It’s interesting when something happens continuously over the span of 20 years. When people compare you to the same historical figure, it’s time to listen and do your homework. People have called me “the female Barnabas,” yesterday my friend Casey randomly said it in a conversation and I finally looked it up and, I’m honored and humbled.

Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement,” was given that nickname by the early church because encouragement wasn’t just what he did, it was who he was as a human. He stood beside the ones others walked away from. He believed in Paul when everyone still feared his past (Saul). He gave John Mark another chance after failure. He welcomed outsiders, bridged cultures, and lived generously.

Scripture doesn’t tell us much about his childhood, but the way he loved? The way he showed up for people with tenderness, patience, and relentless belief in their worth? That kind of encouragement often comes from someone who has known struggle themselves. Someone who had to be resilient. Someone who’s walked through some hard things and came out with a softer heart, not a heart of stone.

Maybe that’s why I feel so deeply connected to his legacy.

I, too, know what it’s like to need someone to believe in you. To long for a hand up after you have fallen or a voice whispering, “You’re not done yet, keep it up friend. You still matter. Get back up.” I know what it’s like to fight through the fog of trauma and use the pain to become a light for others. I recently got these bracelets from a womens conference through Beltway Women. I tell myself “remember where you came from, you are an overcomer so shine sister!” I also tell my clients this because I want them to keep fighting to overcome adversity.

So yes I receive the message…call me Barnabas. The sisterhood version.😉

If I can live in a way that brings courage to the weary, hope to the broken, and love to the forgotten, then I’m living the life I was meant to.

To those who’ve seen that in me: thank you🥹. I pray I never stop being a voice of compassion, a safe place to land, and a friend who always believes there’s more ahead.

Let’s be encouragers. Girl, Barnabases (daughter of encouragement). The world needs us.