There’s something beautiful about those quiet moments, the times when the world seems to pause and our hearts whisper secrets that only we can hear. This Sunday I found myself lost in a gentle meditation while sipping on my iced coffee, the sweet smell mingling with the soft hum of Katy Nichole playing on the Alexa. It was in that stillness that I realized how deeply our everyday moments can mirror the divine. The beauty of a sunrise, the laughter of friends, even the unfiltered thoughts that pour out in the shower are threads in the intricate tapestry of God’s design. 

I’ve often reflected on how our faith isn’t just a set of beliefs or a collection of doctrines, but a living, breathing experience that transforms every facet of our lives. In those rare, quiet moments when I dare to be completely honest with myself, I see the reflection of a biblical woman– beautiful, resilient, and profoundly loved by God. It reminds me of Proverbs 31:25, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” This scripture is not merely an ideal but a living reality for each of us when we choose to embrace our true selves, raw and real, imperfections included. 

Walking through life with this mindset means we are allowed to be multifaceted. We can be the girl who sings out loud in the car, filled with uncontainable joy, and the woman who wrestles with her doubts in the quiet of the night. Both parts of us matter. In fact, it’s the coexistence of these layers that makes our journey so captivating. Lately, I’ve been walking through a season where embracing my true self in Jesus hasn’t been easy. The last couple months have been probably the worst months of my life– filled with moments where I’ve questioned my worth, questioned the last 5 years of my life, wrestled with loneliness, a broken heart, and struggled just to be okay with myself. It’s a humbling thing, to admit you’re not always strong, not always brave, and certainly not perfect. But in that brokenness, I’ve found grace. Thank you Jesus for grace. Because my strength to get up each day doesn’t come from me– it comes from God. And though I don’t always feel it right away, I’m learning to recognize those quiet moments when His strength quietly steps in. 

Some days still feel like a battle, just to find peace, to feel like a true woman of faith, but even on the hardest days, God’s goodness has been an undeniable thread running through it all. I’m realizing that faith isn’t about having it all together, but about showing up anyway, trusting that God is meeting me in the mess. 

I often muse in my journal about how our struggles are not meant to break us, but to shape us. It’s like the pressure that transforms a rough diamond into a precious gem. And isn’t that what our faith journey is all about? Finding the beauty in our brokenness, the victory in our trials, and the hope that comes from trusting God. A God who sees us and still chooses to love us unconditionally. 

I think one of the hardest yet freeing things I’ve been trying to learn is how to forgive myself. How many times have we tried to measure ourselves against a standard that doesn’t account for the grace that God freely offers us everyday? I remember reading about women like Ruth, Esther, and Mary– not as flawless models, but as real women who faced real dilemmas with faith as their guiding light. Their stories remind us that our value isn’t determined by our achievements or mistakes, but by the unshakable truth that we are made in the image of a loving Creator (Check out my blog “He Took His Time”). This perspective has infused my daily life with an awareness that every misstep, every moment of vulnerability, can be transformed into a stepping stone towards a deeper, greater, more authentic plan and relationship with God. 

So how do we embrace this beautiful messiness of life? It starts by allowing ourselves to be more authentic. Imagine standing in front of a mirror each morning and speaking words of affirmation that are rooted in your identity in Christ. It might feel awkward at first, but soon these declarations become a lifeline. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” “I am brave enough to face the unknown,” “My faith empowers me to rise above the storm.” Over time, these words become more than just a mantra; they become the very foundation on which you build your day. 

There’s also a certain joy in sharing these moments with others. Whether it’s through casual conversation, heartfelt texts, or an honest blog post like this one. There’s power in vulnerability, in sharing our struggles and triumphs, we invite others into our narrative and it creates a ripple effect of encouragement and support. I have a wonderful friend who is near and dear to my heart. Between sips of coffee and fits of laughter, we uncover hidden truths about our hearts, dreams that we have, and the love that we have for Christ. It’s in these shared revelations that we often find the spark of inspiration to keep pressing forward, to keep seeking, and to keep loving ourselves the way God loves us. 

Another layer of the journey is learning to see everyday moments as divine appointments. Even a random shower thought– a fleeting moment of introspection that surfaces like a bubble on water– can carry the weight of revelation. Last week, as I pondered over the simplicity of water, I couldn’t help but see it as a reflection of grace. Water, in its purity and fluidity, reminds me that we too have the ability to cleanse, to heal, and to start afresh. Just as baptism symbolizes a washing away of the old and rising to new life. Water becomes a beautiful metaphor for the renewal we find in Christ. It’s a small yet profound reminder that despite the complexities of life, God’s grace and forgiveness flows effortlessly through every season. 

As I sit here, showing my heart, I feel a vibrant connection to every woman who’s ever dared to dream, love deeply, and to seek God in every twist and turn of her journey. Our lives are not perfect, and sometimes they are downright messy. Yet, it is precisely in our imperfections that we find the most honest expressions of faith. We are, after all, in a constant state of becoming– refined slowly by the hands of a patient and loving Creator. 

In closing, I invite you to join me in a small, yet deliberate act of surrender. Tonight, as you wind down your day, take a few moments to reflect on the beauty of your own story. Embrace the parts that are raw, the parts that are joyful, and even the parts that you are still seeking. Remember that every chapter, every line of your life, is etched by the hand of God. And in that truth, there is a peace that surpasses all understanding– a peace that declares; you are enough, just as you are. May your heart be light, your spirit be bold, and your journey be filled with both the tranquility of devotion and the exhilarating chaos of true, authentic living. Let us continue to inspire and uplift one another, one thoughtful moment at a time. 

Let’s Pray Together!

God, Thank you for meeting me here– in the quiet, in the chaos, and in every sacred in between. Thank you for the gentle reminders that I am never alone, that even in my lowest moments, You are near. Today, I bring before you my weary heart– the questions, the hopes, the hurt, and the healing that is still in progress. Help me to see myself through Your eyes, not as someone who must have it all together, but as someone perfectly loved in every single stage of becoming. Teach me to embrace both the joy and the struggle, knowing that You are using each part to shape me into something beautiful. 

Lord, help me forgive myself where I’ve fallen short, and to receive that grace You so freely give. Remind me that my worth is not found in perfection, but in Your presence. Give me courage to be authentic, strength to keep going, and faith to trust the unseen things You are working together for good. Wash over me with Your peace today—  like living water that cleanses and restores. Let Your love be the stillness in my soul and the fire that keeps me moving forward. 

In your Holy Name I pray, Amen. 

• S. W.