Are you an extraordinary woman?

I never thought of myself as one. I only did what I had to do to get through the day, write one more word, get one more chore done, take care of one more thing my kids needed, keep connected with my husband, and talk to God during all of it. That didn’t make me extraordinary. I was only ordinary, doing what I had to do.

I was praying with a friend one day, and when we finished, she said, “God wants you to know you are an extraordinary woman.”

Of course, I began to list all the ways I was NOT extraordinary but just an ordinary wife and mother getting through life. She confirmed what God had told her and we ended our call. Those words lingered in my mind, ‘Extraordinary Woman.’ I stopped the negative thoughts that bubbled up denying the encouraging words. I prayed that God would reveal to me the meaning of what an extraordinary woman was.

Turning to scripture I read:

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Jesus has begun a good work in us because his holy spirit lives in us once we accept him into our lives. He will continue to do good things through us as we live for him.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven,” Matthew 5:16.

When we believe we are extraordinary because of his power that lives in us we begin to live out his love and grace. When we step out in faith, we reflect the light that the light of the world fills us with.

As I lingered on the scripture, God kept encouraging me as a woman of God. I wondered if other women though they weren’t extraordinary. Was I the only one who doubted?

I talked with women over the next few months about how they were walking out their faith. When I heard the amazing stories, I would encourage them by telling them they were extraordinary women. The majority of women responded the same way I did. I am not extraordinary I am just doing what I need to do to glorify God.

Shining the light of Christ is what we have been called to do. In each ordinary action, each ordinary day, we have an opportunity to reflect the light of Christ. I prayed about how we as women could change our thoughts of who we are as women of God. Each time I approach God with open hands asking him what can I do for him to help women I am astounded at his response.

A few years ago I asked, and he told me to write. I didn’t obey immediately but when I did he blessed it. This time he urged me to begin a podcast. So instead of obeying, I called my middle son. He listens to podcasts.

I was sure he would say, “Yeah, Ma, probably not for you.” But, the conversation didn’t quite go that way.

“Wow, mom, I think you would be great at that!” His enthusiasm wasn’t what I thought I would hear. To be honest, it wasn’t what I wanted to hear.

To start a Podcast, I would have to learn so many new things. I would have to do something that scared me. I would have to obey God. Shocking!!!

On September 1^st I launched my new podcast, Created To Shine, Celebrating The Love of Christ in Everyday Life!

The Created To Shine Podcast is for people who love God and want to share his story each day of their lives in what they say, do and are according to his abilities not their own. We will talk about God’s desire for us to live life to the fullest no matter the circumstances. We will chat about the real life we live as we shine the light God has created us to radiate where we live, work and play. I will be including interviews of those who shine the light of Christ. The purpose of the podcast interview is to hear from Extraordinary Women Who Shine In The Ordinary.

My Newsletter Friends were the first to be informed and exclusively listen. The feedback was encouraging! Now, I am very excited to share this new adventure with you. I am stretching my comfort zone beyond reasonable boundaries. I am doing something that scares me. I am obeying God’s call.

Join me on the Podcast. Let me know what you think!

What are you doing that scares you? What are you doing to shine the light of Christ in ordinary ways? Whose daughter are you?

So let me ask you again. Are you an extraordinary woman?

And the women say, “Yes I am.”