Crafted & Called

I’ve been waiting months for I Don’t Even Like Women and Other Lies That Get in the Way of Sacred Sisterhood by Natalie, and it has been so worth the wait. I’ve always admired Natalie’s heart for women and her desire to see us united, not divided. This book is all about breaking free from the lies we’ve believed—lies that pit us against one another, stir up jealousy and comparison, and keep us from experiencing the richness of true sisterhood in Christ. She writes with honesty, humor, and wisdom, showing us that life is not about competing with one another but about collaborating and lifting each other up.

One part that stood out to me is when Natalie talked about how God gives each of us different personalities, abilities, and gifts—on purpose, for a purpose. When we get upset with another woman for being a certain way, we’re essentially saying she’s not allowed to be all that God created her to be. That hit me deeply because I’ve been hurt by women before—not just outside the church but also inside it. I’ve seen mean girls grow up into mean women, and I know firsthand the pain that comes from that. But I also believe, with everything in me, that we can do better.

The truth is, we’ve all experienced competition from other women—and if we’re being honest, we’ve all been the competitor too. But life isn’t a competition. We’re all in the same kingdom, aiming for the same goal. Instead of tearing each other down, we should be the first to encourage one another in our callings and endeavors. Some simple ways we can do this are:

• Celebrate instead of compare—when another woman wins, cheer for her instead of questioning your own path.
• Speak life—choose to affirm and encourage with your words, even in small conversations.
• Pray for one another—covering our sisters in prayer shifts our hearts from competition to compassion.
• Share opportunities—whether it’s a job, ministry, or creative idea, open doors instead of closing them.
• Show up—be present when a sister needs support, whether in big moments or small.

I also loved how Natalie shared about raising her daughter. She doesn’t want her daughter to shrink back, adjust her personality, or stop being a loyal teammate just to make others comfortable. That really resonated with me. I don’t have a daughter yet, but if God is to bless me with a daughter—or daughters—in the future, I want to set the tone and example for her. I want to not only speak well about myself—not in a prideful “I’m so great” manner, but in a way that models healthy love for myself as well as for other women. I don’t want to talk badly about other women in front of her, and as Christians, that’s something we shouldn’t be doing anyway.

This book has been challenging, thought-provoking, and healing for me. It reminded me that God has uniquely created us and that the best way we can honor Him is to walk boldly in who He made us to be—while cheering on our sisters as they do the same. We’re not in competition; we’re in this together, and it’s time we start living like it.

Imagine what the church would look like if women truly championed one another—what’s one small step you can take this week to encourage a sister in Christ?

-Roxie ❤