One of the perks of living in a technology driven society is being able to connect with people and develop pseudo-friendships. I don't just have friends but I have "sisters." Alongside Beyoncè (did you guys love how I styled her for the Carter Push Party? LOL), Sarah Jakes Roberts is my sister.

I adore Sarah! Positive, transparent, Christian women are beautiful but when that woman can serve up an ole nasty Christian slay...my lawd! I first fell in love with Sarah when I read her book "Lost and Found." Although I was familiar with her dad, Bishop T.D. Jakes and his teachings, I had never heard of Sarah or her story before reading the book. If you have not read "Lost and Found," I encourage you to do so. Sarah's story is one of faith, teenage pregnancy, love, and heart breaks. 

Although my story is very different than Sarah's, her story is very relatable. Our stories both share the common theme of not owning our uniqueness and trying to fit into places God did not intend for us to fit into. 

Sarah transitioned from a friend to a sister when I discovered her sermons on YouTube. She is co-pastor with her husband Tourè at One Church in Los Angeles, CA. I do not think calling her a "preacher" is fitting. Sarah is a teacher and a speaker. She talks to her audience from a place of experience, realness, and love. She makes you feel as though the word is not only for you but for her as she often uses words such as "us" and "our." If you are perfectly flawed but thirsty for God, Sarah has a word for you!  All of her sermons are awesome and I don't want to say I have a favorite, but one of her more recent sermons that I love is "Promise Problems." I also love "The Prison and the Palace." Thank me later.

In "Promise Problems" Sarah teaches that when God wants to take you to the next level he often does it through affliction. In moments of affliction you have to recognize that affliction is your teacher.

Subsequently, in "The Prison and the Palace" Sarah speaks on putting people who are holding you back in your destiny in prisons because you are being confined by these individuals in a season where God wants you to be free. She also talks about how so many of us want the call/purpose from God but are not willing to go through the strife of being in a prison in order to thrive in the palace. "God is waiting to see if you can tap into your purpose in the prison...He wants to know if you can make the prison a palace," says Sarah. 

Sarah's most recent accomplishment is the release of her fourth book, "Don't Settle For Safe." I have not had a chance to read it but it is at the top of my list. This book is intended to help you stop doubting your greatness and to thrive in your destiny.

Don't settle for safe ladies! Through faith and hard work, you can have it all! 

p.s.- Thank you for the overwhelming support and love of the blog. I truly appreciate it! You all are pushing me to thrive in my purpose. Please remember to share and subscribe! Xo.