Apparel with a Purpose

No matter your circumstances, the Lord can turn any situation into a beautiful representation of His grace at work.

“I was an insurance agent and made six figures every year for ten years,” he shares. Married with two twin boys, the family looked like a picture of perfection. But the strain of Eric’s addictions was too much. “It feels like overnight, after separating from my wife and not being able to see my kids and a downhill spiral, I lost everything. I went completely broke with nowhere to live and a bag of clothes.”

When Eric recognized that he had a problem, he knew something had to change. But it was not that simple. “I tried a million ways but I could not break loose,” he says. He went in and out of rehabilitation facilities only to reach for the bottle as soon as he got out.

“The night before I went to that last detox facility, I heard the words, ‘One more time,’” Eric recalls. Having unwillingly attended church services as a teenager, Eric admits he did not actually know the Lord. “All I knew was selfishness,” he says. “I accused God whenever something didn’t go right.”

But this time was different. At his lowest of lows, Eric says, “God showed up that night and I chased after Him. I know now it was Him and He meant check into one more facility one more time. This time, I fully surrendered.”

On January 24, 2019, Eric checked into his last rehabilitation program. One week later, he walked out a clean and forgiven man.

Eric talks about the incredible healing the Lord provided him. “He completely removed the desire, and in three and a half years I have not had one urge to drink anything,” Eric testifies. A changed man, Eric was invigorated by his freedom from the addiction that had controlled his life for far too long.

But being free from addiction did not immediately solve all his problems. Shortly after leaving rehab, Eric says he was invited to Grace City Church where he immediately fell in love with the preaching, worship and people. “The church really got me planted in a solid foundation in Christ.”

It was not long before God started calling Eric to share his story. As he got back on his feet, he decided to use his story of healing and redemption to encourage others. “I’m not special,” he says candidly. “He changed my life, but He’ll do it for anybody.” No matter your circumstances, God sees you. He sees the hurt, the anguish, the internal struggles, and He will help you if only you will let Him.

Eric is excited to see where the Lord takes Auti Love. Already, they are planning to launch in a dozen other states shortly and will expand from there. No matter where this journey takes them, Eric will always remember how it began. “If I had to describe the journey, it’s a comeback story for the love of God and His endless grace, and how He can take what’s meant for evil and turn it for good.”

“I was an insurance agent and made six figures every year for ten years,” he shares. Married with two twin boys, the family looked like a picture of perfection. But the strain of Eric’s addictions was too much. “It feels like overnight, after separating from my wife and not being able to see my kids and a downhill spiral, I lost everything. I went completely broke with nowhere to live and a bag of clothes.”

Eric explains that addiction can come in many forms. “It doesn’t have to be drugs or alcohol; we can prioritize many things in front of Him.” Once you recognize what you are prioritizing over the Lord and determine to let it go, your life could be incredibly sweet and glorifying to the One who made it.

“The church calls me whenever they have somebody that comes to them that suffers from addiction. I work with a lot of individuals and I lead small groups at the church.” Eric also teaches weekly at The Anchorage, a men’s addiction facility. Through serving others in this way, Eric uses his experience to advance the kingdom of God.

When Eric’s twin boys, Ryke and Beck, were two years old, they were diagnosed with autism. Eric admits he did not know much about autism before the diagnosis, but he quickly learned. Through the process, Eric says that God did something incredible. “He filled my heart with a love and passion for special needs children – obviously because of mine, but really for all of them.”

It was through his daily walk with the Lord that Eric was inspired to create a meaningful business venture. He started Auti Love to support children on the autism spectrum. Complete with a brand mascot, ARBBee the T-Rex, Auti Love represents the endearing quirkiness of autism.

As Auti Love grew, Eric added Thomas Chandler and Jay Joiner as business partners. Eric and Thomas were brought together by similar struggles and had built a bond like brotherhood. The pair met weekly and conducted a bible study that they continue to this day. “Thomas was able to strengthen his relationship with Christ and he is doing phenomenal things in the community now,” Eric says proudly.

Jay has been Eric’s friend and business mentor for 12 years. While Eric was battling with addiction and away from his sons seeking help, Jay checked on the boys weekly. “He has always been a protector, a strong family man and, most importantly, a man of God,” Eric says. “At Auti Love, everyone has their own unique story and reasons for the passion they share towards children on the autistic spectrum.”

Eric and the entire Auti Love team is excited for the future of the business. “We eventually want to be printing everything ourselves,” he says. “We want to employ special needs children and get them in there, maybe a café or something where we print and produce [our product].”

He credits the business itself and every bit of its success to the Lord. “He gave me a business and I tell you, I love it. But about three months in, He stopped me and reminded me it’s a ministry. I have got to remember that.” Eric actively works to view his company as a tool that the Lord has given him to bless others thereby advancing the kingdom of God.

In using Auti Love for the Lord’s work, they donate a portion of all proceeds to those with autism while another portion of the proceeds goes to ministry. Eric is still listening to the Lord and obeying His word over his life. While it is hardly ever easy, he knows it will be rewarding and beautiful in the end. “The one thing I’ve learned over three years is…if He says move, I’ve got to move.”

Eric is excited to see where the Lord takes Auti Love. Already, they are planning to launch in a dozen other states shortly and will expand from there. No matter where this journey takes them, Eric will always remember how it began.

“If I had to describe the journey, it’s a comeback story for the love of God and His endless grace, and how He can take what’s meant for evil and turn it for good.”  ALM