O What a Day!– A Celebration of Love, Light, and Sisterhood
There are days that pass without a trace, and then there are days that etch themselves into our hearts forever. Our second annual fashion show at the women’s employment shelter in Jamaica, Queens was undeniably the latter, a radiant day filled with love, laughter, and light.
From the very beginning, it felt like a divine orchestration. As we coordinated outfits, applied makeup, and prepared each woman to walk boldly down the runway, there was a quiet but powerful transformation unfolding. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, support, and an overwhelming sense of unity. It wasn’t just a fashion show, it was a celebration of beauty, courage, and community.
The song “I Am Beautiful” echoed in my heart all day, and even now, as I write this, I can still feel its melody in the joy, the hugs, and the contagious laughter that filled the room. It was more than a song; it was a reflection of every woman who stood in her truth and shared her light with the world that day.
To our incredible volunteers, thank you. You came not just with your time and talent, but with hearts full of compassion. You lifted each other up, reminded every woman of her worth, and helped create an environment where healing and hope could thrive.
This day reminded me of a profound truth: though the world may be bruised and broken, God’s love and light are still very much alive. He is looking for vessels, willing hearts, to pour through. And on this special day, His presence was unmistakable.
As the women graced the runway, they did more than model clothes, they modeled strength, resilience, and joy. Each cheer and hug from the audience felt like a divine affirmation. Our speakers and sponsors, who so generously took time from their lives to share words of encouragement and affirmation, left a lasting impact. Their presence was a testament to the power of community and the importance of showing up for one another.
We danced, we ate, we laughed. And for that one beautiful day, every woman knew that she belonged. That she mattered. That her story, her light, and her presence were needed.
Yes, these women face hardship. But this event was a reminder that even in the storm, moments of peace, joy, and sisterhood can shine through, and sometimes, that’s all the soul needs to keep going.
Thank you to everyone who made this day possible. May we continue to be vessels of hope and love, shining light wherever we go.
A Mother's Day Like No Other: Honoring the Forgotten and the
Mother’s Day is a time that stirs up a wide range of emotions. For some, it’s a day of flowers, laughter, and heartfelt hugs. For others, it’s a day marked by grief, trauma, regret, or painful memories. At Set Apart By God, we recognize that this weekend is not just a celebration, it’s also a season of healing for many women, especially those who are often overlooked.
Since connecting with the women at the Queens shelter, we've listened, really listened, to their stories. Stories of motherhood wrapped in struggle, survival, and strength. Some women have lost their children to the foster care system. Some made the heart-wrenching decision to give them up for adoption. Others were born into the system themselves, grew up in it, and are now trapped in the same generational cycle, bearing children who are also growing up within its walls.
Some mothers are victims of sexual violence, raising children born of those traumas. Others have lost their children to the streets, to addiction, to life’s many harsh turns. And then there are the women who are simply doing their best with what they have, no stable home, no support system, finding solace and shelter wherever they can.
There are also widows among them, women who have lost everything, yet still carry the identity of “mother” with resilience and dignity.
This Mother’s Day, we want them to know: they are not forgotten.
This is why Set Apart By God will be hosting a special outreach event this weekend, dedicated entirely to the mothers in the shelter. It’s our mission to be a vessel of light, love, and hope to remind these incredible women that they are seen, valued, and cherished by God.
Whether their motherhood is marked by pain, perseverance, or peace, we want each woman to feel honored, embraced, and uplifted.
This is more than an event. It’s a ministry moment. A chance to reflect God’s unconditional love and remind these women of their worth and purpose.
To all the mothers, especially those in the shadows, we see you. God sees you. And this weekend, we celebrate you.
With love and purpose,
Set Apart By God Ministry
🕊️ Bible & Journaling: Healing the Mind Through the Word
A Reflection from the Jamaica Women’s Employment Shelter in Queens, NYC
Today, I had the honor of sitting with a few incredible women at the Jamaica Women’s Employment Shelter in Queens, NYC. We shared space, heart, and conversation around the importance of journaling especially as women who have walked through trauma, abuse, or seasons of brokenness.
We explored the power of writing down our thoughts at the end of each day, or even throughout the day, as a way to become more aware of what’s happening in our minds and hearts. Did you know that the average human has over 60,000 thoughts per day? That’s why the Bible reminds us:
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." – Proverbs 23:7
What we think shapes who we become.
For women in shelters especially those born into one or having survived verbal, emotional, and physical abuse many of those thoughts have been built around pain, fear, and rejection. But God has a different story. A greater narrative.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and receive the Holy Spirit, we’re promised a renewed mind a mind like Christ,
But what is the mind, really?
The mind is the part of us that thinks, feels, perceives, imagines, remembers, and makes choices. It’s where our soul processes life.
When trauma is all we’ve known, the enemy will try to use those unhealed places to kill, steal, and destroy our identity and destiny. But he cannot take what God has given unless we unknowingly give it away by believing lies over truth.
That’s why journaling is such a powerful spiritual tool. It helps us filter the thoughts in our minds one by one against the Word of God, to know what is from Him and what is not.
God’s Word becomes the anchor and roadmap back to truth.
His Word reminds us:
“I know the thoughts I think toward you,” says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Women in the shelter and all women were made in God’s image. Journaling gives them a way to see their thoughts clearly, release what’s not of Him, and cling to what is.
It’s not just about writing it’s about realignment.
So today was more than a group conversation. It was a step toward renewing minds, healing hearts, and reclaiming identity in Christ, one journal entry at a time.
Empowering Women in Shelters Through Intimacy with God
Women in shelters face numerous challenges, emotional pain, spiritual emptiness, and brokenness that can sometimes feel insurmountable. However, it is in these moments of vulnerability that intimacy with God can be the very thing that brings healing, restoration, and transformation.
The Impact of Intimacy with God on Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health
God’s Word is clear about the healing power of His presence. When women develop an intimate relationship with God, they begin to experience a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). This connection with Him begins to shift their mental, emotional, and spiritual state. As they lean on God, they find strength to release past pain and trust in His plan for their lives.
In shelters, many women carry generational trauma,whether emotional, sexual, or physical abuse, that can feel like an endless cycle. Intimacy with God breaks these chains. Through prayer, worship, and time spent in His Word, women begin to feel God’s loving embrace, which becomes a foundation for inner healing.
Empowering Women to Break Free from Generational Trauma
Generational trauma doesn’t just affect individuals, it affects families for generations. But God’s power is greater than any generational curse. In Isaiah 61:1, the Lord promises to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free. When women in shelters encounter God in this way, they are empowered to break free from the trauma that has held them captive for years.
As they experience God’s healing, they are equipped to forgive, let go of pain, and embrace a new life, one that is free from the burden of their past. This is where deliverance happens: when they realize that God has a divine purpose for their lives, beyond the hurt and suffering they’ve known.
Empowering Each Other Through God’s Love
As women who have experienced God’s transformative power, we are called to share this love and healing with others. Empowerment is not just about lifting ourselves up; it’s about lifting others up as well. We are called to be vessels of God’s grace, to serve as beacons of light for women who are hurting and broken.
By supporting one another, encouraging each other, and walking through life together, we help women move closer to their divine purpose. Intimacy with God is the key that unlocks their healing, transformation, and restoration, helping them walk in His will and fulfill the destiny He has ordained for them.
Walking in Divine Purpose
As we come alongside these women and guide them toward deeper intimacy with God, we witness their lives change in profound ways. God doesn’t just heal the past, He empowers women to move forward in their divine purpose, using their experiences to help others, heal families, and create a future full of hope.
Through prayer, support, and the Word of God, we can help women in shelters break free from the pain of their past, embrace the healing power of God, and walk boldly into the future He has prepared for them. It’s in these moments of intimacy with God that true transformation happens, and it’s our calling to be a part of that process.