so fervently? I could really dive into the specifics of my failure, but in all transparency, it came down to poor business planning. I had a dream, but no real plan or knowledge of how to run a business. My customers were plenty and loyal as they were lovely, but the failure was on my shoulders alone.

I officially closed The Pearl Junction Boutique in August of 2018. My dreams were dashed, and I had no idea what I was going to do next.

Can I be vulnerable here?

I was mad at God. I was mad at myself, sure, but I couldn’t understand how I failed at something that was so clearly put on my heart.

It took me months to understand this… My calling was never a boutique.

My calling isn’t even my newest venture, photography. It’s surely not in what is currently paying the bills (freelance content creation and marketing).

My calling is to encourage.

To be a reminder of God’s adoration in a world that’s constantly telling us we’re not good enough.

The way that message is delivered doesn’t really matter, whether it’s through a cute outfit, taking pictures that make a woman feel lovely, seeing a friend struggle in motherhood and reminding her that she’s really doing a knock-out job….

In a way it helps me remember this one truth: I am not what I do for a living, my worth is not defined by what I wear, or how much money I make, or how many followers I have on Instagram…

I am who I Am says I am.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

I am redeemed.

I am an overcomer.

I am loved and worthy of love.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14 NIV

Failing is never easy.

And unfortunately, it’s a part of life. One that often shows its blessings after a time.

So how do we fail and try again?

By knowing that God see’s us, believes in us, and that He has called us to create, to move, and to be the hands and feet.

I love how Jordan Raynor expresses this sentiment in his book, Called to Create.

“We truly have nothing to lose, for even if our ventures cause us to lose our lives, our death would be gain as we would be with Christ forever. Without this hope, failure is terrifying. But with it, you can genuinely say that whatever your lot – epic success, massive failure, or something in between – it is well with your soul.”

Jordan Raynor, “Called to Create”

And friends, in case you need to be reminded…

You are who I Am says you are.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

You are redeemed.

You are an overcomer.

You are loved and worthy of love.

I am redeemed

A Little More About Allix

Allix is a daughter of Christ, wife of one handsome Southern gentleman, a mama of 2 pretty girls, and fur-mama to 4 adorable pups!

She considers herself to be a serial entrepreneur… She blogs, supports other business owners in their marketing efforts as a virtual assistant, is a family photographer, and even once had a woman’s clothing boutique. She hopes to one day be an author and speaker, boldly proclaiming the love and pursuit of Jesus.

She was born and raised in Oklahoma, and still loves wide-open spaces and country living. You can usually find her sipping on sweet tea, chasing around her brood of children and dogs, and catching every moment she can to say “Thank you, Lord” in between.

You can connect with her here:

www.allixrene.com

www.instagram.com/allix.rene

4 thoughts on “The Faith in Failure”

  1. Sylena Robertson

    So proud of you Alix. I Loved getting to read an article from you again. It’s more than inspiring to see God turn the lives of those we love into more than they imagine. I too love to be the encourager. Life will never stop throwing bombs at us in one way shape or form. The word is clear about this. However. I know God has brought me from addiction to Children’s Pastor. I figure if He can do that with me, well then He can do it for all. I’m very passionate about My love for Him and His ability to change us and create us into exactly who we are meant to be and strongly believe His word. James 1 tells us that we should count it pure joy when we encounter trials and tribulations of any kind because He uses our trials and tribulations to produce perseverance in us. So keep persevering my sweet friend. Proud of you and my lil Cuz.

    1. She wrote such a good article, didn’t she! It sounds like God has truly brought you out of some hard stuff. God truly can change us and mold us into what he wants!

  2. Love your article. Being that life presents it’s own story, as I go and live it, I find out, it’s not enough, t I couldn’t (can’t ) control it all. Finally surrendering to our Lord God to take it from me, I’m unable to do it all. Leaving it all to him, sets me at peace, tranquility and much happiness. I may not have all I use to have in the past, but those are only earthly materials, and that’s ok, I have God in my heart.

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