Our women's ministry blog is up and running again for the 2025-2026 ministry year! If you are interested in being a contributing author, we would love to talk with you about that. Please reach out at women@gracecomm.org.

Some of you may recognize the title "The Style that Stays with Us" from the Loveland South Lifestyle section. Desiree Gustafson (publisher) wrote:

“Style is often thought of as something we wear - an outfit, a statement piece, a signature color. But style runs so much deeper. It’s in the way someone greets you with warmth and a genuine smile. It’s in a neighbor who always remembers your dog’s name, or a local shop owner who makes their space feel like home the second you walk through the door. It’s in the thoughtful touches: fresh flowers on a front porch, handwritten notes on thank you cards, or the quiet confidence someone carries when they show up as fully themselves.”

I thought about what Ms. Gustafson said, and I wondered what people would say about my “style.” Do I exhibit the fruits of the spirit (Gal: 5: 22-23)? Life can be difficult, sometimes it’s all I can do to walk through the day. Can I find joy in the simplest of things? More importantly, can I pass on joy to someone else? Is there such a thing as “Christian Style”? And if so, what does it look like? Does it look differently for you than it does for me?

Style is about choosing grace over trend, presence over perfection.

-Desiree Gustafson

Stephen Covey in his “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” says that one of the habits is to begin with the end first. So let’s go back to my eulogy - I would hope that people would say that I was kind. I am working toward the humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, (Col 3:12). I admit I must pray on these often! I try to live gently, meaning I try not to quarrel. Sometimes I just walk away and often wonder “Did I walk away too soon or not soon enough?”

I would also like to think that people could come to me for help. I may or may not have the resources, answers, or skill, but that I would try to help if I could. I want to live more authentically. Yes, I am a daughter of the King, as we all are - and all of us are different. He has given us all talents, skills, understanding, unique to us. Not for us to keep but to share. The “sharing” is our “style.” How we show up, how we serve, how we communicate to those around us is going to be different. Ms. Gustafson also said, “Style is about choosing grace over trend, presence over perfection.” I couldn’t have said it better. Going back to Gal 5:22-23, the concept of fruit refers to the tangible results of actions that demonstrate a life lived under the Spirit’s influence. Sometimes the best we can do is to simply be present, to hold someone’s hand and pray with them.