Samford’s National Panhellenic Council’s annual event, Greek LEAD, hosted a special guest this year: Grace Valentine.
Valentine is most known for being an author, blogger and writer for the Proverbs 31 Ministry, as well as speaker and podcast host of her podcast Water into Wine. She has spoken to many sororities and works to encourage young women in their faith during different seasons that come with being a young adult woman.
Valentine’s message was on Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
She spoke on having purpose, but not perfection, and how the Lord gives individuals that purpose. Valentine centered her main three points around the miracles of the virgin birth, the parting of the Red Sea and the healing of the blind man with spit and dirt in the book of John. The miracle of the virgin birth showed how believers need to have a heart posture like Mary in Luke 1:28.
“Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.’ And then the angel left her,” (Luke 1:28). Valentine made the point that one should not be asking God to be things like prettier or more likeable, but more like the image of God.
The second miracle that she spoke about was the parting of the Red Sea. Her point was that one should not walk away from a miracle but walk in the middle of it (just like Moses and the Israelites walked through the middle of the sea) and follow God’s plan.
The final miracle that she referenced was the miracle of Jesus healing the blind man with spit and mud in the book of John. The point that she made was that it may be hard to believe that the mud and the spit in your life can be used for God’s glory and His plan for you, but “anything in His hands is holy,” said Valentine.
Overall, the message that she gave seemed to have impacted many of the women in attendance and created a space for people to be vulnerable with a Q&A and an activity where people could stand up or raise their hands if they needed prayer for a particular thing.
Grace Valentine also held a meet and greet after the event where she signed copies of her book and sold her newest release, “The Better Friend.”
One of the many things that she has emphasized throughout the life of her ministry is her desire to create a space where girls can relate and find comfort amidst the brokenness of the world.
Valentine herself struggled with singleness, surrendering her future to the Lord, making friends, academic pressures and avoiding the temptations of the college lifestyle. She uses social media to reach out to people feeling the same things and, despite the harmful nature of social media, is creating a safe place for many.
“God can transform and redeem anything for his glory because he’s so powerful,” said Valentine. “And so, I feel like that’s given me the opportunity to connect with people on social media and show them God’s word, which is my favorite thing to do because I’ve been so hurt by social media.”
One of her greatest passions in her ministry has been her mini books that she creates for her social media. These books start with the statement, “For the girl feeling…” (or something similar) and she incorporates advice and scripture to help spread Biblical truths and support young women going through particular seasons.
Through reflection, Valentine stated that her passion outweighs her need to get “success” from her ministry and the possibility of failure starting out did not distract her from her goal: to create a safe space for young women and to glorify God.
“I would still be doing this, driving to schools, talking to younger women, writing on Instagram, writing on blogs. I did it for years without anyone caring,” said Valentine, “For years, without the views, without a book deal, without anything. And so, I would still be doing this even if I wanted, and that’s how you know it’s a calling.”
Arts & Life Editor
