Michelle DeRusha

Every Day Faith. Faith Every Day.

Learning from Heroines of the Faith

It Takes a Village {My Faith Heroine Series}

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Today’s post come from Bible study author and teacher Donna Pyle. You will not find a more encouraging woman than Donna, and I mean that. Every time I receive an email or a Facebook message from her, it exudes encouragement, love and joy. I always feel lighter after talking with Donna, and I know that’s exactly how you’ll feel after reading her post. Be sure to visit Donna at her website, Hydrated Living, and check out her latest release, Quenched: Christ’s Living Water for a Thirsty Soul.

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Post by Donna Pyle

There is eternal truth in the ancient African proverb, “It takes a village.” Though sometimes we desire to be an island, that’s not how God created us.

Michelle’s blog series has revealed many incredible women who introduced us to their faith heroines. But what if it took a whole village, like me? I wasn’t raised going to church regularly, and willfully tossed my curls and walked away as a teenager.

At 23, a friend invited me to church. What I didn’t know then, what I couldn’t see, what I didn’t care about, was that those women would become my Jesus village. In various stages of life, God gave me these beautiful women to increase my faith and bless me in countless ways. Picking one just did not seem right. Their mentoring and friendship carry equal, precious weight in my soul.

I lacked confidence and spiritual wisdom, so God gave me Kathy Graumann. Her gentle patience erased my fear of fitting into the church crowd. With twinkling eyes, earnest words, and the heart of a pastor’s wife, she made me feel comfortable in my own skin, even when I didn’t. I have never heard a harsh or negative word pass her lips. She encouraged me to study Scripture every single day, a gift that thankfully stuck. She introduced me to a group of mission-minded ladies whose blessings in my life prompted me to begin a Bible-teaching ministry.

I lacked leadership and balance for ministry so God gave me Eloise Kuhlmann. Her words carry immeasurable wisdom both from Scripture and experience. Her words are carefully filtered through Christ’s love and a heart of encouragement. Her easy smile, witty humor and intelligence make her a natural leader whom I eagerly follow. Her love for cooking inspired me to balance work and home life in an age when working women focused solely on climbing the corporate ladder.

I lacked experience to handle spiritual warfare and the storms of life, so God gave me Pat Bokenkamp. Through trials I could never imagine, including cancer, Pat demonstrates a faith that penetrates skin, bone, marrow and soul. God used her to strengthen my faith to handle the storm of divorce with Jesus at the center.

I lacked gentleness and discernment, so God gave me Luanne Walling. Where sarcasm easily slips off my tongue, her words never fail to encourage, build up, and give confidence. Her love and devotion to Jesus plunge to the depths of her soul, continually pointing people Christ. Who doesn’t need someone who tirelessly points you to the One who loves you most?

When it comes of faith heroines, my cup runneth over. For decades, God has used these women powerfully in my life, along with many others. I was a stubborn nut to crack, so God used a Jesus village.

My prayer is that He has given you a Jesus village of faith heroines, too. Whether they reside in your church, home or circle of friends, villages keep us in relationship with each other and with Christ. God never intended us to travel our faith journeys as an island. We need a village, because together we can accomplish much for His good purposes.

DonnaPyle2Author of the recently released Quenched: Christ’s Living Water for a Thirsty Soul, Donna Pyle lives amidst beautiful countryside in Texas. She is founder of Artesian Ministries, where she has authored 23 Bible studies and travels regularly to teach God’s Word. She blogs at Hydrated Living, and you can connect with Donna on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

 

 

 

 

This post is part of the My Faith Heroine Series in conjunction with the release of 50 Women Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Heroines of the Faith. Click here to read other posts in the #MyFaithHeroine series. 

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When You Are Called Beyond Your Comfort Zone

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Hildegard of Bingen

It was Day One. I sat at my desk, a typed list of 50 women at my side, my laptop open in front of me. I was ready, poised to embark on an eight-month research and writing project for a book about women in Christian history.

I glanced at the first woman on my list – Hildegard of Bingen: 1098-1179 – and paused. The twelfth century. What even happened back in the twelfth century, anyway? I wondered. Wracking my brain, I struggled to unearth deeply buried facts from my high school European history class. Was that when the Vikings lived? Or wait, maybe it was when the Crusades took place? Although I seem to recall something about a Norman invasion, too.

Turns out, I was a century off on all three accounts.

As I sat hunched over my laptop, my hands wrapped around a warm mug, doubts ping-ponged around my head.

Clearly I was not the right person for this job.

Cleary I wasn’t smart enough, historyish enough or researchy enough to write this book well.

Clearly the publisher had made a grave mistake in contracting me, the woman who didn’t know word one about history, to write a history book.

I wanted to quit, even before I’d begun.

…I’m over at Jo Ann Fore’s place today – and she’s giving away a copy of 50 Women Every Christian Should Know. Will you join me over there? 

Also…it’s not too late to submit your story to the #MyFaithHeroine blog post contest. Entries are due Wednesday – find out how to enter the contest (I’m giving away $25 VISA gift cards and a copy of 50 Women) by clicking here. 

When Your Life Feels Small and Ordinary

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Therese of Liseux

The sun hangs low, bathing the path and the tall grass golden. A rare stillness drapes the rolling land, interrupted by a single bird call, an unfamiliar one. I crane for a glimpse of feathers amid burnished leaves as my dog strains the leash taut.

I am walking the dog, something I’ve done nearly every evening since we adopted her last February. Tumultuous downpour, sub-zero temperatures, searing Nebraska heat – the weather makes no matter. After the dinner dishes are stacked in the dishwasher and the counters are wiped clean, I slip on my shoes, grab the purple leash from the hook by the back door and call for Josie.

I thought I’d dread walking the dog. As we considered the pros and cons of dog ownership, “walking” ranked right up there with cleaning up the yard and clipping the toenails of four paws. I never expected my daily dog walk would become one of my most cherished spiritual disciples.

…I’m over at Micha Boyett’s today (Do you know Micha? You need to. And her book, Found: A Story of Questions, Grace & Everyday Prayer? A must-read. So beautifully written, I read it twice-through). Join me over there? 

How to Offer Grace in a Homeless World

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DorothyDayQuote

I met Jim as he was trudging up the hill on South Street, a black trash bag slung over one shoulder. He stopped me as I jogged past and asked if there was a Laundromat close by.

“I’m homeless. This is all I own and I’ve got to wash it,” he said, dropping his trash bag onto the sidewalk, where it puddled at our feet.

He introduced himself. We shook hands beneath the elm tree.

A pastor at a church downtown had given Jim five dollars to do his laundry. “But not until he’d made me tell him my life story, and I mean my whole life story,” Jim added, shaking his head. “I’m not doing that again.”

I knew why that pastor had asked for Jim’s life story before he handed over the five dollars, because it’s what I’d been thinking, too. I wanted to know Jim’s story, not only because I was curious, but also because I, too, was leery of being duped. I wanted to make sure Jim was legit, that he deserved my handout and wasn’t some con artist or addict looking for a quick buck.

Part of me, a big part of me, wanted to be sure Jim was worthy of my grace…

…I’m over at the lovely Emily Wierenga’s place today (have you read Emily’s memoir, Atlas Girl? Five stars, people, five stars!). Will you join me over there for the rest of this story? 

 

When No Doesn’t Mean No

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MaryMcLeodBethune

One of the things I noticed in researching and writing about the lives of 50 Christian women was just how many of these women refused to take “no” for an answer.

I think sometimes as Christians, and particularly as Christian women, we assume “no” is the last word. We hear “no,” and we wonder if we’ve misinterpreted our calling or taken a wrong turn on the path. In the word “no” we often hear a reprimand. We wonder if it’s a sign signaling that we’ve strayed.

But what if “no” is not, in fact, the final word? What if the “no” we hear is simply a God-ordained detour? 

…I’m over at one of my very favorite author’s place today, my good friend Jennifer Dukes Lee! Join me over there to talk about when no doesn’t mean no? [and thank you, thank you for your patience as I send you all over hill and dale these days with guest posts for 50 Women. We’ll be wrapping up the visitations soon – thank you for sticking with me!]