Saying Yes to a Calling to Start a Movement for Young Women

I grew up in a Christian home, and asked Jesus in my heart at the age of 5. I always felt a high calling on my life, but didn’t know exactly what it was until I was in my early 20’s.  It was then, when I first shared with someone about being a victim of child molestation that I knew. Once I shared my story, I could no longer suppress it. Believe me, I tried.

I knew I was called to help women and girls. But fought it.

I threw up every time I ate for 3 years. I suffered physical and mental pain for the last 16 years before answering to the call.

I attended the Summit in 2014 because I knew I needed more leadership training. And it just so happened that my home church, Hillcrest Baptist in Pensacola was a host sight. After attending the Global Leadership Summit I surrendered to the call to start a women’s confidence movement. And I must add, I also suffered with TMJ and lock jaw for 17 years; when I learned to forgive myself (this past January) for not speaking up as a young child, my jaw unlocked.

When Susan Cain spoke last year, it hit home. If she, an introvert, was able to step out of her comfort zone and help so many people understand how quiet people function and still succeed, than I too could help those who were suffering from all kinds of abuse.

I am reminded that God IS the God of the impossible.  More people need to be brave. 

My dream for this movement is to teach women and teen girls that “what you say is what you become”, and to teach the importance of self-talk through praising God, loving themselves, receiving a compliment, and exercising will power.  I love working with teen girls and young women and listening to their real needs and helping them conquer their battles by equipping them with the necessary tools.  I love seeing them have “aha” moments when they learn that is ok to have feelings and emotions…

I have a unique ability to teach them that God makes no mistakes. 

It’s not about wishing it were easier, but wishing you were better and praying for more skills. (Jim Rohn)

Many young women are suffering insecurities because of how they have seen their own mother’s respond to things; whether it is because of physical, sexual, verbal or spiritual abuse … We must unite as a community of support for each other, not tear each other down. The greatest commandment in the Bible is to love God with all your heart, soul and mind and the second is to love your neighbor AS YOURSELF.

My dream is to take this movement world-wide. There are more women suffering than I even realized. God has given me an avenue to start this movement in a bigger way than I could have ever imagined. I’m getting ready to launch a podcast for women empowerment called “Life in Purple” LIPtalk. Purple represents a virtuous woman, royalty, a color of success, confidence, creativity, and a color that helps depression, and calms anxiety.

Some of the challenges I’ve faced in getting this up and going is the ability to be still. God’s timing is not mine. I want to rush and make things happen, because I fought the calling for so long, but when I listen to His voice and the Godly people he has put in my life I know to be still. I’ve also come across nay sayers, and quite frankly, sometimes I even doubt myself… But, I quote over and over again Phil 4:13 and  2 Timothy 1:7.

God is working out every detail more than I could have envisioned.

To encourage other leaders around the world, I would say God did not give you a spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE and a sound mind, self-control, and discipline.  I cannot express it enough that God gave us POWER….  I would love to see Pastors and Christian leaders around the world teaching God’s people how to truly love themselves. Treat your body as the temple of God. God gives us LOVE as gift. He also gave us a sound mind, which is often where we are influenced most. We let nay Sayers get to us. But when we claim God’s word, there is no evil that can stand against us.

-Laura Spragg, Summit Attendee