So far, 2022 has brought such enlightenment regarding what the above scriptures genuinely embody. One of the most transformative revelations was the pointing out that the writing of the vision is a command from the Lord. It is what the Lord instructed. Not only is it what He instructs, but I've learned it is also what He gives. God gives vision for our marriages, families, businesses, and ourselves via His Holy Word and in our prayer time.

"Vision that is written will inspire movement and momentum." Pastor Monty Weatherall, Love Chruch

I wanted to share my vision for my creative work and my business.

As it relates to my creative works:

This year, I see the completion of my 1st written play. I see the beginning works of presenting this play to an audience. I've literally dreamed about presenting my play on a large stage. I see the success of this play, and it is a stepping stone into areas/people/experiences that I can only imagine.

I see a continuation of writing books and expanding what that looks like this year. This year, I will release a book of comedy presented by my three youngest children. I will complete my book titled The Silence His Voice Made - this book will create a powerful platform for me to discuss the layered aftermath of childhood molestation for men.

This year, I see a continuation of growth for all of my self-published books. I see my latest book, A Star in the Day Still Shines, impacting lives. I see myself having the pleasure of reading to more schools, standing in front of more children to proclaim God fearfully and wonderfully made them....that they are loved, and more than their circumstance would have them believe. I see one of my books divinely landing into the hands of someone somewhere- that will lead me to a connection or is the connection that will change my life for good…expanding my territory.

Job 8:7 – And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be great.

I see an elevation in how I publish. While I love self-publishing and will continue to do so, I believe God is calling me to partner with a publishing company that will elevate my work, presenting it to a much larger audience.

I see prosperity in all areas of my works. What I write will prosper. What I build will prosper. What I paint will prosper. What I photograph will prosper. What I speak will prosper. What I post will prosper. All that I work in will prosper and provide the means to a blessing that will further allow us to be a blessing for others. God will show me that you can work all of your gifts and have prosperity in all facets.

1Timothy 4:15 – Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress

Vision for Business

By These Hands Designs is a small business specializing in handmade, handcrafted items of various sorts.

In June 2021, the Lord called my wife and me on a faith walk. I left my job and dedicated my time to building our small business full-time. At times, it has been a struggle to maintain faith when it seems the vision tarries. But Habakkuk explains it tarries not. In my waiting, I exhausted myself taking a route to self-produce the vision- and grew immensely frustrated because my efforts were not paying off. I had to sit and pray and ask, and when I came to myself, I understood that the vision as God gives it doesn't come with exceptions. It was the vision 'except' – and it was that 'except' that brought me to the realization that I was not operating out of faith but fear. And that fear would have me accept a vision contrary to God's vision for me, my family, and my business.

Therefore, I had to reset. Reset of approach. Reset of faith. Reset of purpose. Reset of plans. That was and has been difficult. Because reset meant starting over…and the progress, work, and exhaustion I was making toward accepting the exceptions left me frustrated and resentful at God because he would not aid me on a path He never called me to be on. I was willing to accept enough of the vision to satisfy my impatience instead of trusting God will bring the totality of the vision to fruition without modifications, without partialities, and without exceptions.

On December 31. 2021, after canceling two interviews for jobs I had sought out, I sent the below text message to my sister after wrestling with this decision. Here is the actual text I sent:

"I'm choosing to trust God... I'm choosing to believe God... I'm choosing to allow Him to do as He promised… I'm choosing to not allow doubt to deter God from blessing me. The Bible says a doubting man shouldn't expect anything from God and He cannot go against his word not even for me... So, I choose to follow Him… rebuke doubt and trust He will supply my needs according to his riches and glory. I'm not ending this year with doubt because that will hinder all that God has for me in 2022... it was not by mistake that I had two interviews today, the last day of the year... but, I choose not to openly insult the Lord - I choose to openly believe His words about me... he is a supplier of need... so I canceled both interviews because I am going into today and the new year trusting God."

I had to take a stand. I had to plant my feet deep into the foundations of faith and remind myself I'm operating in fear. On the same day, I sent this text as well:

"God has shown me that 2022 will be a year of physical manifestations of many of my asks... and I woke up knowing these interviews weren't of God... they were against Him... I didn't feel good about them... because I knew it was against the vision He gave me... I'm getting what God has in store for me... and I'm going to stop letting me get in the way of His delivery. Like FedEx leaving those messages "attempted delivery, " but you've been home all day. You were home but not prepared to receive even though you thought you were. The next time God is ready to deliver... I proclaim my readiness my openness to receive... "delivery completed and more to come!"

Why did I give this testimony? Because we all struggle, and we all have to reset sometimes. Thank God for grace and for allowing us to continue in faith when we have stumbled in doubt. 

God is so big. God is so loving. God is so kind. God is faithful to his promises and his Word; though we fail Him- he can't answer us with failure. God will withhold no good thing from me- however, He calls us to readiness. He calls us to faith and is so serious about it- that he tells us that we shouldn't expect anything from Him without it. Vision is more than words on a board- written in marker and without much thought. Proverbs 29:18 tells us where there is no vision, the people perish. The New Living Translation interprets that verse – When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.

One great thing I've learned this year is to pray for vision as well as the guidance God would give me on how to ready myself to obtain it just as He shows it.

This is my vision for business:

I see our storefront. I had since leaving my job in June 2021. There were days I felt as if the keys were already in hand. Like, it was physically manifested and waiting for me to walk in. I see where our handmade items will be positioned throughout the storefront. Our meeting and catering facility is included at our storefront, which will house a 25ft wooden handmade table and chairs. I see the parties and events that will be held. I see the pictures being taken of people enjoying their time at our facility. I see success for our shop. I see expanding that shop and am waiting for what that looks like for By These Hands Designs.

I can see and feel our hotel. Yes, our hotel. I have been in the hospitality business for more than a decade and have seen success on various levels…but what I see is us, as a family, owning and operating our hotel. This is a vision that I have had and spoken about for as long as I can remember. So much so, my young children often talk about Hotel Watson (not what it would be called).

I see our brand new bed and breakfast…built from the ground up. No more than 25 rooms- large and unique with modern-day amenities, each room with its own personality and look. I see the bathrooms, well-appointed with soaking tubs and walk-in showers. I see flower bouquets in the places of televisions. I see our large porches with stunning views of our property. I see wallpaper with beautiful cursive scripture engraved. I see our property grounds which are acres full of hills and valleys. I see and have dreamed about the two Adirondack chairs sitting upon a hill, looking off onto the fields. I see peace. I see an escape. I see relaxation. I don't want to share all the pieces of this vision- but, I am excited to see this to fruition. It will be an incredible sight…a blessing that will bless.

I see our body butter and scrubs in a major retailer. I see them sitting on the shelves. I see them being chosen and preferred.

Honestly, my vision board, 2022, is packed with two columns of vision- but when I separate the things I hope to accomplish versus what I know God has shown me, the list dwindles significantly.

"Displayed vision attracts the people God will use to help grow the vision." Pastor Monty Weatherall, Love Church

I believe that. I remember telling my wife mid 2021, that God was calling me to post our vision on our sites so the people will see and the sowers will sow.​