As of the last year, I have felt a deep longing to express myself through writing. I have always known that I was meant to put my experiences, thoughts, and emotions on paper. There is always been this daunting responsibility to minister to people, especially those who are lost. I can uniquely identify with the journey of being a Black woman. That is partially why I initially hesitated to respond to this call. Women are complicated, and our journeys are often layered with complexities that are hard to articulate.

Answering this call to write and minister means I have to be transparent about my own journey, revealing things I have held onto internally for years. Let’s be honest—opening up and sharing our unique experiences with others requires us to be vulnerable. It requires us to be transparent in order to be effective messengers of God’s word. That is what ministry is all about.

If I am being honest, I have always associated vulnerability with weakness. This belief is rooted in my upbringing. Watching my mother and grandmother navigate life with strength and resilience, I learned to equate vulnerability with a lack of strength. They faced their challenges with such grace and fortitude that it never seemed appropriate or safe to show weakness.

However, I have come to realize that vulnerability is not a weakness. It is a strength. It takes courage to be open and honest about our struggles and our journeys. By sharing my story, I can connect with others on a deeper level and offer them the hope and encouragement they need.

Writing is my way of embracing this vulnerability. It is my way of being transparent about my journey, the highs and lows, the triumphs and struggles. Through my words, I hope to minister to those who feel lost, to those who feel like they are navigating their journeys alone.

I want to use my experiences to show others that they are not alone. There is hope and healing available to all. I believe that by sharing our stories, we can create a community of support and understanding, a space where we can all grow and heal together.

So, here I am, ready to embrace this calling, ready to be vulnerable, and ready to minister through my writing. I hope that my words will resonate with you and that together, we can embark on a journey of healing, growth, and faith.

Embracing the call,

Erika