Now I know I have a flair for the dramatic. But this is no exaggeration. When it comes to writing, it is one of the areas where I have been most disobedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
As I have grown in my faith and my desires have begun to align with His will, I’ve realized the main reason for my disobedience was a lack of identity. My identity was in who I thought I was, what I thought I was capable of, and—worst of all—what people said I was.
When I began to root my identity in the Word of God, I learned that my worth is not in what I can do, but in being His. I was finally able to relinquish my gifts to Him to be used as He pleased. As I so often say, although I know God doesn’t need me, I am so grateful that He sees fit to use me.
This Christian devotional for women is definitely a reminder of how the Holy Spirit fills me and gives me words to encourage my sisters in Christ.
The Journey of Partial Obedience
The title may sound familiar. If you’ve been on this faith journey with me for the last nine years (since 2017), then you probably remember hearing me talk about the Blemished but Beautiful journal.
After I wrote the Encouraged devotional and a second unpublished book that may never see the light of day, I felt led to share these women’s stories. But I let fear and self-doubt give me an excuse to be disobedient. Ultimately, discouragement kept me from writing for the next six years. It wasn’t until 2023 that I began writing again.
At the time, I thought that "sacrifice" was better than obedience. So I offered God a journal instead of a devotional and released Blemished but Beautiful bible study journal in 2018. I figured I was still sharing these women’s stories, but I would just write reflection questions and allow people to draw their own inspiration from the Scripture. I decided I would only be partially obedient.
A Bible Study on Women of the Bible Changed Everything
I revisited this Blemished but Beautiful journal when I led a Bible study on women of the Bible within the Bible Beauty Co. sisterhood. The time reading the Scriptures encouraged me, and some of the reflections I shared encouraged the women in the community.
The words I shared that day stuck with me for the coming months. With the urging of the Holy Spirit, I sat down to write the devotional in 2025 and the words just flowed. I’m so grateful that I have learned how to allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in my writing.
As I sat to edit and design this devotional, it was as if I read it for the first time. Seeing how these women’s humility, courage, and faith inspired me to stay seated at the feet of Jesus changed me—and I believe it will do the same for you.
Join the Journey
So if you’re struggling with pride, disobedience, identity, or doubt, I pray you will study these blemished but beautiful women of the Bible and see how God is writing a beautifully bold story through your daily surrender.
