5 minutes with Trish ...
Tell us a little about you
I am a resilience speaker, wife and mother of 3 teenagers. I build resilient faith by sharing keys from my story of having gone to prison and the turnaround afterwards.
What's your favourite bible passage & why?
Oh, so many. Romans 8:28-29 that God makes all things work together for our good in order to make us more like Jesus (paraphrased of course).
How do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?
I pray that I will be conscious of Him and remember Him when I need to. I often ask Him how He sees things. This is particularly helpful if someone has been awful. I’ve learn the faster I go to Him with an issue, the less hurtful it is. Keeping an honest, sensitive conscience and being willing to admit when I’m wrong. Without that, we won’t hear from God where it really matters.
I spend time thinking about Christ in me, being conscious of being filled with the Holy Spirit, being sensitive to His Presence. When I’m with someone I often ask “What do you have for this person, Lord? How shall I minister to them?”
When someone is difficult I ask the Lord to show me how He sees them. That helps me be objective and calmer.
I have learned to recognise the tricks of the devil quickly. It helps me remember we wrestle against spiritual forces, not people. When we are hurting, we are less likely to focus outward. The enemy keeps us out of the game by triggering our pain buttons.
What would you like the next generation of Christian women to know?
It’s OK to step up.
Get your hang-ups dealt with early and stop making excuses for them stopping you from obeying God’s voice, especially if it’s fear. Do it afraid if you must, but do it!
Become leaders in the secular community because the equality vacuum is filling with women who don’t know Christ nor share our values. They are shaping our society because of our absence.
Being a full-time homemaker does not keep you out of the game. Christian women are not called to be “Stepford Wives”. If you are at home, join a secular group that is making a difference, such as reducing domestic violence or providing education for disadvantaged girls overseas.
Keep developing your skills as you raise your children so you are ready to do something else when they are independent or for your next season in life.
One more thing about fear. If you are called to be speak, minister or lead and you are doing nothing about it out of fear or some kind of humility, it’s not sweet and modest and feminine; it’s sin. There are people needing what the Lord has placed in you and they are suffering while you indulge your hang-ups. Get over yourself.
What's one thing that you love about your local church?
Only one? Our people are kind. I also love that my pastors have a business background so he and his wife understand and encourage me. They see my speaking business is ministry.
What did you learn about God at a time in your life you found hard?
How to forgive AND have my feelings line up. Prison gave me many opportunities to work that out. He is faithful and I have to adjust my thinking to His. I am required to participate in God turning things around. It doesn’t happen by default, while we are in victim mode.
What are you passionate about? My husband. Raising my children to be leaders. Drawing both Christians and non- Christians to Christ.
What do you enjoy doing when you rest?
Watch TV with my family and some take-away food or I like to curl up with a book.
