Dear Black Woman, You Are Not Alone in Your GriefSample

God Sees You

As Black women, we didn’t get to choose our skin color, eye color, or hair texture. We were born Black and there’s no changing that. Because of our color there are times when we are deemed as less than, unworthy, unqualified, and unattractive by others. But dear Black woman, you were made by the Maker of the Universe and when he made you, he said, “It is good” and that you are “beautifully and wonderfully made.” Pause and take a moment to affirm that today.

It can be hard to recognize or remember this because of the experiences we face. Too often are we looked over or passed over. I can think of numerous occasions when I’ve been the only Black woman in the room and felt questioning eyes glaring in my direction that asked, Why are you here? Or, how did you get here? And maybe you have too. Or you experienced a church divided over politics and racial injustices, a divorce, an unmet dream or expectation, prayers that seemed to reach only as far as the ceiling, or a snarky comment that made you question your beauty or your intellect. With all that has happened in your life, do you ever just sit and ponder, Does God even see me?

I’m here to encourage you with a resounding yes. Yes, dear Black woman, God sees you.

Think about the story of Esther on several occasions where she is advised not to show up as herself. She is advised by her cousin Mordecai to not reveal her nationality because of a plot to kill the Jews, her people. Yet, despite this, she goes before the king because God saw her, and he had a purpose and a plan for her. And when we remember that God sees us and that he has a purpose and plan for us, we can show up in every space full of faith as our beautiful, Black authentic selves.

Esther saves a nation with courage and resistance through full reliance on the Lord. As Black women, we are modern-day Esthers, because we can petition the King of kings for ourselves and for our people. God sees us and he is within us. We cannot fail.