Sistah2Sistah: Can We Talk Conference
Dear amazing Sisters in Christ,
Thank you so much for the opportunity today to spend time with you and speak on this celebrated day.
I enjoyed feeling the beautiful pulse of women in South Africa, and borrowing the words of Sophia Williams, I feel so humbled to be part of such bravery. I link hands with my sisters across the globe proclaiming our Father is one who brings beauty from the ashes. I pray my story of “Learning to See God as Father” encouraged your hearts and gave you a glimpse into the magnificent love of a personal and loving Father.
During our time together today, we looked at scripture sharing who God is and how he interacts with you. We exchanged lies for truth. As promised, I have included those statements and scriptures below.
I encourage you to spend time with these scriptures realizing how Father’s heart beats with you in mind.
You are precious to him. He chose you to be in Him before the foundation of the earth. You are the joy set before him – both on the days when you feel strong and courageous or on the days when the horrors of what is happening to young females in our world feels overwhelmingly disheartening. You may even have your own insurmountable obstacle in mind, not even daring to voice it aloud.
Yet, may I remind us both a glorious truth?
Father is bigger than all of that.
You may be walking in a hard circumstance at the moment and the world may feel like it's in chaos, but Christ’s finished work on the cross says that that ultimately Father wins.
Allow me to say that again, please.
He has already won!
Hallelujah!
Oh, what a good, good Father we have.
How he loves you with an everlasting love. As you ponder these verses below, relax into Father, your ear against His chest, for truth is found only in Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) As women, let’s remind each other to not listen to lies that tell us otherwise.
Friends, can you hear it?
Quiet the noise and everything swirling around you and listen.
Father's voice speaks to you.
You may not think he speaks to you, but you are his sheep and his sheep hear his voice.
Stop...slow down for a second and breathe. Breathe deeply and listen deeper past the pain inside to the voice of love.
Close your eyes and let his calm and steady heartbeat wash over you with these truths.
Father is close. (Psalm 139)
Father is easy to talk to. (Heb 4:16/Jer 33:3)
Father is gentle and warm. (Isa 40:11)
Father is patient and kind toward me. (Rom 2:4)
Father has hope in me. (2 Cor 3:5)
Father listens and understands me. (Psalm 40:1/Heb 4:15)
Father is interested in me as a person. (Isa 45:3-4)
Father is pleased and delighted with me. (Zeph 3:17/Psalm 18:19)
I am special and important to God. (Isa 49:16/Psalm 18:19)
Father cares a lot about my feelings. (John 11:35)
Father builds me up and encourages me. (Psalm 103:2-5)
Father is there when I need help. (Psalm 103:2-5)
I can depend on Father. (2 Tim 2:13)
Father doesn’t remind me of my sins. (Jer 31:34)
Father allows me to learn from mistakes. (2 Cor 12:8-10)
I am Father’s forever, no matter what. (2 Cor 1:21-22)
This is the voice of a good, good Father.
Ten years ago, I had no clue that I would grow to see Father in such an intimate and tender way. As you can see from my “before” picture, He proved confusing to me. Where was he when I needed Him? Was he the cause of sickness and misfortune? Why did he seem two-faced to me? Could I trust Him?
I thank Father for revealing Himself to me and showing me His goodness.
It has been quite the journey. Can you see the tender love of Father in my “after” picture? Do you see the trust and ease on my face? (Forgive my artist skills. I have none. LOL!) Although trying and difficult circumstances still try to knock me over, the truth has set me free. I now exhale with comfort, trusting my Father in all he says and does, even in the midst of a storm. My heart is safe with His.
I have confidence that Father will do the same for you, and like me, you will be able to proclaim His goodness “now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:3.)
Our journey as loved, honored, and courageous woman begins as treasured daughters.
"...you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you...“ "And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” days the Lord Almighty. (Isaiah 43:3 and 2 Corinthians 2:18)
And Father keeps his promises, my fellow sisters!
You can count on that.
Glory!
p.s. Ladies, I invite you to post your own before and after pictures of how you see God in the comments below or to send them privately to me via the “Contact Me” page, if desired. (And if you only have a "before" at this time, there is zero shame in that. Rest assured that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.) Feel free to post whether you attended the Sister-2-Sister conference today or not. I would love to continue our conversation together!
"Before" 2010 Aleisha Cate
"After" 2020 Aleisha Cate
