Dear Woman Who Loves Jesus Too,

With a public ministry, I am used to being told to “tone the Jesus down” or that some wish I wasn’t so “religious.” (Those are the tame ones I’m willing to share. Other messages have been a little more…umm…colorful.) While these messages used to paralyze me momentarily, I now see them as confirmation that I’m being light in our dark world.

Of course, this is not exclusive to me. There are many women with much larger audiences than me who I am sure deal with many more shades of crazy than I do.

But as I look at my own page and the other social media platforms of women I respect & admire, it’s not the atheists or those of other belief systems’ comments who make my jaw drop.

It’s the attacking comments of those who claim Christ. 

It’s the harsh words against one of our own.

It’s the egotistical need “to be more right” than another, when it’s related more to experience & opinion than concrete truth.

Though my husband may be shocked to see it in writing, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always do the right thing or say the right thing. I would never be so arrogant to say that nothing I’ve ever said or done couldn’t be worded or executed better.

So while I can’t promise you perfection, I can promise you the heart is always there that’s trying.

Trying to seek God daily. To begin my day on my knees, begging Him to show up. To use me beyond what I could ever think or imagine.

Is that you too? Because if it is, though you and I may not always see things the exact same way, dear sweet sister, we are on the same team.

So dear woman who loves Jesus too, I am making a few promises to you starting now:

I promise to value you as someone God gave me to work with to accomplish His mission.

“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” Romans 12:4-5

Your perspective & your wording will reach someone for Him that mine won’t. And your gifts are different enough from mine to put you in front of people I will never meet who need our amazing Jesus just as desperately as those God puts in my path.

Because of that fact alone, even if we never meet, just know I am grateful for you.

I promise to genuinely love you, honor you & hold tightly to the work God has called you to do.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” – Romans 12:9-10

Our eternal work is too important to waste time “hating” on you (even if it’s just jealousy, comparison or competition in my own heart). The only thing to hate is evil. Because you’re working for God’s glory & not your own, I will love you, your ministry & support you any way I can – (and that’s not just a public promise for when others are watching & it benefits me.)

I promise I’ll work hard for God, hoping to reach more & inspire you to stay the course.

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. – Romans 12:11

I know you probably spin multiple plates at the same time too – wife, mom, career, volunteer, small group leader, carpool queen, ministry, etc. The struggle is REAL to sometimes want to crawl back in bed & go back to a time before God called us into leadership.

But that’s not His call for us.

He’s called me, and He’s called you to step out & do something in His name. To bring Him glory. And even though we feel totally inadequate at times, he’s fully equipped us because He’s providing the power. We just have to show up.

So I promise you I won’t quit. When you’re having a rough day, I hope I can be an inspiration to you. On my tougher days, I’ll look to you too. Thank you for your consistency.

I’ve got your back, girl.

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. – Romans 12:13

I may not perfectly understand your ministry or the mechanics of your calling. I might not even ever know your name. But you can know if you’ve taken the time to read this, I prayed for every eye on this letter and asked God to expand your territory, to richly bless you, and to send the right person to help whenever your need arises, whether it’s me or not. (I also asked for the chance to hang out someday, even if it’s not on this side of eternity.)

You’ve probably seen the popular Pinterest post: “Girls compete with one another. Women empower one another.” Let me take it one step further:

As women of God, we are UNITED in POWER.

Wishing you a powerful day. Let’s make Jesus famous together.

In Him,

Michelle