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Hey Reader, heyyyyyy! Happy FriYAY! Today I have a bit of a testimony to share in hopes that it helps you see this season of your JOYrney™ with a new light. Some of you may remember earlier this year when I shared how scared I felt stepping into a new direction — speaking more openly about scripture, faith, motherhood, identity, and JOY. I told you I felt:
Well, yesterday… God reminded me who’s REALLY writing this story. I spoke at a church’s women’s group — my first paid speaking engagement in a faith-based context… And the way it happened? God brought it TO me. I didn’t pitch. I didn’t chase. I didn’t “strategize”. It may not seem like much. But for me, it’s everything. Favor found me. And friend, I want that reminder for YOU too. Why this moment moved me so deeply… Two years ago, my business felt like it was crumbling. I’d shared all of this in my “Faith It Til You Make It” podcast episode — how I was exhausted, discouraged, and questioning everything. I remember telling God: how angry I was about where my business and my life was. “I don’t what You want from me.” I felt that way for weeks. And then one day an acquaintance who barely knew me said something that pierced my spirit: “Erica, maybe it’s not working because it’s not what you’re meant to be doing right now.
Maybe you're supposed to be drawing women closer to God.”
She was right. And that was actually where my heart was leaning. But at the time, I just wasn’t ready to admit it. It felt like failure. But sometimes obedience feels like loss before it feels like freedom. And now — yesterday standing on that church stage — I saw it clear as day: God was working the whole time. 🙌🏾 What this means for YOU If you’re in that “waiting season”… Let this sink in: ✨ Just because it’s taking longer… doesn’t mean God’s hand isn’t on it. ✨ Just because it doesn’t look the way you pictured… doesn’t mean it’s not aligned. ✨ Just because the world hasn’t applauded your progress… doesn’t mean Heaven hasn’t noticed. Sometimes God holds the door closed… because He’s building YOU for what’s on the other side. And sometimes the very thing that looks like failure …is the thing that prepares you for your future. (More on that it a bit 😉) The JOYrney To Purpose® Podcast A Conversation You Didn’t Know You Needed Speaking of failure, growth, and pivots — this week on the JOYrney To Purpose® Podcast, I’m joined by one of my business mentors and the Co-Founder/CEO of IFEL, Jill Johnson. In this conversation, we go there: ✨ What failure actually looks like in entrepreneurship If you’re building a business… dreaming of one… or trying to navigate “what’s next” with courage instead of fear — this conversation will bless you. Click the links below, or listen wherever you get your podcasts!
BTW: Be a pal, and forward it to a friend who’s been doubting herself as she considers using her gifts to bless others! COMING SOON: A NEW JOYrney™ Drop JOY in F.A.I.L.ING™ — (F)aith (A)lways (I)nspires (L)earning By now you probably know that I’m not shy about my failures — because I believe they are seeds God uses to grow our next season. And a few years ago, The Lord gave me a life-changing reframe about failure that I’ve held onto ever since. And now… I’m turning that truth into a wearable reminder for YOU. 😏 A JOY-infused apparel drop is coming soon. If you want first dibs when the collection drops…
(I’ll only be doing a limited first run!) 🎄FINALLY: Countdown to Christmas🎄 Listen, I told you a whole lot of newness was coming today! But this is the last thing… Consider this your heads-up: Over the next 4 weeks, I’ll be gifting you my 4 biggest lessons on how God used FAILURE to transform my faith, leadership, JOY, and identity. Think of it as: Lesson #1 drops next week. Make sure you’re checking your inbox! Until then, we’re on the JOYrney™ together… ONE feel-good thing at a time! PS: Want to go deeper in JOY with me? If today’s JOYrney Mail™ message is speaking to you directly, reply with one word: “NEXT.” I’ll send you a few gentle options for support — Have a blessed, and wonder-filled weekend! |
Digital love notes and inspiration for working women, parents, and caregivers to REDISCOVER JOY ...ONE feel-good thing at a time! Join the #VibeTribe and let's JOYrney™ together! 👇🏿👇🏿👇🏿
Hey Reader, From the bottom of my heart – 🥹 Because of your encouragement, prayers, and generosity, we did it! Last week we put together our very first Light & Life Kits… and within 15 minutes they were all gone — I’m talkin’ DUNZO! 😅 Teens, preschoolers, and adults alike received reminders of God’s light and life on October 31st — a day that typically glorifies the opposite. I promised you an update of how it went, so let’s dive in! A Family Project Turned Mission Moment In the week leading...
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Hey Reader, Over the past few weeks, I’ve been talking a lot about what it means to walk in the light — to live freely in who we’ve been called to be, even when the world celebrates something different. So with Halloween right around the corner, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to actually be the light — especially as a mom raising little ones in a world that often glorifies the opposite. Because honestly? As much as I enjoy a good opportunity to transform through dressing up, I can’t...