Check Your Table

Sometimes, you must leave the church and step up to another table to receive what God has for you.  I launched my business in August 2024 at a 2-day women’s conference.  All the products I designed were faith-based.  It was a good experience, and the launch went well.  

I signed up to be a vendor at more church events but had my eye on a flea market. I wanted to try the flea market, but I wrestled with where I was supposed to be.  So, the flea market went on my list of dreams.   

The church events were okay.  Nothing fabulous except for one that surprised me at how kind and generous the people were.  Other than that, I noticed the church people weren’t interested in faith-based products.  Well, not mine anyway.  Not really.   I spent the winter season seeking God about how to proceed when markets started back again in 2025.  I could no longer justify spending money on a space to sell products at church events where the church was buying offensive products and licensed merchandise (which is illegal to sell due to copyright).  I wrestled with how we, as the church, represent Jesus in the world.   

As I wrestled, God began to deal with me.  I was walking in judgment.  Truthfully, I’m still working through this area.  But I asked God why.  Why call me to create a business where very few buy the products?   What I discovered was powerful and has led me to expand my products to where every item is not Scripture.  Kole Press LLC is still a faith-based business, but the reach isn’t the church.  It’s for other tables.  It’s for those places the church doesn’t want to go.  It’s also for those who don’t want to go to church because church hurt is real.   

The first event I signed up to be a vendor in 2025 was a Paws for Pride event in my local area that will occur in May.  I’m excited to have the opportunity to be a part of it.  But the first event I took part in in 2025 happened in March.  My dream of setting up as a vendor at the flea market came true.  And it was the most wonderful day!  The winds were a bit much at times, but I had the best day!  I met many people and sold products that I’ve waited to see sold since God gave them to me in a dream in 2024.  Products clearly expressing faith sold, along with products not currently on my website.  And it felt good.  Not only that, but God used two customers to bless me with tips on top of the asking price!  My products didn’t sell out, but I felt at peace.  I had fun.  I enjoyed every moment.  People came up and talked with me.  The atmosphere was different than other events.  And I’m returning.  

In 2024, I felt terrible about not being like the people I saw in the churches.  I felt like I was lacking somehow.  But now I’m okay learning who I am and who I’m not. 

Some people have said you should build your table.  That doesn’t work for me because, truth be told, I don’t see people lining up to join my table.  Hopefully, one day, they'll want to sit at my table.  Until then, I’m excited for opportunities to sit at other tables and be in the places God sends me, whether in a church or not.   

There’s a sense of freedom in not chasing after the approval of others.  There’s freedom in going where God sends you.  There’s freedom in being who God created you to be and not a clone of those around you.  If you’re waiting on God and aren’t seeing movement, I encourage you to check the table you’re seated at.  Is that the table God wants you at, or is He calling you out?