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Have you ever been frustrated by a situation you determined was unfair or unjust? I mean something that not only bothered you, but compelled you to search for a solution. Listen y’all, sometimes the thing that agitates you the most is where you will find your purpose and where God wants you to make an impact in the world. My guest on today’s episode can relate. 

Dorena Williamson is a wife, a mother of four, the first lady of a multi-racial church, and a best-selling author. She was uncomfortable with the idea that she had to divide her spiritual heritage and her natural one. She was also agitated with seeing young Black women being discriminated against because of how God, the master creator, made them to be. She knew she had to do something and eventually found an outlet in writing children’s books. While her books target youth, the messaging contains critical truths for adult readers.

One of the things that has been on Dorena’s heart and influenced a lot of her current work is helping young people make sense of their identity and faith, particularly young Black girls. Her book, Crowned with Glory, is a great illustration of how she uses literature to help young Black women understand, appreciate and even celebrate their cultural identity while fully embracing that in Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28, NIV). We are one in Christ, and yet, there are traits and experiences that different cultural groups share, whether it is the texture of our hair, the color of our skin, or the types of food we eat. The way we look and many of the cultural practices we embrace are an intentional part of who God made us to be. We are all one, but we are not all the same, and that is a beautiful thing. We can actually celebrate the incomparable creativity and cleverness of God expressed in the people He created in His own image. Sadly, these truths are not always affirmed in the body of Christ, but it doesn’t have to remain that way. Through her books, Dorena provides young Black women with images to which they can relate, and also opens the door for the body of Christ to talk openly across cultures about some of our more distinctive, God-given traits.  

Dorena is living her life on purpose in her uniqueness and living beyond herself. Her work is not only healing and joy-giving for herself, it is a work that blesses people in other communities and cultures. She found a way to merge the thing she was most agitated about with her gift of editing, and in the process, she found her calling. My friend, look at your life and see the areas in which you are frustrated and be bold enough to make a difference in the world. As you listen to our conversation, I pray that it helps you appreciate diversity as a good gift from God. I hope that you are encouraged to embrace the challenge of making the world a better place.

 

Highlights from Today’s Episode

  • Educating other cultures about black hair
  • Embracing our God-given uniqueness
  • Raising daughters to love themselves 
  • Sharing race and faith in tandem

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Resources Mentioned: 

Other Stuff to Check Out

Let’s Talk!

  1. How would you approach the conversation of race with other cultures?
  2. How do we represent Christ and represent our heritage?
  3. How do we show the next generation how to be proud while honoring our heritage?

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How to Listen to The Podcast

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You have been so great to join me on the journey here on the blog, I hope you jump right in and do the same on the podcast!