Championing My Sisters

That title might sound like I'm championing a movement for declaring our rights as women. Well, yes, I am, in a sense. What I'm actually declaring is the power that God placed within us to be world changers and history makers. I am so blessed to be a leader for a beautiful group of women who have raised their hands and hearts to also be leaders who lead other women to follow in drawing closer to God. The closer we get to Him – the more like Him we become – loving, serving, giving.

It may seem I have an over-zealous desire to see my sisters become mighty warriors for God. Well, as a matter of fact, I do. I want to see us move from a state of complacency and weakness to “be strong in the Lord and the power of His might”. Ephesians 6:10. And, to be moving on up in our faith and determination to be more effective as faith-filled women in our homes, schools, workplaces and marketplaces. This world needs to see that in women -- to be dominant and ruling over the enemy of our souls who has deceived us and made us feel weak long enough.

I am one of you and if there's anything I desire to do, it's to be a role model who teaches, speaks, writes and who walks the walk and talks the talk of an empowered woman -- who is empowered by the ONE Who lives big in me. Trust me. I didn’t show up overnight with this zeal. It has grown exponentially in me – especially since the love of my life went to heaven. Right then, I knew if I yielded to my natural feelings, I would go underground to retreat from life. But, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. I knew my mission had just begun. Truly, God loves women. He calls us and equips us. It's backed by God's Word. Just look at some of the Bible's women of faith who set the pace for us.

Besides Judge Deborah, Queen Esther, Ruth and Hannah in the Old Testament, in the New Testament is Elizabeth who recognized the Mother of our Lord, Mary who gave birth to the Messiah, and Anna who spoke about the Messiah to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel. When the time of His Passion drew near, Mary of Bethany anointed the feet of Jesus, Mary, our Lord's Mother, stood at the cross of Jesus, and Mary of Magdala who spoke with the risen Jesus and told His disciples, “I have seen the Lord”.

That sure makes me wanna’ jump up and shout: “I know Him and I’ve seen Him too, Mary!” He is alive and He is on the move in women’s hearts, filling us with His power, so we can tell a hurting, angry world about a loving, life-changing God.

My beautiful and precious Sisters-in-Christ (SIC) – scripture says we are a mighty throng. “The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng” (Psalm 68:11). Indeed we are. This is where everything begins: acknowledging that God alone is our source of strength. Let us proclaim our mighty Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as our champion! Indeed we are a mighty throng!

A Value-Added Life is an Empowered Life

My daughter is the director and founder of a faith-based, non-profit organization called EMwomen (Empowering Women) that exists to embrace, educate, equip and empower women and girls who have been impacted by some of life’s greatest challenges. Many of these gals have come from lives of abuse, homelessness, addiction, abortion, and hopelessness. Now, they are transformed women as they turned those pains into blessings through the power of Jesus Christ in their lives. It is a honor to join with these precious women every week. Eleven of these gals met on Monday night, me included, and I was the honoree because it was my birthday. I was also the guest speaker. When Staci first asked me to speak on my birthday, my initial response was “No, I want to just chill on my birthday – not be thinking about speaking.” She understood. Our conversation ended. But, Holy Spirit nudged me to share, because IT IS my birthday. I quickly called her back and recanted.

I’m so happy I accepted “the call”. These precious women celebrated me by their presence AND their presents of themselves, beautiful cards, hand-written notes and precious gifts. In my talk I shared about my “empowered” life that started with a praying mother and becoming well acquainted with her value system. Those values included honesty, integrity, character and following the leading of my conscience when choosing right from wrong. She explained that our conscience is the Holy Spirit Who takes up residence in our hearts when we ask God to be the center of our lives through His Son, Jesus Christ. So, when I would head out with my friends or my boyfriend, her parting words of “Let your conscience be your guide!” stuck with me like glue. I heard her voice in my ears when I was choosing integrity, honesty, and character. Character is doing the right thing when no one is looking – and when she wasn’t looking!

What I remembered most about my mom was her unwavering faith. Faith, because her values began and ended with her relationship with God. She made it through some of the most difficult times (my dad’s debilitating illness when I was just eight years old, her being our sole provider, raising me and dad’s passing when I was fifteen). My mom’s value system passed down to me. It would equip and sustain me through plenty of tough times, but none greater than when my own husband became very ill and passed away. My Mom's abiding faith was because of her God-relationship and it is what I “preach and teach” daily through my blogs and counsel to others.

That is what I wanted most for these beautiful young women to get and embrace too. I’m purposing to live each remaining day of my life as if it is my last day. I mean it. I don’t want anything to come between me and God. I say “Forgive me a lot!” when I’ve chosen my words and actions unwisely. I ask God for forgiveness when I know I’ve messed up. I endeavor to spend each day wisely, acknowledge the Lord in prayer, spend daily time with Him, and serve Him in loving others, and in making a positive impact on our generation for Him.

As an “older woman who taught the younger women” (Titus 2:3-5) on Monday night, I am impressing upon you who are younger or older than me to live with the values of serving God with all your heart, letting the Holy Spirit be your guide – your conscience, and when you face a decision, “Do I or don’t I?” – to choose life. The abundant life – that even in the toughest times – you’ll be empowered to do the right things when no one is looking, and empowered to be the example of strong values when they are looking. I’m harvesting the blessings of living that empowered life and I assure you – it is a value-added life!