Her Story

Est.Her was birthed in my heart many years ago, though her name and existence just came into being in October, 2009. Through pain and suffering in my own life, the Lord led me to I Peter 5:10 the same week I was speaking on Esther at a women's conference. I Peter 5:10 says, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God who called you according to His grace, will Himself, perfect, confirm, strengthen, establish you.” The words dried my tears as I realized suffering is not only an inevitable part of life, but it is a divine gift that has an alpha and omega, too. Suffering is never a wasted cistern but a meaningful catalyst for perfecting my identity in Christ, confirming my call from Him, strengthening me for my calling, and ultimately establishing me through Jesus. He is life not merely an addition. So preparing for my Esther talk, I flipped the pages from I Peter back to Esther and my eyes enlarged. "Establish Her" was written in Est.Her. He wants to establish women, whether married or single, young or old, through the artistry of suffering. It is in this place of need, Christ awareness, and humility that intimacy with Christ is ushering in; perfecting our identity in Christ, confirming our callings from Him, strengthening us for our responsibilities, and then, of course, firming us up deep as women in God, not just women of God. Activity is one of the greatest enemies to intimacy with Jesus. Establish Her was born for and through women who are hungry for intimacy in Christ, not merely activity for Him. Oh, may our hearts not be far from Him while our hands work for Him. So much of our activity is fruitless because it is not truly birthed out of abiding in Christ. Abiding, at least for me lately, has been deepened through a keen sense of need. That keen sense is not developed on the pinnacle, as much as it is in the pits or "prisons" of life. Even Paul wrote from prison, “I have learned to be content with whatever the circumstance." This group of women is open for anyone who loves and needs the Word of God as an anchor through life. It is joyous to be a daughter of Christ, in spite of our lack of perfection. Establish Her celebrates the validity and application of the whole council of Scripture, while also enjoying and profiting from the individual voices and ‘establishment stories’ of broken women made whole. Every other Monday and Tuesday, women meet to break bread together, share an establishment story, capitalize on a passage of Scripture, fervently pray, and worship the Living God together. Truly, He inhabits the praises of His people and inhabits us, indeed. Where two or three are gathered He is present in Spirit and peace. This Bible study that stemmed from my own misery now births ministry for others. How thrilling to do life in community with one another as women, while enjoying the person of Jesus Christ, not only as our Savior and Lord, but LIFE utterly!”