Three years ago I took on a summer job working midnight shift at a break pad factory.  Every morning I would come home covered in black soot - in my nose, my ears, and my hair.  I remember first walking in for an orientation and realizing my floor was mostly manned by guys – and some of them looked at me as if to say, “what the heck is a blonde girl doing here? Does she think this is a hair salon or something?” Though this may not sound appealing for many of you ladies, it was one of the best summers of my life.

I made it my goal that summer to love everyone around me as much as humanly possible.  I heard stories that were fascinating and others that were heartbreaking.  I made some incredible friends.  Our conversations were always yelled out, because the loud machines combined with our earplugs made hearing difficult.

Though I have many amazing memories from that place, one really stands out.  One night a new guy stepped onto the floor and immediately I felt uncomfortable around him.  My instincts turned out to be accurate. He came right up to me, and before even introducing himself, made a very sexually derogatory comment.  I told him to never speak to me like that again and I wanted nothing to do with him for the following weeks.

But one night at the beginning of my shift, I heard God telling me, “Michelle, give him your Bible.”  I immediately started arguing with God. My Bible was very dear to me. I had had it for years.  I had taken it on all my mission trips and had life lessons scribbled all over the margins.  I’m sure some of you can relate.

So I began to bargain with God. I said, “Ok, how about I will go buy him his very own Bible tomorrow, and give it to him when I see him during our next shift?” But I felt God telling me that it had to be my Bible, and I had to give it to him before our shift was over.  I argued with God all night, until one question hit me hard: Michelle, do you love your Bible as an object more than you love what the Bible actually says - to be obedient and to love God and people regardless of the cost?

Long story short, I walked up to him at the end of the shift, and with my hands shaking gave him my Bible. I almost expected him to laugh and throw it out in front of me, but he was visibly moved.  He kept saying, “But…this is yours…why would you give it to me?”  He thanked me, put it into his pocket, and went home.

Here’s the crazy part: I never saw him again.  I came to work the next day and found out he had been fired.  I realized that If I had disobeyed God by going out and buying him a Bible instead of giving him my own, he never would have gotten it.  I was so humbled.  This guy came from a strict Muslim family and probably would not have had many opportunities to get his hands on a Bible.  Please pray for him.

This experience taught me that it is always worth it to pay attention when God taps us on the shoulder.  Even if it makes us uncomfortable.  Even if it makes us look stupid. Even if it costs us something.  I hope this story is an encouragement to you this week as you live for God.  Be blessed girls, and be listening when God calls!

Michelle

I believe it was pastor Steven Furtick who said that spiritual maturity comes not from constantly pursuing God in the big things, but being obedient in the small things.  Are you more concerned with God’s ‘will’ for your life than you are with obeying him throughout the day?

Praying every day, having a good attitude, reading and memorizing the word, and not hesitating when we feel God asking us to do something are often much harder than going on a mission trip across the globe or trying to figure out God’s will at a big conference.

Let’s be diligent with the small things this week girls!

Michelle

“The difference between where you are and where God wants you to be may be the painful decision you refuse to make.”

These words by Craig Groeschel are hitting close to home for me lately.  I just completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph, and for the first time I have no school or work to busy up my time with.  Jay calls it my “season of Sabbath,” during which I am unwinding from a very hectic semester and spending time with God, family, and friends.  It is truly a blessing to have the time to sleep in, clean the house, learn some new recipes, and go on leisurely spring walks.

But this is not just lazy relaxing. I believe it is a time of preparation that is crucial for the road ahead.  As many of you know, I am passionate about the fight against human trafficking and will be devoting my energy to this cause – likely for the rest of my life.  Though I know this is what God has called me to, I often feel a pang of shame when people ask me what job I have now that I am done university.  Some of my friends have been fortunate to have been called to do work that is financially secure and socially acceptable.  I have not.  And it’s a scary thing to go against peoples’ expectations.

But I realize that God has brought me to a crossroads.  Am I willing to pursue him and rejecting the status quo that people expect of me?  My prayer is that I would be sensitive to God’s promptings, courageous and obedient to which He has called me, and willing to always play offense with my life.

So what is the painful decision God is waiting you to make in order for you to get where He wants you to be?  Moving across the country?  Staying right where you are? Ending a relationship? Forgiving someone? Going to university? Not going to university?  A different career path?  A different major in school? Quitting a job? Befriending a difficult person? Going to Africa? Asia? Latin America? Accepting a promotion? Declining a promotion? Confronting a friend? Tithing more?  Confessing your secret sins to someone? Seeing a counsellor?  Having a long-overdue conversation with a certain person?  Selling your home?

If there is a difficult decision you are refusing to make and you feel that it is keeping you from getting you where God wants you to be, now is the time to take action.

Michelle

I think one of the hardest things for us girls is not to gossip…even for those of us who are pursuing sexual purity.  You might ask, what does gossiping have to do with purity?

If you are talking badly about another girl, and if that girl happens to hear about it, her self esteem is affected. We know as girls and women that our self worth can be extremely fragile.  Even a negative comment about our hair or clothes can get us all down on ourselves right?  Often girls who feel insecure about themselves will try to get validation and acceptance by turning to guys…and giving away their hearts and bodies in the process.  Why would we want to cause another girl to stumble by undermining her self esteem?

When we disrespect each other, we are giving guys permission to disrespect us.  We need to stop gossiping and comparing and start building each other up.  If you are about to gossip, think if a positive thing about that person instead.  Maybe even write them an encouragement note.  I know I need to be reminded of this on a regular basis.  Do you?

Michelle

Michelle went to a wedding shower for one of our dear friends on Sunday. They played a game where everyone put marriage advice in a hat. One of the responses that my wife shared with me made me sick.  This certain piece of advice was a downright lie, no doubt borne out of bitterness and frustration.

“If you want your husband to do more chores, put out more.”

If you marry a godly man, he’ll never put that expectation on you.

If you are a godly woman, you’ll never use sex as a bartering chip.

If you have a godly marriage, you’ll love and serve each other NO MATTER what.

Seek out a godly man.

Be a godly woman.

Have a godly marriage.