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Preparing For Your Esther Moment

Through the years, I’ve had this burning question in my heart: What does it mean to be a Christian woman? It’s easy to get caught up in the swirling stereotypes, the rhetoric about virtuous women and the arguments about that dreaded word “submission.” Something about this talk always pricks my spirit.

I try to redirect to God’s Word for answers. When I dig deep into the stories of the women in the Bible, I quickly discover they were all unique, broken, imperfect women who God chose for a drop-your-jaw surprising purpose – to bring people into the fold of His Kingdom.

One of my favorites is the beautiful and messy story of Esther. In just 10 chapters, the book of Esther gives us a sketch of a woman God chose to save His people in a tumultuous time. Of course, what I love about Esther is she was an unlikely candidate. She was young, inexperienced, an orphan, a foreigner. Not exactly qualities you would put on your resume for an application to be queen. Then again, Esther wasn’t applying to be queen. She was chosen. And that made all the difference.

God chose Esther. He chose to put her in an incredible place of influence “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). She was chosen for a job filling the shoes of a strong-willed former queen who got booted out of the kingdom for refusing to show off at her hubby’s soiree.

Esther had a God-given gift – beauty. But she had to be more than beautiful to get noticed. After all, she was surrounded by beautiful women. “And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her” (Esther 2:10). This tells me she was a woman of character and charisma. People were drawn to her. She exercised humility and discernment, following closely the wisdom of the king’s official who was in charge of all the women in the “Queen Beauty Pageant.”

The king chooses Esther as the next queen. This is her invitation into a place of influence in the kingdom.

Fast forward to the moment of crisis when Esther leverages this influence to help her people, the Jews. The king’s sidekick, brings his anti-Semitic views into policy-making. He convinces the king the Jews are different. They don’t bow down to the king and his officials. And they shouldn’t be tolerated. Haman is given the power to write an order to “destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews.”

Esther’s Jewish uncle begs her to intervene. Esther makes the choice to do something powerful at this point in the story. She pauses. She invites her people to pray. She prays. For three days. Esther prays before she takes any action. Then she moves forward in obedience with a plan to fight for her people.

She wisely invites the king and his sidekick to a party. She uses her knowledge of these men and what they love (hospitality and good parties) to bring them into a place where she can petition for her people. She speaks with humility and confidence. Her courage and influence saves the Jews.

The story of Esther teaches me that God wants courageous women who understand the power of discernment, prayer and obedience. He uses unlikely characters who don’t fit into a mold or stereotype. He doesn’t care if we are materially rich or poor or Democrat or Republican. He doesn’t care if we come from a good family or if we have attended church all our lives. He uses women who are willing to step out of their own comfortable place for the sake of others.

My own Esther moment came in January 2010. Not coincidentally, I was deep in a study of the book of Esther at the time. My husband and I had been peripherally involved in work in Haiti with a ministry started by his grandparents in 1947. We had been on several short-term trips but our hearts weren’t committed. We had our own jobs, our own comfortable community, our own life goals.

On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake rocked the already-impoverished country of Haiti. Our phones rang, our inboxes filled with friends and others looking to us for guidance on how to get involved with relief efforts. God shook our hearts with that earthquake too. For the first time, my husband and I felt God calling us to a deeper commitment to serving in Haiti “for such a time as this.”

We decided to jump in. Neither of us felt equipped. We didn’t feel ready. We weren’t even sure of the job description or project assignment before us. We knew God was calling us to work on behalf of His people in need.

Today, my husband is the director of a non-profit, working to offer a hand up to Haitians. When we initially moved to Haiti, I met a group of ladies in one of the churches who wanted to start a jewelry business. These women needed a means to buy food for their families, send their kids to school, even build houses. I just happened to have a love for creating and making jewelry.

God had already been growing in me a gift for teaching and a heart for discipleship. I said yes, and His wild story began to unfold. Today I am the director of The Haitian Bead Project working with 60 Haitian artisans. I spend part of my year working one-on-one with them and offering dignity to women who have never tasted it before. The other months I live in the U.S. working to share the story of God’s redemption.

I leave you with a few questions: How will you use your voice and influence to speak up on behalf of people today? How are you making yourself ready for an “Esther moment” in your life? I would venture to say that along the journey of asking yourself these questions you might find yourself on the road to becoming more wholly the woman God wants you to be.

Image Credit: Dorina Gilmore, The Haitian Bead Project

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May 5, 2014 Categories: GeneralTagged: compassion, inspirational

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather Fenton says

    July 6, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    It is a privilege to walk beside you as you use your voice and influence on behalf of others, Dorina! It is people like you and writing like this that remind me daily – because I seem to need the reminder daily – to consider my life a part of a story He has been writing all along for “such a time as this” I can’t yet imagine. Looking forward to reading more from you here!

    Reply
  2. joygraves says

    November 3, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    I ,feel God directed me too this page today ,I find my self in an Esther moment in my life. A friend of mine is relocating from
    texas, my space is small and I work out of my home… i didnt want her and her husband too go too a shelter. God put it on my heart too welcome them into my home until they can find a place… I try so hard to be aservant of God, as I was reading the purpose driven life I came across what it truly means to be a servant of God … it’s to go out of your comfort zone to help some one ,it should make us feel un easy . just like Esther she didnt pick her role God chose her.. Im say this because sometimes it get the bad end of the stick when helping someone, but today I feel this article and the chapter from the book , Purpose driven life was god ‘sway of letting me no im doing the right thing….thank you so much for this article and sharing your story…
    joy Graves……

    Reply

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Meet Dorina

Aloha, friend! If you love stories, you are in the right place. I write about grief, glory, running, food, and more. I hope these words inspire you to chase after God’s glory in your life today!

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Before Footer

I’ve created this compassionate resource for your personal journey with grief. This book was 8 years in the making and offers a comforting, giftable resource for those who are processing their own loss, whether of a loved one, a season of life, or a dream. Breathing Through Grief includes 25 short devotionals that each focus on a different aspect of grief from my personal experience.

The journal also includes special resources such as:
•
breathing exercises
•
reflection questions
•
soul care tips
•
ample writing space
•
advice on how to talk to children about death
•
suggestions on how to approach triggers
•
creative ways to honor a loved one’s memory

If you or someone close to you is walking through loss⁠, let the comforting words in Breathing Through Grief encourage you with the knowledge that you are not alone and bring you a semblance of peace as you continue forward on the road to healing.

The book releases Nov. 14. You can pre-order today. For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.

View

Sep 21

Open
I’ve created this compassionate resource for your personal journey with grief. This book was 8 years in the making and offers a comforting, giftable resource for those who are processing their own loss, whether of a loved one, a season of life, or a dream. Breathing Through Grief includes 25 short devotionals that each focus on a different aspect of grief from my personal experience.
The journal also includes special resources such as:
•
breathing exercises
•
reflection questions
•
soul care tips
•
ample writing space
•
advice on how to talk to children about death
•
suggestions on how to approach triggers
•
creative ways to honor a loved one’s memory
If you or someone close to you is walking through loss⁠, let the comforting words in Breathing Through Grief encourage you with the knowledge that you are not alone and bring you a semblance of peace as you continue forward on the road to healing.
The book releases Nov. 14. You can pre-order today. For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.
8 1

Last week I embarked on a new adventure. My sister and I were hired as the new chefs for the Open Door Sisterhood retreat in Priest Lake, Idaho. This annual 5-day retreat is part of a year-long experience carefully curated and nurtured by podcast hosts and authors Krista Gilbert and Alexandra Kuykendall. This gathering is designed for professional communicators and business women who want to infuse the hope of Christ into their work.

As I was chopping onions and adding fragrant spices to the pot, I felt great pleasure. My heart swelled with delight as my sister and I showed a small group of women how to roll lumpia just like our Grandma Cora taught us. I experienced joy in serving up Pancit, Bibimbap bowls, Butter Chicken, Pizzelles and Pumpkin tiramisu - all the while sharing the stories of how these foods connect to my family.

I remembered one of my favorite stories in the Bible after the resurrection of Christ. Jesus appears by the Sea of Galilee where his disciples were together. The group heads out to fish, but they don’t catch anything.

The next morning Jesus is standing on the shore waiting for them. He calls out, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

They answer no.

He urges the to cast their nets on the right sight of the boat. The result is a catch of 153 large fish - so many that the net is torn. Jesus urges them to bring the fish for a big fish fry on the shore. “Come and have breakfast.”

None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish (John 21:11-12, NIV)

We see Jesus’s joy in serving them. He takes time to make bread and prepare fish to nourish them well and then send them out. This is the power of food and sharing a meal across the table. It’s nourishment for the body and soul.

🫶🏾 Friend, what about you? Have you ever had that experience of doing something that brought you great joy and blessed others?

{Read the full reflection here: https://open.substack.com/pub/dorinaglorygram/p/follow-the-joy-set-before-you} #foodie #food #cookingtherapy #nourish #lovelanguage #powertothesisterhood #retreat @theopendoorsisterhood

View

Sep 18

Open
Last week I embarked on a new adventure. My sister and I were hired as the new chefs for the Open Door Sisterhood retreat in Priest Lake, Idaho. This annual 5-day retreat is part of a year-long experience carefully curated and nurtured by podcast hosts and authors Krista Gilbert and Alexandra Kuykendall. This gathering is designed for professional communicators and business women who want to infuse the hope of Christ into their work. 
As I was chopping onions and adding fragrant spices to the pot, I felt great pleasure. My heart swelled with delight as my sister and I showed a small group of women how to roll lumpia just like our Grandma Cora taught us. I experienced joy in serving up Pancit, Bibimbap bowls, Butter Chicken, Pizzelles and Pumpkin tiramisu - all the while sharing the stories of how these foods connect to my family. 
I remembered one of my favorite stories in the Bible after the resurrection of Christ. Jesus appears by the Sea of Galilee where his disciples were together. The group heads out to fish, but they don’t catch anything. 
The next morning Jesus is standing on the shore waiting for them. He calls out, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
They answer no. 
He urges the to cast their nets on the right sight of the boat. The result is a catch of 153 large fish - so many that the net is torn. Jesus urges them to bring the fish for a big fish fry on the shore. “Come and have breakfast.” 
None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish (John 21:11-12, NIV)
We see Jesus’s joy in serving them. He takes time to make bread and prepare fish to nourish them well and then send them out. This is the power of food and sharing a meal across the table. It’s nourishment for the body and soul.
🫶🏾 Friend, what about you? Have you ever had that experience of doing something that brought you great joy and blessed others?
{Read the full reflection here: https://open.substack.com/pub/dorinaglorygram/p/follow-the-joy-set-before-you} #foodie #food  #cookingtherapy #nourish #lovelanguage #powertothesisterhood #retreat @theopendoorsisterhood
26 4

I had a fantastic Sunday morning running the Diamond 10k! 🩵💎🦋 The weather was simply gorgeous! I could feel a cool breeze kissing my shoulders (most of the way) on the out-and-back course from the San Joaquin River Parkway Conservatory. My hubby Shawn was the race announcer. The runners got to cross the finish line under a chandelier and sparkly sun rays.

This is one of my fave races because of all the phenomenal women cheering each other on, the beautiful jewelry by Endure Jewelry (instead of traditional medals), and of course, the sparkly donuts. 🍩 🏃🏽‍♀️My friend and race director @sunny.runs always has every detail dialed in to make it a beautiful & community-oriented event! After a long week, this was definitely the breath of fresh air and reset I needed!

#glorychasers #walkrunsoar #eatprayrun #runningmotivation #running #runhappy

View

Sep 18

Open
I had a fantastic Sunday morning running the Diamond 10k! 🩵💎🦋 The weather was simply gorgeous! I could feel a cool breeze kissing my shoulders (most of the way) on the out-and-back course from the San Joaquin River Parkway Conservatory. My hubby Shawn was the race announcer. The runners got to cross the finish line under a chandelier and sparkly sun rays. 
This is one of my fave races because of all the phenomenal women cheering each other on, the beautiful jewelry by Endure Jewelry (instead of traditional medals), and of course, the sparkly donuts. 🍩 🏃🏽‍♀️My friend and race director @sunny.runs always has every detail dialed in to make it a beautiful & community-oriented event! After a long week, this was definitely the breath of fresh air and reset I needed! 
#glorychasers #walkrunsoar #eatprayrun #runningmotivation #running #runhappy
47 2

It was truly my joy to
design, cook, and serve up
11 meals
Over 5 days
Taking 13 women on a
World tour.
Nourishing souls.
Telling stories
through food.

#foodiefriday

View

Sep 16

Open
It was truly my joy to
design, cook, and serve up
11 meals
Over 5 days
Taking 13 women on a 
World tour.
Nourishing souls.
Telling stories
through food. 
#foodiefriday
31 4

📖 Join me today for a verse-by-verse reading and unpacking of one of my favorite psalms! Psalm 139 is a reminder that we are known by God and He is always with us.

Maybe you are feeling lonely today. Maybe you are wondering if He really cares about your grieving heart or sees you in the waiting. These honest and passionate words from David are a honey-sweet reminder that we are never alone.

I personally love thinking about God with knitting 🧶 needles designing and knitting each of us together in our mama’s womb. I love thinking about how with thread and needle 🪡 He hems me in.

🫶🏾What was your fave verse or image from Psalm 139?

#psalm #biblestudy #versebyverse #david #fearfullyandwonderfullymade #knitting #bibleverse #psalms

View

Sep 15

Open
📖 Join me today for a verse-by-verse reading and unpacking of one of my favorite psalms! Psalm 139 is a reminder that we are known by God and He is always with us.
Maybe you are feeling lonely today. Maybe you are wondering if He really cares about your grieving heart or sees you in the waiting. These honest and passionate words from David are a honey-sweet reminder that we are never alone.
I personally love thinking about God with knitting 🧶 needles designing and knitting each of us together in our mama’s womb. I love thinking about how with thread and needle 🪡 He hems me in. 
🫶🏾What was your fave verse or image from Psalm 139?
#psalm #biblestudy #versebyverse #david #fearfullyandwonderfullymade #knitting #bibleverse #psalms
20 6
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