“As Christians, when we go through discouragement, depression, uncertainty, doubts, unbelief or hopelessness, we’re forgetting God’s Word.
“But when we have something placed in front of us during our everyday life, whether it be a coffee mug, a tote bag or wallpaper with Scripture written on it, it helps remind us of God’s faithfulness,” said Janie Robbins, who is the owner, creator and interior designer for Walls that Breathe: Scripture Designs 4 You.
Robbins has always had a love for all things beautiful. Prayer is also a priority for her. It was one of her devotional times that led to a new venture that incorporates her love of beauty with her love of Scripture.
It started with wallpaper.
One morning in 2013 during a devotional time, Robbins was praying for the United States when she said to the Lord, “We better be surrounding ourselves with the Word.” Afterward, she went into her kitchen to get some coffee and could see in her mind’s eye Scripture on the walls.
Her hope was that if someone woke up discouraged, the first thing they would see would be God’s Word on this unique wallpaper that He was calling her to design. She could see it installed in office spaces to be a springboard to talk about Jesus and to decorate church and nursery walls with the Word of God.
She also believes it’s important for other everyday objects to include Scripture, so she designs unique T-shirts, fabric, journals, tote bags, purses and hats as part of her collection.
Committed
Though Robbins loves the creative part of this ministry, it’s not always easy. Not having the training or the skills to do the technological part, along with the learning curve of how to run a business, took its toll during her early attempts.
“When I first had the idea, I’m so right-brained that even though I do technology, I had no idea how to do Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. I was trying to do it by myself — to learn to use the technology part of it and create at the same time,” Robbins said.
Even when she got discouraged and wanted to give up, she continued to fight. First, she prayed to make sure this was what God was calling her to do.
After receiving the confirmation that she felt in her heart, Robbins made the choice to be committed. In fact, “the spiritual warfare fired my passion even more because the need was so great. If He called me to do this, He would be faithful whether it was in my timing or not.”
However, she also knew she needed help.
Robbins started looking for a graphic designer who could transfer her ideas into the technology needed to produce them. Furthermore, she knew she needed a website. Robbins was thrilled when she found someone who could do both.
“I prayed and trusted God to provide the finances for me to hire [this] graphic designer — and God did,” Robbins said.
Even with these frustrations that running a business can sometimes create, Robbins is reminded that it’s worth it when she “observes the satisfaction of how much [clients] are enjoying seeing beauty and inspiration on their walls.”
To come up with a new design, she usually starts with a verse that stands out during a devotional time. As a very visual person, the idea for the accompanying illustrations will often come straight from the Scripture, and Robbins will see a picture in her mind of what she wants to create.
‘His idea’
Robbins can still get frustrated with the noncreative aspects of running Walls that Breathe, such as marketing. Some parts of the business can’t be hired out or delegated, and she doesn’t like how long it takes to accomplish those tasks.
She would much rather use that time to create than to keep everything on the business side organized, although she knows how important it is.
“If I’m not organized, I’m working in chaos and I can’t do that. It’s having to do the necessary things in order to be effective and efficient,” she said.
Not only has this ministry been a way for Robbins to express her creativity and provide reminders of Scripture for others, but she is also reminded every day that God is faithful.
“He provides what I need and it’s on His timetable, not mine. I get caught up and wound up. I have only so many hours in the day, and so I’m learning to rest in the process.
“But when I mean ‘rest,’ it’s not just physical rest. Though that’s an element of it, it’s really resting in God’s sovereignty, resting in the fact that He’s got this, and so I don’t have to wring my hands about ‘when is this going to get done and why is it taking so long?’
“It was His idea to start with. This is definitely for the edification of others but ultimately for the glory of God and how much He wants me to enjoy — just enjoy — the process and the joy on other people’s faces, how gratifying it is. I know that it’s having an impact,” she said.
“I’ve never regretted it.”
To find out more about Walls that Breathe and the Scripture-filled products Robbins creates, go to WallsthatBreathe.com.
Share with others: