I have seen a lot while ministering in some of the most sin saturated streets in Birmingham.  Some things so bad that I haven’t been able to shake and some things so bad, I hope I always remember.

When it comes to my girls, I feel like I am in constant war with this world.  It is exhausting at times to stay one step ahead of the enemy.  There is no way we will make it unless we rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I am learning the truth about the gray…  There simply is none.  I must seek a life that is clearly black and white.  My girls must see what I hold valuable… they must see a life uncompromised.  When they see me, I want them to NOT see this world.  I want them to see that I wanted more of the Lord, even in the valley.  I want them to see a faithful Savior with immeasurable grace.  The more you know Him, the more aware you are of the gray in your life.  It’s a real eye-opener!

Listen, the stronghold of sin, these “gray” areas in our life, can leave one wandering for years, even a lifetime in the desert.  Getting caught up in the grays of this world can literally keep one from entering the Promised Land.  That’s hard to say, but that’s truth.

Generations were born in the wandering, and if we aren’t careful, we women of God will justify the gray and the legacy we leave will be one of compromise.  The truth is we are all called to be like Christ, be holy, be imitators.  We know the Truth, we know what can keep us wandering in that desert.  My word, we can walk around the same old mountain over and over and over again if we aren’t careful.   We have to let the Lord refine us and live a life of truth that leads others to the Promised Land.

I will never know her name, what life at one timed filled the lifeless body, just impossible to calculate the countless individuals who were coerced by another or even the home life the little girl belonged to…. It feels like a slap in the face, a bucket of ice cold water being doused at your face.

Hey, women!  It is time to wake up, warrior up if you will.  Yep, I am talking to you.  Listen. I need you!  We need each other.  But mostly, we need Jesus.  This world is screaming cheap, disposable, temporary and devalued.  It’s in the news, it’s on the television, it’s at the movies, it’s on their phones, it’s with their friends and it’s at the mall.  If we aren’t careful, they will see it in their own mirror and worse, in the home.  God help us, Satan just needs a foothold.  He just needs you to blur the line, compromise or justify the gray.  Oh my word, how guilty am I for too of ofte njustifying the gray. It’s hard.  I know.  But, no more.  When our girls look back at us, they need to see Jesus, His truths, His promises and a covenant relationship that cannot be compromised.  When we seek Christ in such an intimate way,  our relationship with others will be filled with His truth.  We need Him.  In every area of our life.   I encourage you to seek more of  Him today!  You need to know… it’s in you.  You are able.  You are enough.  How do I know, because HE is enough!

Search us, Lord.  Refine our ways. Help us desire your refining fire, to be made pure, to live golden.  To be the example. The Titus 2 woman.  The modern-day Deborah.  The Esther.  The Hannah.  The bent woman. The life uncompromised. Believe the Lord WILL use you.  Believe that such a time is THIS!

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

We need more women who are willing to be broken and show this world real Beauty.  It’s really simple. Our girls need us to step up and be radiant.

Warrior up sister, it’s time!

xo,