This past week, I preached a sermon for the very first time. It was a beautiful, holy moment -- finally being released to utilize a gift that I was long told my womanhood restricted me from using. Ironically, I preached this sermon wearing an apron while the church feasted on bread and soup made by my hands, and I spoke on hospitality. It was, for me, a powerful moment demonstrating my coming to terms with an array of gifts, learning that my call -- to feed sheep through both the words of my mouth and the works of my hands -- is neither because of or restricted by my gender. That God has created me and equipped me to be a bold and feminine lady-preacher-baker-chef, and I can do so with freedom and joy. Today on the blog, I've got a slightly elongated version of this first sermon: holy hospitality and the danger of distraction.

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