Last summer, as we watched riots and social media backlash, my phone was abuzz with people saying, “I’m sorry,” and “What can I do?” As an African American woman, I feel a sense of pressure and expectation (perhaps self-imposed) to share about my experience in order for others to learn from me. It seems many are looking to me for pearls of wisdom and insight that (supposedly) only I can share. But I have nothing to say that has not been said before. After all, there is nothing new under the sun.

When people look at me, they may see my skin color and make various assumptions about my life experiences. But my greatest desire is not that people understand me as an African American woman. My ethnicity is only part of who I am. My deepest hope is that when people look at me, they see the presence of Jesus. A hope that is undeterred and unshakable. A love that is unconditional and unwavering. A faith that is deeply rooted.

The loneliness I feel at this juncture is not unlike the other lonely times I have walked through. For just as I have in the past, I bring this loneliness to my Father, who binds my wounds and heals my hurts. I need not explain myself to him because he knows my every thought. And he is worth the loneliness because his presence is a balm to my weary soul.

So in the midst of a world that has chosen sides and has made a practice of isolating (read: canceling) those who don’t fall in line, I welcome the loneliness if it brings a closer intimacy with the One who made me, for I know that I am never alone and always held in his loving arms.

Read More

“Because I was so desperate for relief from the physical, emotional, and spiritual pain I was experiencing, I latched on to a number of teachings that were not biblically sound. It started off small enough: I began following some new accounts on Instagram. Then I began to follow accounts they recommended, and so on. There were so many ‘new ideas’ I was learning, and I thought I was being enlightened. I entered into a world of unbiblical teaching that, unbeknownst to me at the time, is rooted in the prosperity gospel and New Age philosophies.

Praise God for his unfailing love and compassion to those who love and fear him (Romans 7:25). I now know that I was filtering my theology through my experiences instead of filtering my experiences through my theology. The Holy Spirit showed me that my feelings and experiences will change with each passing day. But the Word of the Lord stands forever, and the character of God is unchanging through the ages (Isaiah 40:8; Hebrews 13:8).

The God of the Bible is just, wise, kind, compassionate, and faithful. And as the vine dresser in the garden prunes back the branch to bear more fruit, so the Lord prunes us in order that we may truly know him and bring glory to his name as we fulfill the Great Commission (John 15:1–2). This pruning often involves suffering, and it is not a punishment, but rather a demonstration of his great love. How grateful I am to now know the true love of my Heavenly Father, who never changes.”

Read More

But what if God has called you to where you are for such a time as this? What if He has created you and placed you in your season to love the people within your sphere of influence? What if He has a purpose for your waiting and your longing? We aren’t made to be the best at everything, nor were we made to have Pinterest-worthy homes and pristine lives. We were made to love…

Read More

I don’t know about you, friends, but I often want to know the answers to all of my questions before I obey. But that is rarely, if ever, the way God works. He provides just enough light for each step of the way…

Read More

I don’t know about you, but when I read the Bible, I often see myself in the Israelites. I am quick to want a dramatic rescue from my circumstances. It is difficult for me to be uncomfortable or feel as though I have no sense of control.…

Read More

May I tell you something? Sometimes, the state of my heart is a wreck. In my shame, I want nothing more than to hide. I cannot believe that God would love me even at my lowest. I wonder when I write, ‘What would other people think about me if they found this journal after my death?!’ But we can come to God with our whole selves. We do not have to hide from Him (or from anyone else, for that matter).

Read More

Halloween. It’s like a four-letter word in some Christian circles. Yes, there are some pagan roots that do not line up with the Bible. There are practices this time of year that are downright demonic. But when most people mention that they enjoy celebrating Halloween, they aren’t talking about their love of séances and Ouija boards. They are talking instead about dressing up in silly costumes, carving pumpkins, eating lots of candy, and spending time with neighbors and friends.

Read More

Here is what I know: I am a Black woman, married to a white man, mother of a biracial son and a Hispanic daughter. I have friends with varied skin tones. But the most important part of me is Jesus. He leads me and calls me His own. So if I have a problem, a hurt, or a fear, I take it to Him. When I am burdened by the violence and hate and brutality, I bring it to Him. When I am afraid for my children, He soothes my worries and my pain.

Read More