Dawn--A Precious Gem

Dawn Cox

Dawn and her beloved David and their four children.

She was my extroverted and animated college roommate. The only one I ever really loved. She was most certainly the only one I ever respected and considered emulating.

God used Dawn to teach me an invaluable lesson. One I am still implementing today. Through her God taught me about faith.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NAS

Dawn’s faith was and is a remarkable thing. During college I didn’t know anyone (other than my youth ministers and a few others) with a faith like hers—the kind of faith that permeated one’s life. Faith that was woven into their very identity. For Dawn Christianity was life rather than a lifestyle. Until that point in my own history I thought Christianity was a part of your life; I didn’t understand Jesus called us to make it our life.

But Dawn did.

I didn’t understand this until years later when God had matured me a little (I tend to be resistant at times holding on to childish things), when I had encountered a bit of suffering.

Dawn taught me that following Jesus was more than proclaiming to be a Christian, more than going to Bible college and more than going to church.

Dawn’s faith was tangible. I witnessed strong faith in my youth leaders, in the minsters in my home church and in some of my professors, but in Dawn I saw a remarkable faith in an ordinary, everyday young woman. That doesn’t sound like a compliment, but I certainly mean it as such.

In my neck of the woods radical faith was for ministers and missionaries. Anyone who included Jesus in their everyday talk and dealings was fanatical. Jesus had his place, but you didn’t allow religion to alter your common sense.

Dawn prayed with faith about every little thing. She prayed about things I never considered presenting the Lord. Dawn prayed with an assurance I didn’t understand—she prayed as if things were already done and she was just having to wait on them.

This blew my mind.

Dawn taught me that radical faith really is just normal fare in the kingdom.

One of my most favorite memories of Dawn was her ministry of sending care packages. She would hear about someone having a hard time or someone would just be on her heart and she would pack up a goodie box—filled to overflowing with the useful, the beneficial and the fun, and it would be mailed.

She was and is an incredible encourager.

I learned from Dawn. I wish I had learned from her sooner.

I wish I had told her sooner how much I learned from her example.

We haven’t seen each other in years. Not face to face.

Yet she still teaches me. We correspond through Facebook—brief tidbits. Inevitably we will have a message volleying between us and she will comment about something going on in her life and the Spirit will say to me, Latch on to this, Tamera. Pay attention. Do you see her faith?

As you will read, her faith was tested. She had to wait a while, a long while, for some things she asked for repeatedly. She struggled. She battled. But her faith was honed and polished like a precious gem—Peter says that this gem is of greater worth than gold.

I ask you to pass Dawn’s message forward to women, especially young women. Her message is filled with hope. For those who are asking God for great things, but have yet to see his answers Dawn is living proof that God gives good things, especially himself, to those who will wait.

Please pass her story along.  

When asked to describe her family Dawn says, “We are a family of six. We say I love you often and I’m sorry, please forgive me as needed. Some would call us late bloomers having our four children in our thirties, yet we know all was in God’s perfect timing.”

Dawn and her husband, David, have been married 21 years and have one daughter and three sons. David has been the Associate Pastor with his home church for twenty-four years. Dawn has been a stay-at-home mom who cares for children in her home to make ends meet.

1.      What is your most comforting and most challenging Scriptures?

Comforting Scripture: The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank him. Psalm 28:7 (Dawn has a beautiful, beautiful voice)

Challenging Scripture: Sow with a view of righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness, break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until he comes to rain righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 (Needless to say I will probably be spending some time with this verse—break up your fallow ground? Ouch.)

2.      What books, other than Scripture, have had a profound influence in your faith walk?

Believing God by Beth Moore. Dawn said she read this years ago and is now rereading because of Beth’s recent free downloads)

Our Covenant God by Kay Arthur. (Also another one Dawn is rereading.)

3.      If you could tell or give your 21 year old self advice or encouragement, what would you tell her? (This is a long entry, but so worth every moment it takes to read it.)

I have to give a little background. I was a bridesmaid six times before I was a bride! I yearned to be a godly wife and mother, yet feared many times that it would not happen for me. I wanted a man fully committed to God, with a sense of humor and love for kids. At times I waited patiently, and at other times with many tears and cries to God (He is more than big enough to handle that!) 

Between my sophomore and junior years of college I interned with a small children’s home for the summer. This home was in southwestern Indiana. While there we visited the First Christian Church in Sullivan, Indiana (Tamera says, pay close attention). We went to present our work to this church who had supported the children’s home for years. After the service there was a pie night and a handsome, young man came up to me. My first thought was that he was really cute, but I will probably never see him again. Little did I know…

We were both in Bible college in different states. We had NO contact during the next two years. We both graduated and ended up working in the same church in another country 2500 miles away from where we met. Needless to say we were surprised we crossed paths again (Tamera wasn’t surprised. God certainly wasn’t). We served together that summer and became best friends. By the end of the summer I was well on my way to being in love—my beloved had not made that discovery yet. We both returned stateside to raise support so we could return to Canada and serve again.  

We ended up at the same church, six hours south of the first one! After 14 months of serving together we then spent a year apart. There was no doubt in my heart and mind that he was who I wanted. I went to Vancouver to help with a church plant and he went home to Indiana and was hired by his home church. During that time away from each other he missed me. Yes! Seven years after meeting him, I walked down the aisle of our very meeting place (First Christian Church in Sullivan, Indiana) to become his wife (I, Tamera, was a bridesmaid in this wedding!). 

Was it my timing? Not even close. The timing was God’s and therefore perfect. The name David means beloved, and my beloved was worth the wait. I’m still crazy about him. The Lord has blessed us beyond what I could have dreamed (and I had a few dreams). I love life and doing ministry with this incredible man—who is a gift.  

My message to my 21 year old self? Keep trusting the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own limited understanding!  

4.      What are your two strongest spiritual gifts?

Hospitality and giving.

5.      How is God using these gifts through you?

Our home is open to kids and adults alike. For a meal. A place to stay (three days or three months) or just for fellowship. The gift of giving for me is more of a time and energy investment, although I do try to share in a material way when possible.

6.      What would you like to say, what bit of encouragement would you give, to the readers here at seventypalms?

I have spent way too much time and energy feeling like I wasn’t good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, thin enough, spiritual enough, talented enough etc. etc. I would say to you, You are enough. God loves you deeply and will use your unique life experiences, gifts and talents for His glory when you surrender them to Him.

 

 

 

 

Denise—A Mighty Tree

She is a tiny little thing. Little hands and feet. Pixie haircut. Precious heart-shaped face. So very petite. Beautiful voice.

Denise Bryant may be tiny in stature, but spiritually she’s a giantess—she towers like a mighty tree planted beside the waters. Denise would be the first to say she is a crooked tree. A bent tree. Yes, she is a bent tree (aren’t we all?). But trees, who want to grow, bend toward the light and the water.

Denise bends toward the light and the water. Daily.

Denise and I have had seasons of close friendship, but in recent months God has called us to something new and wonderful. He called us to be prayer warriors for each other. There are mornings her prayers come to me via text and I sit in the dark and weep; it is so obvious the Holy Spirit has been speaking to her, stirring her spirit for me. I just reread her New Year’s prayer for me. Not generic God Bless Her prayers. Specific. Detailed prayers. For me. And I am humbled.

God positioned Denise in the midst of an adventure she didn’t quite expect. Certainly she didn’t plan it. Denise is the lecturer/leader of our local Community Bible Study. CBS. Almost two hundred women and children attend on Friday mornings. They truly study God’s word. But the word community is particularly important. This is not the study of just one church’s women’s group. This is a truly a community study with over forty churches represented. Unity in the Body of Christ is happening under Denise’s leadership. Unity among women. And we know, don’t we, that unity among women is a God-thing.  

This is among the many reasons God made this tiny woman a tall tree. Leaders must be tall trees; their tops reaching the canopy. But this lends them to catch a great deal of wind. God is faithful and he is reinforcing Denise to have a flexible and tensile strength in the midst of these high winds. 

Glory to Him!

For thirty-one years she has been married to a great man named John. She has two adult children, Jonathan and Anna (I love them both!). And a great daughter-in-law, Crystal. She and I often commiserate about the challenges of mothering adult children.

Denise’s interview could have gone on for pages and pages. But here’s her answers to the Pomegranate questions.

1.   What is your most comforting and challenging scriptures passages in this season of your life?  

Most comforting scripture - Ps 138:8

The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Most challenging - the passages in Hebrews concerning apostasy (CBS is studying the book of Hebrews this year.)

2.   What are two books that have made great impact on your life?

Brennan Manning - RuthlessTrust and Abba's Child
Ann Voskamp- One Thousand Gifts 

3.   What are your two strongest gifts?  

Teaching—in addition to CBS, Denise also teaches a Sunday School class in her church. 

Encouragement—(I have been the recipient of this gift too many times to count. One of the ways you can pinpoint a gifting God has given you is if the Body affirms this gift. I see fruit of these gifts in Denise’s life on a regular basis.) 

4.   If you could have a conversation with your 21 year old self what would you advise her? What would you tell her?  

Be happy with who you are and to forget about trying to get it all right because it is not possible. (Emphasis Tamera’s. Do you notice the pattern emerging in each woman’s advice to her younger self?)  Enjoy the ride instead of focusing on the end result. Be comfortable with who you are not what you do. The sooner you can understand that you can't be perfect and keep everyone happy the better life will be.

5.   If you could share any encouragement with the Body who is reading here today what would it be?  

Embrace the Shepherd and enjoy the journey whether it is in the valley or on the mountain top. I am still working on this one.



Amy: Strong, Rich Tea

Amy and Steven--her youngest son.

Dave and Amy's children.

 

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.”

Ms. Eleanor’s simile has always caught and held my attention. I am not a tea connoisseur, but I do understand that it is the heat of the water and the length of the time the tea bag or ball remains there which produces the aroma and flavor of the tea.

Hot water and time.

Amy has had her fair share of being immersed in hot water. Cup after cup.

And yet.

Amy is married to our shepherd; she is the glove to Dave’s hand. She is a strong personality and gets told this a great deal—her steel gift of administration often gets noticed or mentioned.

But it’s several other gifts that God has given Amy that I want people to know. To see.

1.      Amy’s incredible insight into God’s word, God’s people and God’s plan floors me.

2.      Amy’s assessment of a situation. Spot-on.

      3.      Amy’s ability to see through the fog. She identifies problems at their source.

4.      Amy’s tenacity for the welfare of her children. She is their advocate and defender.

      5.      Amy’s strong, simple love for her husband. She is a true help-meet.    

6.      Amy’s stalwart, real faith in the Father. Even in hot water.

Amy and Dave have adopted six children. They have one more foster child who is due to become a member of their family in 2014. In 2006 Amy lived through every parent’s worst nightmare—she lost one of her children to a long term illness.

These interviews tend to be long because I just can’t leave anything out of the women’s answers. There’s way too much insight and wisdom. Please, please read. God will reveal incredible things to you through these women’s words.

1.      Tell me about your family.

Dave is a minister; and I am a homeschooling mom who gets to teach a small group of children four days a week.  I love that God has always given me a flexible and interesting schedule as a mom. 

Most of our children have some type of special need.  Isaac was our sickest child. He never walked or talked.  Everything he attempted was a struggle for him, but he was one of the happiest and sweetest children I’ve ever known. Wyatt (this is a link to an incredible video about Wyatt) was our first foster child.  He was shaken at three weeks old, and suffered from severe brain trauma, as well as broken bones.  It took him almost a year to fully recover, but the lasting damage is not as severe as it could have been.  He has hand tremors and weakness in his arms and is currently experiencing some difficulties in kindergarten.  He also has avascular necrosis in both hips, which may or may not have been caused by shaken baby syndrome.  He’s one of the strongest children I know.  Haley has an attachment disorder resulting from her experiences with her birth family.  She finds it hard to trust others or find security in our home because she did not experience trust or security in her first years.  She’s strong and independent, and is working through those issues day by day.  Steven has a learning disability, sensory integration disorder and ADHD.  While he struggles with academic learning because of a low IQ, he also finds it hard to function in social situations because of his sensory disorder.  Finally, our 12 year old was, Sophie, was just diagnosed with epilepsy.  Through it all, God has been faithful and never left our side (emphasis Tamera’s. Please reread that last sentence. Through it all…God didn’t pull Amy out of it. But he was with her THROUGH IT.)

2.      What is your most comforting and most challenging verse?

Jeremiah 29:11-13.  Always has been, and I feel always will be, I know it is over quoted.  You find it on plaques in every Christian bookstore.  But it’s also written on my heart, and it’s one that God poured out on me during those early years of marriage and struggling with churches, family and having babies.  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future.” 

Matthew 10:34-35. In the season my most challenging verse. I know God is love, and I try to live my life treating others with the love I think God bestows upon us.  But I also know when the truth is spoken, it stirs something up.  People become divided, outraged, and downright nasty.  (Emphasis Tamera’s). Then the verse “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household” comes to life.  I wish we as Christians were showing more love, not division. 

3.      What two books have impacted your life?

The Shack by William Paul Young.  This book gave me insight into the Trinity like no other book I have other read.  The impact on me has been huge. 

Idol Lies by Dee Brestin.  This book was a life-changer.  It showed me what I harbor in my heart and how I choose other things to fulfill me instead of turning to my Jesus for those things. 

4.      What are your spiritual gifts and how is God using you in his kingdom?

My two strongest God-given gifts are administration and teaching.  These two gifts are where I feel comfortable and it’s where I know God uses me. I’ve always flourished in positions where I could use my administrative skills.  Leading others has always been an area where God has used me. 

In this season of my life, I am a homeschool teacher to 15 children (two are my own).  I love this environment and I’ve learned a lot about education doing school this way.  I also teach preschool and elementary at church, although I’m trying to be more of a “director” in the children’s ministry rather than a teacher.  It’s a work in progress.  I handle the administration of the children’s programs: Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, children’s choir, and VBS.  It’s my element.  I feel comfortable leading Bible studies, but I think I need to stretch myself, and this is part of the reason I’m doing a 6 week Bible study starting in January. 

5.      What would you tell your 21 year old self?

At 21, I was not a Christian and did not know Jesus.  I would most definitely tell my 21 year old self that nothing goes as planned, and to stop making plans for your life.  Live in the moment; live as if nothing will be the same tomorrow; and live a life full of love for others.

 

6.      What one piece of encouragement would you offer the women reading this interview?

I have never been a woman to rely on other women.  My friends have tended to be male.  Part of the reason for that is I find it hard to trust other women.  In the last few years of my life, though, I’ve found 3-4 women that, without their friendships, I’d be a totally different person.  I’m thankful God opened my heart to them.  My advice to other women is to find those women who you can be open with--those women who will hold your confidences close and not fail you.  I tend to still not trust other women.  We can be catty and just awful to each other.  But in allowing God to tender my heart some, I found some beautiful friendships.  Allow God to do the same with your heart.

 

Rose: A Stained Glass Window



Rose Edwards--Tennessee

I met Rose this past November at The Cove.

We sat with Rose and her husband, Brent, during lunch and they shared part of their story with us. There is a magnetism in those who have been broken and beautifully healed. There is not much glory in simply being broken; it is in the healing we see the beauty.  

In Rose’s sweet face I could see this beauty. Brokenness leaves a shadow in its wake. If left alone it darkens our faces, but if healed it softens the edges and the light seeps through the cracks. All the scars become a mosaic.

Rose’s face is a stained glass window.

The three of us prayed together that day. After lunch. At the edge of that round table. While the dining room was being cleaned and reordered. In the midst of it all we entered the throne room together and stayed there awhile.

And for the rest of the retreat I sought out her sweet face at every event. And since then we have corresponded through email. Oh, how blessed I am that we just happened to share a lunch table that day.

Rose Edwards

Brent and Rose have been married 14 years. She is stepmom to three wonderful children.

In 2008 a crisis of faith brought Brent and Rose to a crossroads in their marriage—hurt and pain of the deepest and most intimate kind. In the midst of that crisis they turned to Jesus in a way they never had before. They fell into his arms, and there they have remained.

I asked Rose a series of questions and by the time I finished her answers I was in tears. I have reread her responses several times. What an interview! There’s beautiful and sage counsel here.

1.   In this current season what would be your most comforting and your most challenging Scripture verse or passage?  

Comfort- Romans 8:28. My life verse (and that ‘life’ only began in 2008). And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Challenging-Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

This is challenging to me, because I still battle needing A-words from people: Acknowledgement, Accolades, Acceptance, Attaboy’s, Adoration, Awards, Appreciation etc. I have to remind myself of this verse when those old feelings creep back in. 

2.   Name two books besides the Scriptures which have contributed to the increase, growth and challenge of your faith?

#1) The Study of James, Beth Moore:  This was a brother of Jesus! His changed heart and therefore his instruction to us, hit me like a ton of bricks.

#2 Covenant, Kay Arthur:  I had no understanding of a Covenant, this study gave me an understanding of this critical foundational truth! How it was originated and what a Covenant means to God! I admit I struggled with the ‘blood’ sacrifice and why we had to ‘talk’ about it all the time. This study clearly opened my eyes!

3.   If you could have a conversation with your twenty-one year old self what would you tell her?

First of all, I am pretty certain she wouldn’t listen to me. But of course, I would still try!

“Rose, you will soon be faced with many, many life situations and have lots of choices to make.  Based on your childhood you are likely to make decisions based on your need for love and acceptance. You believe that a man will be able to provide you with ALL that you need to find happiness. Sadly, the decision you will end up making will bring you nothing but decades of pain and regrets. Let me tell you what I found out 34 years later- you are already loved, right now! Our parents are human and therefore have failed in raising you- but You have a heavenly Father that is perfect and He loves and accepts YOU, just as you are…Men, friends, and the acquaintances that you want to place your trust in are all human, and they will all fail you. There is only one whom you can place your complete trust in, He will never fail you, He will never break a promise, and His truth will set you free. You already know about Jesus. Rose, you know who He is, but you don’t know what it’s like to walk with Him! If you will turn your life over to Him, He will eliminate all this chaos you experience and bring you His peace!  “

 

4.   Our God has called you to a minister to his Body with your gifts. Where and how does God have you feeding and caring for his sheep?

I was a successful sales professional who traveled on an average two nights a week. Once I was saved, God erased everything that was not good for me and my family; he promptly laid me off of a 25 year career. Then he swept me clean of ‘friends’. I grieved both my job and my friendships.  About 6 months later I decided to take my first women’s bible study, I slowly made some new Godly friends. The leader encouraged me to openly pray, take a small group, cover for her when she was away-and I wouldn’t have any part of it! Fast forward 4 years and many studies later, but still feeling like I just wanted to sit in the back row and blend in, then—I was lead to become a Stephen Minister. Our church offers training each year, it amounts to over 50 hours of extensive training and discipleship training. I graduated in May of this year.

In June, I was asked to take two roles in leadership positions in my church.

After much prayer and counsel I accepted both positions, I realized that it was my professional background that God is now using for this season of my life, for His Glory, for His kingdom!

STEPHEN MINISTRY: I have two care receivers that I have been working with, women whose lives are in crisis. I meet with them weekly and have truly seen God work! I often say he places what he wants them to hear in my left hand and I pass it to them in my right hand. (emphasis Tamera’s. I wanted you to read this sentence again! What a prayer.)

Woman’s Bible Study Leader: This role includes decision making for a group of approximately 60 women on next study and maintaining communication with the group. I open in prayer, which is funny from the woman who wouldn’t pray out loud!

Small Group leader:  I most enjoy the small group that I facilitate. This is an amazingly wise group of women, I love the insight shared. Many are carrying heavy burdens, and it is my pleasure to pray with and for them, caring and loving each of them.

5.    What one piece of encouragement would you offer the women reading this interview?

I have learned to ask myself “Does this matter eternally?” or “Is there any eternal value in (fill in the blank) _____?  We women often want everything to be perfect. We worry about what others will think. We work hard to control our lives and our family’s lives.  All of these things are often the result of just wanting things to be done our way.  Before reacting, or overreacting, a simple question of oneself “Does this really matter?” will allow women to stop and smell the roses, enjoy the differences, and live in the moment. For me, this brings true freedom in Christ, free from the worries of this world!

Pomegranate Seeds

Bells and pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe

to be worn for ministering…

Exodus 39:26 NIV 

One morning I was preparing breakfast—our typical yogurt and oatmeal concoctions. In the midst of these daily fixings I was engaged in an internal dialogue and contemplation. For weeks my prayers centered and pivoted on asking God for something new. I knew my comfort zone had grown far too broad. Much of what I did stemmed out of habit and routine. Not all habit and routine is negative or undesirable, but the Spirit was nudging, and so far I wasn’t budging. I just didn’t think I was ready for any kind of risk; any kind of out-of-the-box assignment was a little much right now.

Or so I thought. I wasn’t expecting the Spirit to speak to me that morning. I didn’t plan on being floored with such deep symbology. I didn’t expect to suddenly feel as if my skin were far too tight. I simply planned to eat my yogurt. 

In late autumn the pomegranates are ready for harvest. They begin to appear in the fruit bins and baskets at the groceries. The first time I see them in the season I get so excited.

Pomegranates are history, myth and folklore. In a well-known myth Persephone swallowed pomegranate arils and they doomed her to months spent in the underworld with Hades. There are some who believe the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was a pomegranate. Pomegranates were used to create fermented drinks and garnishes. In the Old Testament God used the pomegranate to adorn the curtains of the Tabernacle. He had artists embroider or attached them along the hem of the priests’ robes. Solomon commissioned artists to carve them in the stone of the Temple. Pomegranates have an average of six hundred arils (seeds) in each. Devout Jews believe that there are 613 and that these seeds are symbolic of the commandments in the Torah. Even today the pomegranate is hailed as a wonder fruit.

That morning back in the fall I was not contemplating these things. No, nothing so deep or spiritual. I just wanted this tangy zip of fruit in my yogurt.

Have you ever opened a pomegranate? Not an easy task. There are even You Tube videos offering instructions of the best methods. I have my own way, and that morning I opened my pomegranate and the seeds spilled out onto the plate.

The under-the-counter light played and bounced on the pomegranate seeds. I noticed that the juice pooled darkly. I stood spellbound. Only the hum of the refrigerator and my husband’s shower broke the quiet. I stared at those seeds.

In the space of those few moments I had an epiphany.

Dictionary.com defines epiphany as: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

I looked at those spilled, dark red seeds and thought about the perfect formation of each one. Each one filled with just a taste of juice that holds a sharp tang and flavor. Each one fits exactly against the other, covered by an ivory membrane and encased in the deep, rich red leather-like peel.

In the simple, common and everyday occurrence of preparing breakfast I saw in that pomegranate the women in the Body of Christ.

I remember thinking, oh, if only they were multi-colored. What a symbol this could be.

My world honed down to the plate in front of me. Even narrower to the pomegranate resting on it.

They do not need to be different colors, Tamera. For Jesus’ blood washes you. My Son’s blood covers all of you.

My breath hesitated in my lungs. I think I exhaled, but couldn’t quite inhale.

I died in that brief moment. Died to my own selfish self-preservation. All that I had been ignoring, resisting, fighting and battling deflated. The risk of stepping outside my beautiful, comfortable landscape became inevitable.

If ever an idea came to me fully birthed this was it. I could have dismissed it. I could have put those dark red arils in my yogurt and gone on with my morning. And I would have been one of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s blackberry pickers.

“Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”
― Elizabeth Barrett Browning

But God speaks everyone’s language. And that morning he spoke to me. Forever and always I will see a pomegranate and be reminded of the Body of Christ. Especially women. We are covered in the blood of Jesus, nestled together under the covering of the Spirit and wrapped in the protection of God.

That morning I saw all of you. You. You who are here reading these words on this website.

A hundred women’s faces flashed before me. They strolled across the screen of my inner eyes. Bigger than life. As if the Spirit were hovering over the iconic emblem of each of you.

Ordinary women. Living phenomenal lives.

Because of grace. Because of mercy. Because of love.

Women I know. Personally. Women who have held my hands. Who have prayed for me. Who have blessed me. Who have counseled me. Who have encouraged me. Who have chastised me. Who have shown me the Kingdom. Who have loved me.

That morning I knew I needed to tell their stories. I wanted you to hear their narratives.

I opened the pomegranate.  

And one by one I will introduce you to God’s beautiful, glorious pomegranate seeds.