Keeping it real

Coming in to the Break the Chain store today I was hit with an incredible feeling of loss and failure.  Have you ever put your heart and soul into something to realize that maybe what you have been doing isn't working, but were to afraid to admit or accept it? This is where I am today.  I have not been completely honest.  Our sales have dropped off to record lows.  Our sponsorship's are not what they were last year, and I find myself asking why?  Every day we have people coming in asking for donations and free apparel to help support the many different school promotions, clubs, sports and individuals.  I have to admit the majority have never set foot in our store before that moment, or even know who we are, or why we do what we do.   Today I chose to educate a young man that came in to ask for a donation.  I said, “Do you know what Break the Chain is about”?  He said, no.  I said, can I tell you?  He and I had a wonderful conversation about Break the Chain, and he left with a completely different view of who we are and why we do what we do. 

The way Break the Chain is funded is through clothing sales, and sponsorship's.  If you have ever wanted to purchase some our gear, and thought oh I’ll do it later, I am asking that you do it now.   I am not giving up, but we could really use a hand up now.  This mission is everything to us, and failure is not in my DNA.   Although you cannot measure our success with dollars and cents, we unfortunately need it to keep up our day to day operations.  I guess what I am asking for is help.  If you have any questions or ideas I am more than willing to listen.  No matter what I still have Hope.  I am NOT going out of business; I am just reevaluating how we move forward. 

Our store address is 102 S Center St Ste B Sublimity, Oregon.  Hours of operation are M T W F 10:30 - 5:00 we are closed on Thursday's and weekends due to the many events we attend.  Our business phone number is 503 859-5555.  

Our website is http://www.breakthechainapparel.com

Challenge:  Is it hard for you to ask for help?  Do you feel it’s a sign of weakness or strength? 

Scripture:

Mission Impossible?

Story:  I started out on this crazy Break the Chain journey 8 years ago.  I really thought we would have had our apparel in many retail outlets, or would have become a big chain (pun intended) by now.  You see the problem is that I was, and still do on occasions try to control it.  Although my name is on the business, I do not own it.  I was called to this mission by what I like to refer to as, “The 3”, Father, Son and Spirit.  They do not follow the same rules that we do here on earth.  They don’t need money, fortune or fame.  They don’t need fancy cars, houses or vacations.  What they do need is us.  To trust them and be able to walk by faith and not by sight.  To believe in the unbelievable, and trust them even when it looks like there is no hope.   Lessons are taught to strengthen us, we fall down just to get back up and try again.  They never said it would be easy, but with strong faith and perseverance it will definitely be worth it.

I have asked myself many times, is Break the Chain what the 3 want me to do, or am I doing what I want to do.  I think it’s a little of both.  I can be hard headed, stubborn and unbending.  I can be broken, crushed and weary.   I can be triumphant, strong and focused, but what I cannot be is without the guidance of the 3. They hand picked me for this incredible mission, and it is up to me to trust they know what they are doing, and ask for direction, and trust that everything is in my best interest, and that with the 3 all things are possible.

This is my incredible mission:  Break the Chain is about becoming who you really are, not about what your W2, bank account, title at work, abuse or addiction say you are.  It’s bigger than that.  It’s about finding out who you are and what you are made of.   It’s about reaching people where they are, and helping them to step into a new life where they are no longer a victim, but are victorious.  It’s about reaching out a hand and helping someone up that no longer believes they have the strength to stand.  It’s about being the hands and feet of Christ.  No judgment, no past.  It’s about taking responsibility for our choices, and challenging others to take responsibility for there’s.    It’s not just clothing, or racing it’s a brand new way of thinking. it's an inspired movement of change, You see, we are more than our addictions or abuse, we are more than our worldly possessions, we are more than just human, we are made in the image of God, and God doesn't make junk.

Challenge: Ask yourself these questions, and feel free to share!  Have you been given your mission?   Do you try to control situations that are out of your control? What is your chain?

Scripture:

You don't know me!

Story

I went into a cosmetic store to pick up a few things.  I was dirty from working at my friend’s commercial plant nursery, and was in a hurry to get in and get out.  The woman from behind the counter gave me a, “Oh no one of those people looks.”  I looked behind me to see who she was looking at and quickly realized it was me.  I told her I needed some make up, and she showed some that was $32 a bottle, she said something to the effect that she knew it was expensive.  I gave her a dumbfounded look, really?  Just because I am not dressed to the nines and had my romeos on, and dirt on my shirt she was assuming my checking account was as poor as I appeared to be.  Granted I did look a little rough, but how many times have you judged someone by the way they look without knowing the circumstances?  I know I am guilty.  I bought the makeup and went out to the car feeling ashamed.  Why did I feel ashamed?  Because I had done that same thing to others without getting to know who they truly are, or because I let a complete stranger redefine me for a moment and made me doubt who I really am, or both.  I felt sick.  I know God was showing me myself in similar circumstances, and I didn't like it one bit.  I wanted to run right back in there and explain who I was and why I looked like I did.  Dumb.  Why did it matter what the clerk thought of me?  Why did I need her approval?  Why did I let her define me in that one moment?   Why is it easier to accept criticism than a compliment?  Why do we seek approval from others that do not truly know who we are?   God sees us from the inside out.  I think the lesson here is that we should try and do the same.

Challenge:  Ask yourself if you have been guilty of being either the clerk, or being me in this situation? Do you let others define you?  Is their perception of you truth or just an opinion? 

 

Scripture: