Women played a vital role in Jesus’ ministry by providing financial support, offering practical assistance, and actively participating. Notable figures include Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Lydia, who are mentioned in the scriptures as key supporters of Jesus and the early church (Luke 8:1-3; Acts 16:14-15).

Why is this so important? Remembering the role of women during that time tells a story of bravery, confidence, and passion that only Jesus could inspire. Because of His immense love, they felt compelled to contribute to the ministry, even risking their very lives to do so.

One extraordinary act of bravery and unwavering passion captivates my heart: the women who devotedly cared for Jesus’s body during His burial. Their early-morning encounter, in which they discovered the empty tomb and met the risen Christ, is nothing short of miraculous. God chose these faithful women, entrusting them not only to witness His victory over death but also to carry the incredible message of His resurrection to the world. “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me” (Matthew 28:10). Their commission is a powerful testament to faith and courage, inspiring us to share the good news with others. (Matthew 27:55-61; Matthew 28:1-10)

My current Bible study, “Very Good” by Jen Oshman, asks this question:

“How does it make you feel to plainly see how God trusts women?”

Any question like this, our first go-to is to consider gaps or things we are working on. Yet, what if we led from a place of “We are trustworthy.” We are simply learning to walk in what’s been true from the beginning.

How do we surrender to this truth and remove fear?

We can anchor to our identity in Him, not performance. Saying out loud, “God trusts me,” will tell our nervous system to shift, or our minds to reframe.

God doesn’t ask us to climb the mountain in that moment; He only asks that we take the first step towards faith. Practice small steps.

Notice where fear is masquerading as wisdom. We often want to be careful when God is actually leading us to move. God will guide your feet and direct your path.

Surround yourself with women who will walk with you.

Keep a record of God’s faithfulness and of your steps that seemed outlandish or uncertain at the time, but for which God showed up.

Spend time with God. Women who supported Jesus were devoted, present, and listening. Take this posture.

What do we surrender in order to stand in this space?

God would never ask us to surrender our worth, voice, dignity, our calling, or our agency.

We stand in our dignity and surrender fear, self-reliance, and old narratives.

Fear that makes us feel shame around making the wrong decisions, disappointing someone, stepping into something new, or being misunderstood. Fear keeps us small and disconnected.

It is never all on you to do everything. It’s the shift from carrying everything to walking with Someone.

Our minds are filled with narratives that shape how we approach tasks. However, these narratives can sometimes keep us stuck. Consider the stories you tell yourself about your worth—do you feel like you are “too much” or “not enough”? One of the most significant narratives we create comes from comparing ourselves to others and believing the false notion that God trusts other women more than He trusts you.

Embracing the trust that God has placed in us as women calls us to step boldly into our identities and potential. It invites us to transform our narratives, recognizing that we are not only deserving of His love but also vital participants in His mission. As we surrender fear and self-doubt, we empower one another in community, drawing inspiration from the courageous women who walked alongside Jesus. Let us remember that our stories matter and that, together, we have the strength to share the good news with the world, just as those faithful women did. With each small step forward, we reaffirm our worth and embrace the extraordinary purpose God has for us.

My small step, I would love to share.

My father was a songwriter, and we spent many years together traveling and sharing love through music. I recently spent time with my daughter traveling to North Carolina to see Hamilton. How my dad met us in a restaurant as we spoke of him was my last post. I haven’t been on my blog since then because the incident, my daddy’s love, and God, Abba Father’s love, moved me to write songs. It’s a work in progress, and slow, steady steps towards creating this album. I spend quiet time, I write, and then add the music. The songs are about fears, joys, and themes of life that most women can laugh at or find some validation in similar spaces.

For you, Daddy, For you Abba Father

Lyrics below.

A simple lunch turned into a holy moment. Talking about my dad, then hearing ‘Order for Tom,’ felt like him meeting us there — reminding us we can still connect with the ones we love. That moment sparked this whole album.

Verse 1
We were sitting on a patio, sunlight in our eyes
Talking ’bout your Papa, how the years still feel alive
The weight of all the memories, the ache of what we lost
Holding back our tears, counting what his absence cost
The world was loud around us, orders calling through the door
But somehow in the heaviness, we felt heaven even more

Pre Chorus
Grief is just love learning how to speak a different way
And sometimes it gets louder when the world is on display

Chorus
Then we heard “Order for Tom” through the clatter and the crowd
Right when we were sinking in the sorrow we spoke out loud
And we smiled cause we knew it was more than just a voice
It was Papa giving comfort, saying
I love you more, my girls
Yeah, love keeps breaking through
In the name inside the noise

Verse 2
I hear him in the quiet when the world is far too loud
Like a signal cutting through the static of my doubt
He taught me how to listen for the truth beneath the noise
And now his steady whisper shapes the strength behind my voice

Pre Chorus
Grief is just remembrance with a heartbeat of its own
A bridge that keeps on forming every time I feel alone

Chorus
Then we heard “Order for Tom” through the clatter and the crowd
Right when we were sinking in the sorrow we spoke out loud
And we smiled cause we knew it was more than just a voice
It was Papa giving comfort, saying
I love you more, my girls
Yeah, love keeps breaking through
In the name inside the noise

Bridge
Maybe heaven isn’t distant, maybe it’s a breath away
Maybe every time I’m writing, he’s leaning in to say
Go on, girl, keep singing, I’m proud of what you’ve done
Your album is the echo of the love we’ve just begun

Final Chorus
So when I hear “Order for Tom” through the clatter and the crowd
I remember how the veil felt thin, how grace felt loud
And I’ll keep on writing stories that his legacy employs
Cause he’s still cheering me forward
In the name inside the noise

Outro
In the name inside the noise
I hear him in the quiet
I feel him in the joy
And when the world gets heavy
I remember what I heard
Order for Tom in the chaos
And his I love you more
I love you more, my girls
Still echoing through the noise

Copyrighted, Lyrics by Anna L. Hebb