Fashion with Compassion: Gracewear Collection

This month's series of Fashion With Compassion, we are introducing our sweet friends Wendy Strong Lupas and Mary Strong of  Gracewear Collection.

Gracewear Collection is a beautiful and stylish line of inspirational jewerly and accessories that is both purposeful and powerful! The signature Shield of Faith design was founded by two 'real life sisters' on a mission to create a Christian lifestyle brand with an impactful mission and message.

Both sisters continue to experience the amazing testimony of God's Grace daily- and want to share the Power of the Shield with others through Gracewear. The Shield of Faith Collection is based on Ephesians 6; 10-18 and represents spiritually dressing in the Armor of God daily for all the battles that come our way. The Collection inspires to celebrate the love and faithfulness of Christ and the importance of being covered in God's protection, mercy, and grace. —GWC

The Gracewear Collection Story:

"My sister, Mary and I were inspired to start a business with purpose that gives back to those in need. The mission was a result of a very trying time in both of our lives- and had it not been for God’s Amazing Grace- we would not have endured. Mary and I felt called to share with women about the unconditional LOVE and Mercy of Christ… and GRACEwear seemed to be the perfect name. We started in lots of different directions- including a clothing and accessory line… however, the Lord continued to open and then SLAM close doors, until we developed the SHIELD OF FAITH jewelry line.

The signature Shield of Faith design of Gracewear happened completely by default- so we have NO doubt that it was a divine intervention! The beautiful symbol appeared to be a SHIELD- and we were immediately drawn to the Ephesians scripture 6: 10-18 about putting on the FULL ARMOR of GOD for His mighty protection from darkness in this world. The design that God gifted us for Gracewear allows the wearer to go thru the entire Ephesians Scripture to spiritually dress in HIS armor. This was truly a ‘God thing”- we could have never come up with this on our own!

One of the most wonderful aspects of wearing our Shield of Faith jewelry line is that women are able to WEAR and SHARE the message and meaning with others. Gracewear becomes an intentional reminder and/or witnessing tool for the wearer and a blessing to those that hear the message.

Gracewear is truly a family affair… my business partner is my sister, Mary- and at almost any day- one of our six children (or staff’s children) are found helping with anything from design ideas, helping customers in our retail shop, cutting ribbon for packaging, counting inventory… you name it- we all wear many hats to keep the ball rolling!

“Trust in the Lord God with all your heart, soul , and mind… and do not lean on your own understanding” is a scripture that keeps us going. Another is Jeremiah 29:11-“ For I know the plans I have for you….plans to prosper, not to harm, plans to give you a hope and a future.” WE live it, claim it…breathe/ eat/sleep/rest in it!! Our faith has had to strengthen- or we would not be here. We press through so many challenges knowing that God does have a mighty plan for our mission. It is not easy- and some days… just out right HARD- but the hard parts are usually just the BUSINESS of the BUSINESS (yuck!) Fortunately the true JOY and PURPOSE we experience is so worth it. When we hear how Gracewear blesses others – how it gives them a sense of peace during tough times- how beautiful and meaningful the Collection is… then, we know that we are doing HIS will- and that HE will be with us through it all. WE TRUST, WE PRAY… and we are so grateful that God has chosen us to be HIS hands and feet in this mission. Many days we say that HE has chosen the wrong girls- because somedays….we mess it up every other second- but then again- that is why it is called GRACEWEAR- and we know we have a chance to hopefully get it right the next time!"

The Compassion Part:

"The Shield of Faith Brand is expanding and we look forward to how God can use our Christian lifestyle brand for HIS glory. Our mission is to develop products with purpose that GIVE BACK to those in need.

We work with many local, national, and international ministries- however the epidemic of Homeless Teenagers and Human Trafficking are very dear to our hearts. We developed a Shield of Hope Collection and are presently working on a program to donate a portion of sales to PUREHOPE ministries – who rescue and restore victims of Human Trafficking. We also are launching a new line of Accessories called “BE SHIELDED” tag line: ‘It’s a Battle Out There!” and are going to partner with Covenant House ministries- whose mission is to rescue homeless teens and give them a safe haven and place to start over.

Gracewear recently launched a fundraising division called ‘Gracewear Gives Back’ that partners with non-profits, schools, and individual affiliates. We donate a portion of sales to their missions as well."

The Fashion Part:

"The Signature Shield of Faith design is both stylish, fashionable- yet powerful and purposeful. Wearing Gracewear is a wonderful reminder to the wearer to put on her Armor Daily and a GREAT witnessing tool to share with others. GW is wonderful to WEAR and SHARE.

My favorite of all time piece is our Cuff Bracelet- the Cuff is a stunning signature item.- However, I can not live with out my Linked Medallion Hoop Earrings… and the new leather Cuff… and the bangle bracelet- and… (sooo many) We design to layer- so one piece is NEVER enough."

How can our readers connect with Gracewear Collection and where can they go to shop?:

Gracewear is available in over 400 retail stores all over the United States and online at www.gracewearcollection.com. We are on Facebook at GraceWear, Twitter @gracewear, Instagram: Gracewear Collection, and Pinterest, "Gracewear Collection."

How to Know You Are On the Right Road God Wants You to Travel

“This road God, really?” 

I have woken up many nights to this thought rolling around my mind. This was not the road that I had expected to take, but never the less it is the road God is taking me down. As a mighty believer in God I still have many moments where I question why and what God is doing. I try to barter or manipulate His plan so that it looks more like what I want it to look like, and that is where it can become dangerous. I came across an analogy recently that really illustrated what I believe God does with us.

Before you can take a horse out of a burning building, you need to cover the horse’s eyes and then lead him out.  Many times God does not explain what is happening to us in the moment or where He is leading us, but we trust Him and know He has our ultimate good in mind. If you were not to blindfold the horse before leading it out of the burning building, it would get scared, not move, and most likely burn with the building.  This can certainly apply to us. If we were able to see everything that God was doing, it would most likely scare and paralyze us and leave us with far more questions as a result.

I watch my five year old daughter continually test the boundaries with me and there are many times where her not listening to my instruction could lead to her harm.  She is still so young and does not fully understand the implications of what not listening, and instead doing what she wants to can create.

So that raises the question, "How do I know I am on the right road that God wants me to travel?"

• Opposition. Many of us have been taught that when opposition comes against us in life, it means we are doing something wrong and are on the wrong path.  This could not be further from the truth. Shannon L. Alder quoted, “You will face your greatest opposition when you are closest to your biggest miracle." Opposition comes because it knows you are on the right path and wants to deter you.  You would be invisible to most opposition walking on the wrong path because it knows that path is leading to nowhere.

• Remain prayerful. “Pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5 NLT) The Bible makes it very clear that we are to pray and keep praying. Prayer is not a one-time thing.  Prayer is a physical practice of faith. Prayer is a weapon, a lamp and medicine.

• You are being obedient to His promptings.  Listen to that still small voice. We tend to look for huge signs and grand gestures when we are trying to figure out if we are going down the right path.  However, God is usually heard in a continual whisper inside us. Why? Because it forces us to listen for His voice, not ours or someone else’s. It forces us to cut out all other distractions and quiet ourselves before God.

• God's path is far different than the world's.  The world will tell you that you should always find a shortcut.  The world will tell you that if the road you are on is not paved with glitter and gold then you are on the wrong path. God made it clear that His road is not fancy, just a little gateway entry and a narrow road to travel on. If you are not looking for this road, you will surely miss it.  But this narrow road leads to life, so we need to take it no matter what.   

"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."(Matthew 7:14 NIV)

Perhaps you have been walking down a road that you never would have chosen for yourself. Maybe on this road you have lost those closest to you, become sick, lost a job or maybe even everything. Even the best path can have thorns, twists, turns, valleys, and hills. There will be days of fog on your path  It does not matter if you are the best planner in the world, because even the best planning does not necessarily keep us from having to go down a different path. Remember these key things: God is always in control and is sovereign. God loves you no matter what and has your ultimate good in mind, always. Stay the course and know it will be worth it. 

About the Author :

Leilani is a single mom to a beautiful 4 year old little girl. She is in love with the Creator of the stars. Her mission is simple yet so big, to encourage and bring Jesus to all in need. To bring hope by loving people, writing, photography, music, poetry/spoken word and meeting people right where they are. God's Grace is her air.