I Honestly Just Want to be Comfortable

Our culture screams our right to comfort, doesn’t it?

Everything at our fingertips. Stores galore. Choices galore. Advertisements constantly drawing us toward things that will “make our lives better.”

I feel it. I’m drawn to it, like a moth to a flame.

Honestly, it almost seems like it has crept into our churches as well, becoming Christian country clubs where we can come, sit, be entertained, feel good about ourselves, check off the “good Christian” box & go home to the rest of our life.

And if we’re bored or the sermon isn’t captivating, well… why bother… maybe we just need a new church… maybe zoning out is the best bet so that we’re still “technically” going to church. We want to be comfortable at church.

Why Should I Go to Church?

Are we there to be served? Or to serve & praise God?

Are we there to feel good? Or to serve & praise God?

Are we there to get comfortable? Or to serve & praise God?

Why go to church? Why do you go?

And I am preaching to myself here, too, don’t get me wrong about that. These are questions I need to remember to ask myself from time to time when my attitude isn’t quite where it ought to be.

Going to church does not get me any brownie points with God. It doesn’t absolve any bad behaviors or attitudes from my week. It doesn’t earn me anything. God doesn’t need me to go to church. In fact, God doesn’t need ANYTHING from me at all.

But He still calls us to it… to worship Him TOGETHER… to serve TOGETHER… to live as a body with Jesus Christ as the Head. To build up (edify) & lift up (encourage) one another.

What Do You Think It Means to Worship?

Admittedly, in my 41 years of attending church, there are definitely weeks where I am just not feeling like I am getting anything out of the sermon or worship songs even.

So, when that happens… what do I do? What’s the point of it?

I think, to really answer this question well, we must strip it back to the meaning of one singular word—WORSHIP.

What is worship?

Is it getting dressed nicely & sitting in a pew so that you can check that “Christian box”?

Is it singing Christian-y songs in church?

Is it repeating a prayer or a Bible verse?

Is it listening to a sermon?

Um… nope.

Worship is a posture of the heart. Worship is a bowing down of your heart, your ideals, your beliefs, your understanding, your desires… & lifting up Him & the truth of His Word, the Bible.

What Does Worship Look Like

And to be honest, it’s hard to know when someone is being genuine in their worship just by looks alone–that’s why it’s not too great an idea to be looking around for it when you should be focusing on the posture of your own heart.

I once had a woman, who saw 20-something year old me sitting during the time we were asked to stand & sing, ask me to show respect & stand because “we’re singing now & I should not be sitting down.” What had I been doing? Feeling so overwhelmed by something in my life that I just sat down & prayed right there while others sang, calling out to God for rescue in a moment of deep hurting. I was worshipping… but it didn’t look the way some may think I “ought to” worship.

On the flip side, some may sing fervently & passionately, knowing every word, but inside, they’re thinking more about how great their voice sounds rather than truly bowing their heart to Him & lifting Him up in praise. (I have been guilty of that, too, on days when my voice surprises me.)

But true worship isn’t about appearances at all. In fact, even if we are SURE someone is NOT worshipping, as God whispered conviction over my heart years ago: “Whether or not they are truly worshipping should NOT determine whether or not I am truly worshipping.” Ouch, but true.

Worship Is About the Heart

Looking back, especially to my few years at Liberty University getting my degree in Business Marketing, I learned what true worship looked like.

It wasn’t raising my hands or bowing my head or even kneeling at my seat.

But it WAS a willingness to let my pride be washed away so my heart could elevate Him over myself, which often included a lifting of my hands a bowing of my head, & sometimes even a kneeling at my seat. Because it became more about laying aside others’ opinions of me so that I could lift Him up.

There was so much zeal, so much zest, so much LIFE in my life back then.

Some Settings Make It So Easy to Live a Life of Worship

But you know what? Everything in my life back then was always, consistently pointing me back to WORSHIP.

My professors, prayers before classes, weekly convocation, discussions in the dorms, student leadership, Bible Studies, church… everything in my life pointed out to me the “WHY” I ought to live each day—JESUS.

AKA to live a life of Worship.

And because I was surrounded by reminders & testimonials of seeing God always at work around me, it was easy to want to be all in—I could see very clearly that He very much is deserving of my everything.

So, even though surrender is still hard—it still requires a laying down of self & what I want or believe or think, in exchange for His ways… surrender to Him felt always like the better choice—because it always is.

Everything in my life pointed back to Him, back to worship… & as a result, I was encouraged to lay more of my life down to Him.

And as a result of that… joy was a defining feature of my life.

Why Do You Go to Church?

We ought to go to church….

Not because it makes you feel good, but because He is good.

Not because it is always easy, but because it is always worth it.

Not because you feel you ought to, but because He deserves it despite however you feel.

What Happens When the Zest Fades?

It’s been 15 years since I graduated (& that is WITH waiting until I was in my mid-twenties to go back to college).

Not everything in my world points back to Him nowadays. Every discussion around me no longer encourages my focus back to Him. Distractions are everywhere & testimonials are few & far between at times.

And my craving for comfort seems to win far too often.

I mentioned on social media last night how I feel like I have lost my zest for life. I feel more somber, more gray, more tired.

“Peppy & full of life” doesn’t really describe me most days anymore. “Tired” seems more accurate.

“I Will Praise You in This Storm”

My life doesn’t really feel like it’s in a “storm,” but more like a fog has settled over it. More clouds than sunshine maybe.

And I am tempted to pray for that zest to return once more—to feel that alive again when I worship.

But true worship is not defined by how much zeal I feel. It is tested in the murky waters, too, when it doesn’t come so easily. I realize that oftentimes, I am tempted not to be intentional in my worship when I am just not “in it.” As if that were the point of worship.

It’s not.

Worship Is About Him

Worship isn’t about me or how good it feels to praise God. Worship is about Him… His deserving, His worthiness, His holiness, His goodness, His grace, His everything.

And you know what… it’s been a good reminder for me, not feeling so full of zeal & zest… to realize my worship is not about me anyway.

Do I crave the type of worship where my heart was all in, full of joy, full of zest, head low, hands raised, heart lifting Him up in all of His splendor? Oh yes, for sure.

But maybe not yet. Maybe right now, right here is where I need to be… learning to praise Him even when it doesn’t feel so easy, when I’m more tired & He’s still the same.

Go to Church Anyway

It is a humbling reminder of how great He is even when I don’t feel so great.

He never changes. He is still & always will be worthy to be praised.

And that is why I should go to church… Even without my zest. Because I need community. I need edifying. I need fellowship & testimonials. I need reminding.

I need to worship.

On those days where I feel out of it, somber, gray, tired… when the sermon “isn’t hitting” & it falls flat on my heart… when I don’t feel like I am “getting anything out of it,” I can take a moment to remember that none of that is a factor in whether or not my God deserves my worship.

Have a Surrendered Heart Anyway

I can still bow my head through my numbness & be honest with Him:

“God, forgive me for not feeling “into it.” You are worthy regardless of how I may be feeling. Help me to learn more about You through Your Word today. Help me to be an encouragement to others today. Help me to serve You well in the ministries You have encouraged me to help with, ever pointing them to find their lasting hope in You alone. Help me to remember who You are & all that You deserve from me. Help me to serve You faithfully. Help me to live with a surrendered heart, willing to obey… even when it doesn’t create happy zest feeling in my life. You are fully deserving, no matter how I may be feeling in any given season of my life. Thank You for never ever giving up on me, though I deserve it more than I could ever even realize. You are worthy to be praised. Always. AMEN.”

He Is Deserving

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised….” (Psalm 48:1a)

“You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)

“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100)

Shine HOPE, by determining to praise/worship God & go to church anyway, even when it doesn’t always give you “happy feels”… even when life isn’t comfortable… even when you feel gray… because no matter what, He is worthy to be praised.

Hope Mail (June 2025)

FOR A LIMITED TIME – Only available during the month of June! Enjoy free shipping on your Hope Mail package when you subscribe every month!    

Your purchase of June Hope Mail provides one full day of school for a girl in an area of extreme poverty.        

The stunning Sea Breeze Earrings are beaded in a workshop committed to fighting child marriage and creating dignified jobs for women in India. These drop earrings feature dusty blue and white beads with peach moonstone accent beads to complete the look.   

Each Hope Mail comes packaged in a handmade Sari Pouch, to create a thoughtfully curated look.   

***Purchase this month’s Hope Mail, using the “SHOP HERE” link below, to create safe job opportunities with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty in India where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops and human traffickers.***

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 6.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

June 202

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!

God Never Contradicts Himself

There are a lot of verses in the Bible that, upon first inspection, can seem to contradict one another, but aside from a point I highlighted in a previous post, where “In the Bible–Audience Matters,” sometimes we just need to take a moment to consider both sides of the same coin.

For example, the Bible warns against vain repetitions in our prayer, because doing so implies that God doesn’t already know…  but it also instructs us to “continue steadfastly in prayer.”

“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matthew 6:7) (emphasis mine)

“… continuing steadfastly in prayer.” (Romans 12:12b)

So, what exactly is the Bible getting at here? Our motivation behind what/how we pray.

Vain Repetitions…

Is there a feeling of pressure? As if there is a desperation calling you to “just repeat the prayer as much as you can so that God will listen & hear you?” That would be the vain repetitions God warns against. He doesn’t need us to tell Him multiple times–He knew before you even asked Him. We also don’t need to feel we need to manipulate or strong arm or convince Him. Although He may not answer the way YOU think is best… He DELIGHTS in helping you. (Psalm 147:11)

Think of your absolute best friend, your best friend of a sibling, your spouse, boyfriend, etc. If they were to have a problem they know you could easily help with & they begged & begged & begged repeatedly, as if they feel you wouldn’t care about helping them otherwise… wouldn’t that be kind of offensive? It would show that they doubt whether you care enough to help them & feel they have to REALLY convince you in order for you to care about them. Ouch.

Think of how God feels. He already even knows your heart & your need. He DELIGHTS in helping you. How do you think it feels when you repeatedly plead with Him as if He doesn’t?

Why Do You Pray?

On the other hand, at least for me, I can have a tendency to pray & then act. Pray & then do. Pray & then figure it out myself. Pray & then disregard my need for Him. Basically, praying out of habit versus waiting on Him at all–just doing it myself, my way, with just a little dash of prayer “for good measure.”

That is also offensive, isn’t it?

If I really believed He DELIGHTS in helping me & that He is MORE THAN capable (Ephesians 3:20-21)… why would I treat Him like prayer is just the backup plan or the little bit extra “just in case” cherry on top? Ouch again.

Continued Reliance

No, the staying at it is not to convince Him enough to help me… it’s not to somehow “activate” His power… it’s not a backup/”just in case” measure… it is THE answer.

It is to live in a constant state of “You, God. YOU are where my help comes from. YOU are the answer. YOU are my source of wisdom. YOU ALONE. Nothing else. I need YOU.”

No matter what you need. No matter the distress. No matter what you can’t figure out. No matter what you can’t do on your own. No matter what brick wall you hit. No matter the temptation. No matter the fear. No matter the lack. No matter the obstacle. No matter the worry. No matter the hurt. No matter the confusion. No matter the lack of direction. No matter the trial. No matter the problem. No matter the question. No matter the whatever else you can think of….

He IS THE answer. Not AN answer. Do you pray like that?

Why Do You Pray? Vain Repetitions VS Continued Reliance

Why do you pray? To get your way? To “convince” God to listen to you? To “convince” God to care? As an extra measure, “just in case”? To “get” God to carry out YOUR plan that YOU figured out that YOU think is best?

Why do you pray?

Or do you pray to bow yourself before an ALMIGHTY GOD Who made heaven & earth… & YOU? … to trust He alone is your true source of hope & help & wisdom & strength & power to do what you cannot?

That’s why we KEEP praying, because whenever we doubt, it is a determining to CONTINUE again & again to remind ourselves to always GO BACK to the ONLY One we KNOW we can turn to as our help & our hope in EVERY circumstance—to GOD ALONE.

Why do you pray?

Shine HOPE by putting your continued hope in HIM AS your answer–Him alone…. in continued reliance upon Him.

(*Read these previous posts about prayer & its purpose: 1.)“Intentionality–Making Prayer a Priority,” 2.)“Pray Continually–What Does Prayer Actually Accomplish?”, 3.)“Why Pray When God Already Knows?”*)

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 6.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Enda Necklace (INDIA)

When you shop the beautiful Enda Necklace, you are creating safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops.  Enda is an Irish name, meaning “like a bird” and it is a sign of endurance or a reminder of one’s ability to rise to new heights. The Enda Necklace is beautifully beaded with turquoise-colored glass beads, featuring dangling pearl charms throughout. Wear alone or style with other necklaces for a layered look!

***Purchase this beautifully handcrafted Enda Necklace, by clicking the “Shop Here” link below, & help empower women in INDIA out of poverty!***

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 John 1:5-6)

Do You Call Yourself a Christian?

Do you call yourself a Christian?

Do you know what it means to call yourself a Christian? It is like calling yourself “little Christ” or “Christ follower.” Would you say you live like those descriptions were true?

Calling yourself a Christian is not an automatic “get out of hell free card.” There is no power in giving yourself the title.

The power is in Christ, not you.

Just Because Jesus Paid for [It]… Doesn’t Mean We Should Live Excusing [It]…

But then… knowing it is not of myself, knowing I need & rely on Jesus Christ paying my debts before God… one can be tempted to think we’re free to live how we want… because Jesus paid for it.

But, if you walk/live according to your own rules & your own ideals, can you really say you’re a “Christ follower”?

If we live counter to God’s ways because “Jesus paid for it,” aren’t we just making a mockery of the sacrifice Jesus paid for us? (Hint: in that case, we are.)

Don’t Make Excuses for Your Sin

I find it surprisingly & shockingly common to see people who would label themselves as a Christian also blatantly live completely opposite to what God’s Word says.

Whether it’s sex outside of marriage, getting drunk with friends, pursuing same-sex romantic relationships, regularly using foul language, gossiping & painting someone else in a negative light to others, harboring bitterness, regularly screaming at your kids (guys, I GET it—overstimulation is so very much real—but still, we must learn to PRAY & bow down before God with it to replace the knee-jerk outbursts that dishonor God & hurt the children—I don’t have kids, but I have been one), cutting off people on the road & driving aggressively…. The list goes on.

If you live with these attitudes, behaviors, or actions, while actively excusing them away or thinking nothing of them… well, be careful. Don’t make excuses for your sin.

Imagine having a Jesus bumper sticker on your car while driving recklessly & being a jerk on the road. Not a great representation of the Name that bumper sticker represents, huh?

Same goes when we call ourselves a Christian while also living counter to how God asks us to live.

We Are ALL a Work in Progress, Though

I get it. We are ALL a work in progress. I am NOT talking about little bad habits that spike up from time to time & that which we have to keep bowing down to God for His help in changing us from the inside out. That will be a LIFELONG process for ALL of us.

I am instead talking about perpetual sins that we excuse away as “not that bad” or for which we have decided we know better than God already in that area & we’re okay living exactly the way WE want, as if that were actually true… WHILE calling ourselves a “Christ-follower.” Uh-oh.

It’s better for you to just not call yourself a Christian at all… taking off the bumper sticker, so to speak… so as not to misrepresent the Word of God or Jesus Christ to the world.

God’s Word is TRUTH, whether we have “decided it is” or not. Fact is, we didn’t make the world… HE did. He alone gets to determine what defines TRUTH. NOT us, whom He made.

Do People See Christ When They See You?

How do you represent Him?

What would the world assume incorrectly about God by viewing your attitudes, behaviors, or actions?

Would they see grace? Would they see Truth? Would they see accurately the mind & heart of God?

God doesn’t need your PR efforts. He doesn’t need His Word fluffed or prettied up. He doesn’t need help making His Word more palatable.

He calls us to obedience–even when it doesn’t make any sense to us: His creation. He calls us as His holy priesthood, His ambassadors. We represent Him, whether we’re good at it or not so much.

How do you represent Him?

Be a Light for Him to the World, Even in Your Imperfections

Don’t make excuses for your sin. Don’t sugarcoat it. Call it out for what it is. Repent of it. Ask God to change your heart. Bow your ideals & your ideas to Him to be changed how HE wills it.

Who do you make to be LORD in your life? HIM? Or you?

Shine HOPE by laying down your excused habitual sin habits, turning from them, asking God’s forgiveness for it, bowing it before the King of kings & LORD of lords, Creator of heaven & earth. And by living your life as a truer representation of being called “little Christ” to this hurting world that needs hope only He can provide. POINT to HIM with your whole self & whole life. Not your will, but HIS be done. Amen & amen.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 6.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Adventure Bundle (USA & DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)

The Adventure Bundle combines style, purpose, and impact in one thoughtful package.

It includes our ethically crafted olive-green t-shirt with a classic fit featuring the message “Adventure with Purpose” and is ethically made in Nicaragua using 100% U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Standards. Designed with care for both people and the planet, this piece is as ethical as it is stylish!  

Paired with the tee is the Kairo Bracelet made by human trafficking survivors in the DR. Each stretch-to-fit Kairo Bracelet features a striking combination of grounding black lava beads, warm brown wooden beads, and a dainty gold accent bead at its center. The natural textures and earthy tones make it a versatile piece for any style.

*** Purchase this bundle, using the “Shop Here” link below, to support a safe house in the Dominican Republic, providing education, legal services, safe housing, & trauma counseling for survivors of human trafficking. ***

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!

We All Have Trauma of Sorts… But We Also Have a Choice…

We cannot always control our circumstances… but we can always control our response.

All of us have trauma of some sort, whether it was unkind words that stuck, or bullying, or a tough childhood, or loss, or betrayal or injury or witnessing something awful. So many other things as well.

And we may downplay it, as if it isn’t actually trauma because we think it may not be as bad or as extreme as someone else’s trauma, but if it has had a negative impact on how you view yourself, others, life, or God… it’s trauma.

It’s important, I think, to dig up that trauma & face it/deal with it. Not to rehash it or grow in bitterness, but to avoid stuffing it or avoiding it when what we ought to be doing is turning it over to God by praying through it & finding healing in it… moving forward in freedom versus hiding from it in fear.

We have no control over our past, but we do have full control on how we respond to it.

Talk about TRAUMA

Other than Jesus, Joseph is my favorite example of this attitude of choosing to respond rightly even in the midst of just absolutely terrible circumstances.

(***You can read this gut-wrenching story laced with grace & honor & a trust in God that rose above every harsh circumstance, in its entirety, in Genesis 37-50. Easily one of my favorite stories told about in the Bible.***)

Most adored by his father (don’t show favoritism parents, just don’t do it), hated by his brothers because of it, Joseph was thrown into a deep pit to be left trapped to die by his brothers who resented him.

His eldest brother thought to just scare him, leave him in the pit (allegedly to die) so he could secretly free him later… but when big brother left the scene, the rest of the brothers decided they would make more profit from their hatred by SELLING their own brother, Joseph, into slavery.

Hated, thrown in a pit, his life threatened… to being sold as a slave by his very own flesh & blood.

That’s brutal.

He Couldn’t Control His Circumstances… But He Still Chose to Respond Rightly

But, did Joseph lash out & blame a poor response on all of that trauma he had most definitely just experienced?

The Bible doesn’t say. What it does say is that he did his very best at being a slave, serving his master honorably. So much so that his owner took notice that God was literally blessing & flourishing everything Joseph was put in charge of doing or managing.

Then, that same master who praised him & gave him power over ALL of the workings of his household had a wife who got mad that Joseph refused her advances in order to show respect & honor to his master, her husband. So, he got imprisoned because the angry, rejected, & likely embarrassed wife accused him wrongly of attempting indecency with her.

Joseph Kept His Eyes above the Storm… He Trusted GOD

But, did Joseph lash out & blame all of that trauma for it?

Again, the Bible doesn’t say. But it does say that he did his very best at being a prisoner, & that much like his recent master, the prison guard witnessed the very same thing about God obviously blessing everything he set his hand to & therefore put him in charge of the other prisoners. Like, what?

Not exactly how I would initially respond, that’s for sure. I would be demanding my rights!

Joseph understood–He couldn’t always control his circumstances… but he could for sure always control his response.

And let’s not neglect to mention that he felt so sure in his right responses because of one very important thing… he trusted that God had a plan & that God was in control in all of it somehow–even through all of that horrible trauma he had experienced.

Trauma Hurts… But it Doesn’t Define Us… & It Doesn’t Need to Control Us… & We Still Have a Choice in How We Respond to It…

I can’t say my sisters have ever hated me, but they for sure have never plotted to push me into a pit & leave me for dead (not to my knowledge anyway), nor have they ever sold me into slavery.

I’ve for sure been falsely accused & misunderstood & been lied about many times in my 41 years, with some just not feeling concerned with clearing the air, seeking reconciliation, or hearing my side of the story… content to dislike me for whatever they believe to be true about me–that kind of thing hurts, doesn’t it? But I’ve never been to prison for it like Joseph.

I have had plenty of very unkind things said to or about me that still ring in my head from time to time. I have been bullied, mocked, betrayed, & ostracized.

I have lived in an area of Japan where English wasn’t spoken much aka so much isolation, been through a pandemic of even more prolonged isolation, & have survived a once-in-20ish-years super typhoon of mass destruction. I have witnessed a whole lot of very real pain of people I care a whole lot about.

The Hurts Are Real… But So Is My God

I have wrestled through seasons of deep depression throughout my life, where suicidal thoughts were near daily & have gone through intense seasons of loneliness when I was in a place where I couldn’t seem to make any connections despite my efforts… where isolation was a very real reality for me.

It may not be the type of trauma that everyone can relate to or understand. It may not be as severe as a cancer diagnosis or losing a loved one… but trauma it is all the same.

And I couldn’t choose whether any of it happened to me.

But I can choose how I respond to it.

I can trust (& now see) that God always sees the future & has a plan & WILL always use every traumatic experience BOTH for my good & for His glory. Always. Every single time He has done so.

God Never Wastes Our Traumatic Experiences

Whether it is to strengthen my character or teach me compassion or give me personal perspective over the struggles of others so that I know how to better relate & be with them in it/through it. Whether it’s to see Him come through for me over & over & over again so that my trust in Him would solidify… so that it could anchor my soul… so that I could know rest in Him is possible despite the circumstances.

To see that the impossibilities He promises, through Him, are actually possible.

We need to take every opportunity to look for how we can trust God above all of our circumstances, honoring Him over self in all of our circumstances, knowing He has a plan & has it all figured out & knowing we just have to be good stewards of what we’ve got right now—through the good, the bad, & even the horrible.

Because God never wastes our traumatic experiences.

Think Like Joseph…

Even if a family member threatens your life.

Even if you were to get sold into slavery by your own family.

Even if you work hard & do your very best, only to have people accuse you of doing something you would never dream of doing… not leaving any room for reconciliation or hearing your side of the story.

Even if you are thrown into prison for a crime you never committed.

Even if you are hated & scorned, spit on & beaten, wrongly accused & everyone wants you dead. (Isaiah 53)

Even if you came to give your life for theirs but all they do is scream for your death. (1 Peter 2:24) (Luke 23:20-25)

Even if no one understands you.

Even if you feel alone in this life.

Even if the hard doesn’t ever seem to stop.

We just can’t blame our trauma.

We have to choose to respond in a way that gives God honor anyway, trusting that God has a plan every step of this very hard way. Trusting He will provide a way through it all with His help, every step.

Where Have You Allowed Your Trauma to Call the Shots in Your Own Life?

Where’s the stronghold in your own life?

What are you allowing to run the narrative?

What are you using as an excuse for inaction, for a bad attitude, for doubting God, for simmering in bitterness, for closing yourself off from others…? What excuse are you using?

Do you need to pray & ask God to help you better honor Him despite your poor circumstances?

Do you need to pray & ask God to help you trust that He will always have a plan & that He will always use every awful circumstance both for your good & for His glory?

Shine HOPE by recognizing why we can’t blame trauma… by choosing to give God glory & honor anyway, despite it… by choosing to trust that God is ultimately in control no matter how bad the current circumstances may be… by choosing to trust that God has a plan that you may not see, a plan that is 100% always both for your good & for His glory.

AMEN & AMEN.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 6.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Daisy Gift Set (INDIA)

A thoughtful gift set to share with someone you love! Create fair paying jobs for women in a safe working environment in India when you purchase the Daisy Gift Set. This impactful set includes the Daisy Raffia Studs and the Daisy Handbag Charm. The Daisy Raffia Studs support women with fair-paying jobs, helps educate girls, fights child marriage, and empowers families leaving slums in India. The Daisy Handbag Charm is also created in a safe working environment for women in India to earn a dignified wage.

***Order this set, using the “Shop Here” link, to empower women in India out of poverty!***

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!

Good Thing God Fills in Our Gaps

Well, here I am sitting down to write & nothing is coming to mind. I don’t feel like I have anything new to talk about.

But I guess that’s not entirely a bad thing, because this blog isn’t really supposed to be about me being profound. Its main purpose is really to point to where I find my hope… to use my failures & shortcomings to point you to trust Him & obey Him & live for His glory through every season of life—good or bad or all the in betweens.

He is truly what it’s all about.

I am nobody special. And that is okay.

Boy, Do I Fall Short

To be honest, despite trusting on Jesus to pay my sin at an early age, I grew up still testing boundaries & doubting God, wanting to assert myself & my ideals. I misunderstood a lot about who God is. I thought He was all about rules & controlling me… & that honestly made me squirmy. I wanted a reason to doubt Him so I wouldn’t have to follow all the rules. I had a rebellious heart.

God really was gracious & patient & kind as He grew me. No “I told you so” responses, but always met with patient grace.

I didn’t know how to tell what was God’s voice, my voice, or Satan’s even.

I’m inconsistent in my devotion to Him even. Sometimes I am on fire & am in complete surrender to Him, trusting Him completely with no hesitation. Other times, I’m selfish & self-focused & have a bad attitude about everything.

Sometimes I doubt God’s best & try my own way, EVEN STILL!  (I mean really… you’d think I’d learned better by now & be immune to that.)

Oftentimes, I begin to trust & rely on His blessings more than on Him Who supplied those blessings.

I have to pray for help righting my attitude more often than I’d really like to admit.

I would not be my first choice.

God Can Use the Unusable

I never thought I would ever lead Bible studies, be on student leadership in college, teach Sunday school for all different ages from K4 to college age girls, be a lead camp counselor, disciple others or lead accountability, design/launch a website, do a weekly blog for 6+ years. Me? No… I was not good enough for that.

All those inadequacies I mentioned were why I was so scared to start this blog back in 2018.

Like, choose someone else, God. You know everything, so You ought to know best all the reasons I’m just not it.

But here I am. God reminded me all the way back then & even today as I feel so completely void of anything useful to tell you… it’s not about me really anyway.

He’s Worth It

It’s about me showing up for Him anyway.

Hard days? He’s worth it.

Good days? He’s worth it.

Selfish days? He’s worth it.

Victorious days? He’s worth it.

Complete & utter failure days? He’s worth it.

Right attitude days? He’s worth it.

Bad attitude days? He’s worth it.

Lazy days? He’s worth it.

Sick days? He’s worth it.

Have very little to offer Him? He’s worth it.

He Can Where I Can’t

It’s not about how much I have to offer Him–God can supply. It’s about how much He has to offer us, through His Son, Jesus Christ.

I can’t. He can.

I’ve got nothing. He is infinite.

I fail. He doesn’t.

I fall short. He supplies.

I get it wrong. He is sovereign.

I hurt Him. He forgives.

I live in a perpetual state of undeserved GRACE. I can’t earn it or deserve it. But God keeps on giving it.

I’m Nothing… & That’s Okay

And that’s why I’m here each week. Not because I feel I’m profound or better or worth listening to or anything else… but because He’s worth it.

I’m nothing… & that’s okay.

Do you justify not serving or honoring Him with something because you don’t feel you’ve got what it takes… that you’re not good enough… neglecting to consider He can fill in that gaps wherever you lack & still use your life for His glory as you seek to obey & honor Him with your life?

It doesn’t have to make sense to you. You don’t have to be your first choice. You just have to be willing to show others that He is absolutely & always worth showing up for.

Shine HOPE by living that reality every day around every person God chooses to put in your path. Even on the days where you feel you really have nothing special to offer anybody.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 6.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Calla Carryall Tote (INDIA)

Create the opportunity for women in India to earn a dignified income when you shop and carry the Calla Carryall Tote. With its iconic look, this faux croc-leather styled bag has room for everything you need to carry with you as a woman on the go! Each ethically made tote includes a snap closure, padded interior laptop sleeve, interior zipper pocket, slip pockets, and is perfect for your everyday essentials!

***Use the “SHOP Here” link below to purchase this beautifully handcrafted bag & to empower women in India out of poverty!***

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!

God Takes Care of His People

God DOES promise prosperity to those who obey Him, but that may not look the way you think it will.

It doesn’t mean a lack of hardships, nor does it mean having all your dreams come true or things always going the way you want. It’s not a get rich quick scheme.

(Genesis 39:3; Deuteronomy 29:9; Psalms 1:1-3; Proverbs 11:25; Proverbs 13:21; Proverbs; 28:25)

And motive matters. If you are obeying Him TO prosper from Him… you’re missing the point. You can’t manipulate God. He knows your thoughts & motives better than you do yourself.

This is a humble type of obedience. An obedience that says, “Your will, NOT my will be done.…” An obedience that says, “even IF things stay hard & don’t go my way….”

And it’s more of having an outlook that says, “I don’t NEED to strive for self, because He will care for me just fine as I seek to obey Him over living for myself.” (Matthew 6:30-33)

Joseph Honored God ABOVE Demanding His Rights in Unfair Circumstances

Think of Joseph, one of my favorite examples of humble obedience. He was sold into slavery as a TEENAGER by his OWN brothers who actually first considered KILLING HIM instead (less than ideal & definitely a painful betrayal) (Genesis 37). He didn’t get to scream his “rights” but instead did his very best living as a slave who honored God & submitted to authority, even though it felt his master had no right to hold that authority over him because of how it came about (Genesis 39).

But God prospered him in all of his work because Joseph was faithful & obedient even when circumstances were beyond unfair. God prospered him so much, in fact, that Potipher (his owner) put him in control of all the affairs of his home because everything Joseph was in charge of ended up prospering. (Genesis 39:2-6)

And then, after all of that prospering, he was STILL falsely accused & wrongly imprisoned. (Genesis 39)

But again, Jospeh humbly submitted & was obedient to God in all he did, despite it being grossly unfair treatment. Even though his reputation was smeared for something he did not do.

And again, God prospered all he did so much so that the prison guards left him in complete charge of the other prisoners. (Genesis 39:20-23)

We Can Rest in Him. We Can Trust in Him. We Can Believe in Him.

There are other examples you notice of God prospering people written about in the Bible that you get to witness as you read through the chapters (Abraham, Job—after much heartache & loss, King Solomon…), but in every case, the prospering is as a result of humble obedience & submission to God’s will & way & is not necessarily a prospering without hardship, but despite it.

What can we draw from this information, if not as a way to manipulate God into “getting what we want”?

We can rest in the fact that despite hardship, unfair treatment, needing to submit to authority even when the authority doesn’t seem to have a right to be your authority… despite any of that, if our focus turns from our unfair or harsh circumstances to a determination to humbly submit to God’s will in it, we can be absolutely assured that God will take care of us—even when no one else will.

We can trust that God has things under control & that God will provide when all odds are against us.

We can believe God has us no matter what our circumstances are.

Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Eternity… Not Right Now

Our job is to be willing to submit. To be willing to honor undeserved authority, trusting that God is big enough to fill in every place where they fail. (1 Peter 2:18; 1 Peter 3:1-2; 2 Peter 2:10b-11; Titus 3:1-2)

Our job is to work unto God & not unto man, so that whether appreciated or noticed or not… to do right anyway because we know that it honors & pleases God. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Our job is to trust God to provide where others won’t, even when you have no one to advocate for you. (Psalm 23; Genesis 12:11-20; Genesis 20; 1 Peter 3)

Our job is to be obedient, humbly to God, despite the circumstances, no matter how undesirable those circumstances may be.

God Prospers Us as We Humbly Obey Him

Life may not go the way you want. Your dreams are not guaranteed to all come true. You are not promised a mansion with horses & a wait staff. Prosperity may not look the way you imagine.

But you can stand firm on the fact that God takes care of & richly blesses those who determine to please & honor Him despite their circumstances, humbly submitting to Him in ALL circumstances… even in the hard & very hard.

You don’t get a great catered-to-you life nor automatically get what you want by obeying Him. You can’t earn your way to heaven by obeying Him (only through believing on Jesus through admitting your sin & turning to Him as Lord of your life). Your dreams won’t come true because you obey Him. But God will provide for you & bless you as you aim to live for Him over yourself.

Shine HOPE by trusting your future to Him, in the good, the bad, & the ugliest. He sees. He knows. He rewards faithfulness.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 6.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

May 2025 Hope Mail

Your purchase of May Hope Mail provides one day of school for a girl in an area of extreme poverty.       

The stunning Willow Earrings are crafted in a workshop committed to fighting child marriage and creating dignified jobs for women in India. These drop leaf earrings feature green, teal, and silver seed beads beautifully set in gold-tone frames to complete the look. 

Each Hope Mail comes packaged in a handmade Sari Pouch, to create a thoughtfully curated look.  

*** Purchase this month’s Hope Mail, using the “SHOP HERE” link below, to create safe jobs with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty in India where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops and human traffickers.***

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!

Who Needs Sleep?

Well, this morning, at 8am, I sat at my laptop, ready to begin writing my blog for the week… after having not slept a single bit last night.

If you remember, I had that wonderful, great 4-day weekend I was so looking forward to last weekend, only to be sick for all of it & get nothing done on my list.

Fast forward back to THIS weekend, & I am thinking redemption is HERE. I am going to MAKE UP for last weekend! YES!

Oh, silly me.

Sick Again? Didn’t We Do This Last Weekend?

Friday, I woke up nauseated for no reason. I am used to my yearly ish dehydration sickness battle & this was not that. It also wasn’t as brutal as food poisoning—had that before, too. AND, it didn’t feel as bad as a stomach bug either. Literally only a couple “bathroom runs” & finally threw up only once (but, warning for tmi a LOT) sometime in the evening. I just felt stuck all day. No videos, no games, no movement or I felt it bubbling up. Just lying still with nothing to entertain me ALL DAY while feeling nauseated.

 Saturday, my wonderful husband remembered only a couple days prior that he had forgotten to tell me about a boat trip he had signed us up for that day. AND, what I expected to be the usual 3-4 hour boat trip was a SIX-HOUR boat trip, plus 40 plus minute drive each way. That day was shot, basically. Beautiful & fun with swimming, snorkeling, sea turtles, tropical fish, dolphins, sunshine, sunset, cool breeze. But gone nonetheless.

And Sunday? Stayed home from church SICK—with another cold! I cannot catch a break. Wasn’t I just sick with a cold all last weekend?

So, then I slept zero hours last night because my nose was like I had plastic wrap wrapped tightly over my nose, with zero airflow, so if my mouth even THOUGHT about slumping closed, I felt like I was literally being suffocated. Needless to say, it made it pretty hard for me to let myself relax enough to feel that again after the first few times.

Now that we’re all caught up… 8am at my laptop… no sleep… sick AGAIN… zero productivity AGAIN.

*deep sigh*

Pay Attention, Michelle!

I feel like God is trying to teach me something about trusting Him.

I mean, last week it was all “God AS my strength reminders” + “Jesus went through MUCH worse than this VOLUNTARILY to die for MY sin.” (Read that post, here: “What to Do When You’ve Got Nothing Left.”)

This week, I am feeling like my plans just are not working out. And they’re good plans.

Trying to Get Ready

My sister & nephew are coming to visit our home for the FIRST TIME since we moved overseas THIRTEEN years ago. FIRST time. I want it to be perfection.

And not because I think she’ll judge me or be disappointed in me. No, I know her well enough to show the messy & feel confident she’ll still love me without judgment. No problems there.

But, this is her FIRST time. Probably her ONLY time. She won’t get to see a before & after. Only one or the other. I want it to be a summation of all the years my hubs & I have spent growing in our marriage & life & home together. I want her to see it at its very absolute best if she’s only going to get to see it once.

Plus, these are things I want to accomplish anyway, & having a deadline to work toward is a good motivational kick-in-the-rear to get moving on those projects.

Crafting My Plan to Stay on Task

Back in January, I recognized clearly how busy life gets. How easily “I have so much time to get things done” can turn into “oh no! I only have 2 weeks left!”

So, I started a general “20 Tasks in 20 Weekends” list to help me track with the ticking clock. I made a list of the 20 most desirable to-do projects I want done before they arrive, while also listing the dates of the next 20 weekends.

I’ve done pretty well, but not where I’d like to be & so I have been trying to spend a weekend these last few weekends just knocking several almost-done ones off to help level the numbers. But… well you see how well THAT’S going.

My Personal Strength Is but a Mirage… But So Is Any Semblance of Control in My Own Life

It’s almost like God is DELIBERATELY pulling the rug out from under me, as if to say again & again, “remember, Michelle, you are not the one who is in control here.”

So, I don’t know. Maybe God will just have tons to be left undone & I will have to settle for their one & only experience being the “before” experience rather than its shiny final form.

Maybe God wants to show me how no matter what curveballs life may throw at me, they have nothing on Him & He will come in clutch & just make it to all work out when it seems I don’t have close to the amount of time I will need to complete it all.

I don’t know. God does. I don’t.

When Things Don’t Go as Planned… God Is Still in Control

Basically, I need to just rest in my being sick state. I need to rest easy & know that whatever happens, it’s in His hands completely. He doesn’t lack control for one single second. He knows what will happen before it happens. He can also very well make the impossible happen.

And He can also show me that even if it doesn’t work out at all as I’d really hoped it would… He has a reason somehow in that, too. Even if I can’t at all see it.

Because when things don’t go as planned… God is still in control.

Amen? Amen.

What Holds You Back & Stresses You Out?

What keeps getting pushed back against your preparations & efforts that is stressing you out? Have you thought to trust that God sees & God knows? That He can help you? That He has a plan in what just looks like a mess right now to you? That you’re not in this alone? That His timing & priorities are higher than the ones we come up with for ourselves? In other words, we ought to be trusting HIS judgments way above even our own. He doesn’t ever have to guess or panic.

Shine HOPE by resting in His all-knowing plan, not letting messed up plans throw you off or stress you out, knowing they’re all in His hands & He’s got it covered. Every bit of it. Even when you don’t.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 6.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Calla Wristlet (INDIA)

The Calla Wristlet creates fair paying jobs for women in India to earn a dignified income, in some instances for the first time in their life. This ethically made design is functional and stylish with its multi-colored, woven wristlet strap as well as a zippered card pouch that includes two card slots and another zippered coin pouch. The cream color of this zippered vegan leather wristlet is perfect for the woman on the go. 

*** Purchase this beautifully handcrafted Calla Wristlet, using the “Shop Here” link below to empower women in INDIA out of poverty! ***

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!

When Things Don’t Quite Go the Way You’d Imagined

Well, I have been through the wringer these past 4 days.

I was so excited about this recent 4-day weekend. After having traveled over Spring Break, losing a week of opportunity to check off items from my house project to-do list because we went stateside for the week instead… to losing the last 4-day weekend I thought I would have because I ended up needing to work through it… I was so excited to finally have a stretch of time where I could feel refreshed, enjoy the beach, maybe hang out at the mall for some girly time… plus a huge chance to check off several things in my queue.

Let Me Tell You About My “Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad” (Last 4) Days

Well, Thursday… cue the beginning of a cold.

Thursday night… cue less than 4 hours of sleep because of clogged sinuses from said cold & not having taken medicine before bed.

Friday… cue Cisco (our cat who just finished his antibiotics for a gastrointestinal infection on Wednesday & we thought was now all better)… vomiting every 10 minutes all day, followed by a really not great visit to the vet (he does not do well at the vet), with no time for any rest or nap because whenever I would begin to nod off… cue vomit noises coming from somewhere in the house. (Plus, the crashing disappointment & sadness of thinking the meds made him all better to realizing it’s not over yet.)

Friday night… 2-3 hours of sleep. Sinuses… managed to fall asleep, but got woken up by something & couldn’t fall back asleep because of how dried out my throat was from falling asleep with my mouth open. Could not find our soothing throat drops ANYWHERE. The physical discomfort was too “in my face” for me to relax enough to fall back asleep.

And It Doesn’t Quit…

Saturday… more cat vomit, me being weak from not much sleep/my cold–most of the day spent in bed. Sad that the vet had already closed by the time he threw up again.

Saturday night… 5 ish hours of sleep aka better but not great.

Sunday… no vomit… feeling better… hope swelling.

Sunday night… NO SLEEP. Between “that time of the month” meaning consistent bathroom trips throughout the night, plus my sinuses, plus the desert throat from trying to breathe with my mouth open…. SO tired.

And now it’s Monday… After a night of ZERO sleep, I reset my alarm for an hour before work… had a jackhammer headache screaming in my skull all morning… felt I couldn’t even take off from work because I may need it for another vet visit once Cisco’s anti-nausea medication runs out… used my migraine cooling mask (lifesaver) & went back to bed until the reset alarm time & managed about a 1 hour nap before I had to get ready for work.

I don’t feel like I have much in me left.

The Physical Strain, the Mental Strain, the Emotional Strain… I Was Being Hit from All Angles

I am so physically weak. So discouraged about Cisco & feeling helpless while I watch him in pain at times & I’m out of it mentally because I’m not sleeping & sick & my sinuses.

There’s this little “Squeezamal” squishy stress ball thing I keep on my nightstand & I may have chucked it at our bedroom wall.

I feel like I am being tormented… attacked. Physically with sickness. Emotionally with Cisco. Mentally with no sleep.

Living on a Prayer

This morning was a battle for the ages in my mind that was SCREAMING for me to crawl back in bed & not get out until the jackhammer in my head stopped. To not get out until I knew Cisco is all better & I’m feeling all better.

The amount of PRAYING that had to happen this morning for me to even function enough to get up & get dressed & drive to work was…. A lot.

I have cried more in the last few days than I have in the last month… from just being so frail & fragile on lack of sleep combined with watching as my sweet kitty cat just suffered while I watched & couldn’t stop it from happening. Plus being sick on top of all that.

But Wait

But God reminds me of something in all of this misery. That my strength is but a mirage. It’s not real. My very life is sustained by His breath. I live because He gives me life. I am because He made me to be. Nothing is really actually of myself.

And when all of my perceived humanly strength is stripped away & the illusion washes away… I am forced to actually remember it’s Him where my strength comes from. And to lean into Him because I have none without Him… even when it hurts.

Hi IS

I don’t have to be strong to be strong.

I don’t have to have answers to know He does have answers.

I don’t have to see a way forward to know He sees one.

I don’t have to hold myself up to be held up.

I don’t have to bring anything to the table to receive Him.

He is not diminished by my depravity, my weakness, my frailty, my need.

He is endless. He is limitless. He is strength. He is love. He is faithful. He is the covenant-keeper. He is the Savior. He is the Creator. He is the Redeemer. He is my portion. He is everything… even when I am nothing.

Jesus’ Love Compelled Him

Jesus endured worse than me… but signed up for it… knowing full well what was to come.

And He came anyway. His love for me… for you… COMPELLED Him to come.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

One of my favorite newly discovered quotes puts it so incredibly well:

“Jesus came to pay a debt He did not owe because I owed a debt I could not pay.”

-author unknown

Jesus, King of kings, Lord of heaven & earth, creator & sustainer of all things…. Came down from His heavenly throne to die on a cross because I could never measure up… I could never hit the mark every single time. I failed Him. And He redeemed me.

Because love compelled Him.

And He rose again & is SEATED at the right hand of God!

What to Do When You’ve Got Nothing Left

So, what to do when I’ve got nothing left?

Praise Him for all that He is for me in my lack.

Praise Him for His sustaining when I have nothing to offer.

Praise Him for His love & great sacrifice to pay for MY sin against Him.

Praise Him for having control even when I don’t… for being faithful through it all.

And show up for Him, telling others where I find my hope when it feels all hope is lost.

Praise God. Hallelujah. Amen.

In God, through Jesus Christ.

Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here, I find my rest
Without You, I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand, I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
You’re my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You” (Song: “Lord, I Need You” by Matt Maher)

Shine HOPE by remembering Who you can turn to when you’ve got nothing left, & by telling others where you find that hope, even when you reach the end of yourself.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 6.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Resilience Bracelet (GUATEMALA)

Each Resilience Bracelet creates dignified jobs for women in areas of extreme poverty in Guatemala. Featuring mixed gemstone beads in soft pastel tones and a silver flower charm, the Resilience Bracelet is perfect to wear daily or as a gift to a loved one.

***Purchase the beautiful Resilience Bracelet, using the “Shop Here” link below, to help empower women in Guatemala out of poverty!***

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!

From “Hosanna!” to “Crucify Him!”

Lately, as we sing “Hosanna!” to Jesus, in preparation for Easter at church, all I can think about is how quickly those songs of praises all those many years ago for Jesus turned to cries for His gruesome death.

From “Hosanna!” (“a joyful declaration of salvation & deliverance; an expression of praise & adoration”) to blind rage, screaming for His death.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John all make sure to include these 2 accounts in each of their writings (emphasis mine):

“And the crowds that went before [Jesus] and that followed Him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9)

“Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let Him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let Him be crucified!” (Matthew 27:22-23)

“And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9)

“And they cried out again, “Crucify Him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:13-14)

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38)

“… but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21)

“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13)

“He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” (John 19:14b-15a)

I don’t know about you, but reading those accounts just leave me a little speechless. It cuts so bitterly seeing such devotion & praise turn so quickly to a desire for His pain & destruction. The rejection He experienced while coming to rescue them from their own sin & debt to God. It cuts me.

And He knew all of that was going to happen… & He came anyway.

His Response to Our Cry

But even after that, even after He was abandoned & betrayed & rejected & beaten & bruised & bloodied & hung on a cross to die… what was His response?

“And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

And the plan that He came to earth to fulfill was still fulfilled (what grace! what love!):

“… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:23-24)

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:17)

Even though humanity proved grossly undeserving. Jesus fulfilled what He came to do: to die in our place… to take our punishment upon His shoulders… to give us a chance at hope & forgiveness.

Our Response

Oh how we ought to PRAISE Him! Oh how this ought to SPUR us to live wholly for Him!

And then, take a moment to read through Isaiah 53, which always seems to put the whole world into perspective.

Do you praise Him on Sundays & live for yourself the rest of the week?

Is praise just something you do because it’s what “good Christians do on Sundays”? Or is praise actually a LIFESTYLE for you?

Is your praise empty words repeated from a screen? Or does it flow out of your heart of surrender to Him?

The Longsuffering Grace & Love of Our God

God made the world & everything in it.

We decided to live our way instead of His.

Death entered the world as a result.

God taught us how to live His way so that we could be free of the pain of our wrong choices.

We couldn’t live up to all of it because we kept choosing to doubt Him.

Pain & damage escalated.

God sent His Son to pay the price we couldn’t pay, through Jesus Who willingly died so that we could find life through Him vs trying tirelessly & in vain to find it in ourselves.

God never gives up on us. God always pursues us. God always forgives when we come to Him with our wrongs & trust on the payment of His Son on our behalf.

Jesus Condescended Himself from His Throne… For US!

Jesus Christ is King, was sitting on a heavenly throne, repeatedly & continuously being praised & worshipped, with His royal robes filling the throne room.

Jesus existed before time & participated in the creation of mankind & the world.

But Jesus condescended Himself, being born as a vulnerable human baby.

He grew up sinless, healing & teaching & showing love through His actions to all He met.

And Jesus knew the plan was His death on the cross for our sins.

He stepped down from His throne to die a gruesome death, paying a debt He didn’t owe so that a debt we couldn’t pay would be paid in full.

His righteousness to become ours by believing on Him.

Hallelujah, indeed!

Remember! Praise Him! He Is Worthy to be Praised!

Easter is a celebration of JOY, a reminder that this King of ALL kings came down to die for you & me. And He ROSE again, victorious over both sin & death!

… So that our faith in HIM may be accounted to US as righteousness.

Praise God!

So patient. So kind. So gentle. So loving. So longsuffering. So gracious. So GOD.

A love we don’t deserve.

* Shine HOPE by determining to live in full appreciation of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for you, living your whole life to point others to Him. Love others enough to not want them to end up in Hell not knowing that Jesus Christ our LORD gave His life for them, too. *

***As a bonus, I wanted to share a fun Easter tradition idea I saw online. 1. Take the kids outside to gather stones (heavy ones are good), 2. Fill their baskets with said stones. 3. Come home & use a marker to write sins on each of them, noticing the weight of those sins in that basket. 4. Leave the baskets on a table & cover them with a red cloth, signifying the blood of Jesus covering those sins. 5. When they go to bed, replace those heavy stones with your usual Easter basket treats, reminding them when they awake & remove that red blanket (only to discover that the stones have been replaced with treats) that because of the blood Jesus shed for us, we have hope & LIFE in HIM! Hallelujah!***

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 6.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Mata Gift Set (USA + INDIA)

A thoughtful gift set to share with those you love! Create fair paying jobs for women in a safe working environment in the United States and India when you purchase the Mata gift set. Mata translates to mother in Sanskrit, a classical dialect spoken in regions of India. Included in the gift set are the Mata Earrings, a modern layered earring look featuring a beautiful pink stone with a dangling raffia semi-circle and wooden leaf shape.  Also included is a 2oz Honey Oatmeal Hand Cream crafted by women in the U.S. who are finding freedom from poverty, sexual abuse and exploitation, addiction and homelessness.  

***Purchase this great gift set, using the “Shop Here” link below to empower women. Each Mata Gift Set purchased gifts one week of life-saving nutritional meals to a child in need.***

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!

Anyone Else Need a Nap?

How are you doing today? Like, how are you really doing?

Honestly, I am tired. And not just an “I need more sleep” kind of tired, (although a nap does sound increasingly tempting as the day goes on)… just all around TIRED. I just don’t feel like I have much to offer anybody today.

My body feels worn down (admittedly becoming more & more common with each passing year, as I inch along through my 40s), my mind feels tired (just a lot going on), & I just feel a little beat up today, to be honest.

I’m not discouraged or disheartened, gratefully, but just feeling so incredibly worn out.

Watching Someone Else Hurting Is Hard

Part of it has been just the fact of watching my sweet kitty cat suffering these past couple days has been hard. If you have had a pet a while, you probably understand. They can’t tell you what’s wrong, but you see the desperate begging in their eyes for help & you feel helpless because you can’t exactly ASK them what is hurting them.

And I know some of you witness suffering & hurt from family members & friends & I can’t imagine how trying that is on the day-to-day, especially when it’s ongoing.

Last night, I came home to a puddle of blood on the floor after we had been seeing a few vomit spots throughout the house over the last 2 days (that’s probably where part of my tired is coming from in just constantly feeling like I am finding & then needing to clean up vomit around the house when I really hadn’t factored the time to do that into my schedule for the day).

It is hard to watch someone suffer. Especially when you can’t do anything to stop it. It takes a toll on you, doesn’t it?

(*He may be improving today, but it’s hard to tell at this point. I sought medical advice & was told to give it one more day because today he seemed to show slight improvement. Prayers appreciated for wisdom + his healing/comfort.*)

Even When I’m Tired

I don’t feel like I have much to give today, but I know that God is enough… even when I’m tired.

Lord, thank You for this reminder to seek You in all things, even things that seem small. To not rely on my own understanding. You know & You don’t ever have to guess. I need to be “praying without ceasing” & coming to You through every bit of life. I often mistake nudges from You as You trying to guilt me out of something I want, when You have no reason to do that. You know what is best & in Your goodness, You want to guide my every step if I but let You. Thank You for Your endless patience with me. Thank You for Your wisdom when we seek it. Thank You for being sovereign, even when I’m tired. Thank You for caring for us so well. Help me to better rely on & trust in You in all things big or small. Help my kitty get better & help me know how to help him. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Shine HOPE by trusting God in your weakness, on your off days, when you think you have it all together, & when you know you definitely don’t.

He is with you… even when you’re tired.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 6.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Ginkgo Earrings-Silver (INDIA)

When you shop the Ginkgo Earrings, you are creating safe jobs for women in areas of extreme poverty in India. These stunning, sculpted earrings are the perfect fair-trade fashion statement! Each silver-tone Ginkgo Earring features two connected ginkgo-shapes to create the beautiful dangle earring! These earrings are also available in a gold-tone finish.

***Purchase these beautifully handcrafted Ginkgo Earrings, using the “Shop Here” link below to empower women in India out of poverty!***

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!