Faith, Hope & Love sustained me through 2020. Well! Hindsight is always 20|20.

I can relate to Saint Augustine when he said “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe”. As I saw my wife’s body ravaged by cancer and the brutal impact of chemo, I was clinging to my faith. As she lay in bed for days after each treatment, I kept rubbing her back, maintained human touch, and hung on to what Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope”. As the community cooked for us, served us, drove Debbie to her appointments, and helped us financially, I was reminded of “Give your hands to serve, and your hearts to love” by Mother Teresa.

That sums up my 2020. How was your 2020? Lost a job, a loved one, your home, marriage, spouse, child, pet, or the equity in your condo. Do not give up hope. Have faith and love unconditionally. Faith is the greatest asset we have. Hope ends when you stop believing. Love ends when you stop caring.

The mission of Four Columns is to focus on food, faith, finance, and family empowering and inspiring women to live a balanced life in the 21st century. The vision is to make a difference in the lives of one million women in a decade. The theme for 2021 at Fourcolumns will be  Hope.

Read this interview, take just one point and apply it to your life. I want to apply love in action.

A final salvo. If you are a male reader who is in a leadership position in the religious landscape then the time has come to invite women to the table. Give them a voice. Listen to understand not to speak. Women are breaking the glass ceiling in every industry. Women are outperforming men in universities across North America. Create a ripple and make a difference. Leave a legacy for the next generation of women.

Gillianne, welcome to Four Columns. I want my audience to know something important about you?

I don’t know anything necessarily important about me, but I’d say that I’m a simple person who prefers being in the background while supporting others. I love teamwork and achieving things together. I’m known as ‘Mama G’ to the kids in our orphanage in Haiti that we started about 4 years ago, as well as to those in the surrounding community there. I love music and singing – it helps bring me closer to God. I’m also a sucker for ol’ sappy love songs. I appreciate the calm around me, but yet still love having fun.

You have been in the ministry for a quarter of a century. Was it always your dream or goal? What drew you to it?

No, it wasn’t always my goal (I’m actually a ‘numbers’ gal at heart – accounting). I was asked to be an intern in the ministry, by the couple who was leading the church at the time. I loved God and I loved people – so it seemed like a great opportunity to combine the two. Though there have been hard times during the years, I’ve never looked back or pursued anything else, and I don’t regret my initial choice. I love being able to help and to see God’s Word change people’s life. It’s inspiring and faith-building for me too.

Burnout is high in the ministry. Talk to me about some of the boundaries you have used and how you take time for self-care?

Great question – it’s so true! I believe we were taught back in the day, that much of the responsibility of others’ spiritual life, rested on our (ministry leaders’) shoulders. I understand the Bible says that we need to carry each other’s burdens, but, personally, I think we (me included) relied more on ourselves than on God. Now, I try to just love people to Jesus, rather than trying to ‘fix them myself.’ Now, I don’t feel guilty if I need to say ‘no’ to something or someone. I take time for me to get recharged – doing things I enjoy (movies, singing, discovering new dishes to cook…), getting massages, reading spiritual books – while still trying to work hard for God and others. I know exercise is good too but I can be lazy.

How has marriage changed your life? Were there any surprises?

I’m so grateful that God gave me a passionate and visionary man who would sometimes help take me out of my comfort zone and live life to the full for God (even while digging my heels in the ground at times!). One of our favorite books is “Sacred Marriage” by Gary Thomas. Its preface is, ‘What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy.’ This was a shock to me because before I became a Christian (and even a bit deep down in my heart after I became a Christian), I always thought my husband was supposed to make me happy. Through our 21 years of marriage, God’s given me opportunities to be more like Jesus (holier), as I face disagreements, disappointments, and challenges in our marriage at times (ex. me needing to be more patient, selfless, kind, respectful, not nagging).

Talk to a 16, 25, and 30-year-old female as to what are some of the core qualities they need to see in a guy for a long, sustainable, and successful marriage?

I believe there are many qualities, but to me, these two are very important – someone who is: (1) a TRUE DISCIPLE OF JESUS who will help you to get to heaven. Someone can be the nicest, cutest, smartest, richest, or generous man; but if he doesn’t love God and doesn’t strive to follow God with his whole heart, then it’s not worth choosing to be with him here on earth, more than choosing to be with Jesus in heaven for eternity (2) a HUMBLE man: who’s willing to see the things he needs to change, not thinking that he knows everything, seeks and takes advice. There are other things but I believe if you’ve got these two, many other things will fall into place.

You are raising two teenagers. I am sure motherhood has changed you. Walk me through that process. Give my audience some practical tips on raising teenagers?

I can honestly say that I not only love my kids, but I LIKE them. One of the things that has helped me to persevere through hard times with them, is to focus on their strengths and talents, rather than on their weaknesses, shortcomings, and things that make me want to scream, which unfortunately seem to be so much easier to see. I try to LISTEN to them, ASK THEM their opinions and what they think about things, TAKE TIME to have dates with them individually (including sometimes doing things that they like to do, even if I don’t), BE VULNERABLE and open with them about my own challenges (with discernment), TREAT THEM LIKE ADULTS (influence them rather than tell them what to do), and HAVE FUN/laugh with them. Remember, this is what I STRIVE to do – I don’t do it perfectly. Just ask them – they’ll tell ya’. LOL

2020 was a tough year, is an understatement. I want you to give my audience hope?

There are so many, but these three scriptures often help me in hard times and give me hope:

Philippians 4:11-13:

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Romans 15:13:

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Habakkuk 3:17-19:

It’s a good thing that our happiness/joy does NOT depend on our circumstances, or we could be victims of our situations and have no hope. I’ve gotten this far in my life with God (I was baptized on January 13, 1991) because GRATITUDE & TRUSTING GOD have motivated me; that has given me HOPE! God is so amazing – no matter where we’re at or what we’ve done… it’s never too late to embrace God’s love, and to me, that’s great and HOPEFUL news!!!

In 2021, we all will need to practice empathy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness. Help me understand this from a practical purpose, how we can utilize these universal qualities in our neighborhoods?

To me, as Christians, we are not much different from our neighbors except that we are ‘saved’ neighbors. We’re humans too – we also get our feelings hurt, are tired, disappointed, struggle with illness, we have our issues… the list goes on. As Christians, I feel fortunate that we have spiritual friends who lead us to Jesus and to a God who is capable to do so much, especially in those times when we’re hurting, tired, disappointed, ill, and dealing with our issues. We can do the same for others and let them see Jesus in our lives; ex. cutting your neighbors’ lawn, making a meal if you see them in need, apologize if you did something wrong to them, dropping off a gift just to encourage them, listening to them if you see they’re hurting, sharing your struggles and how God/the church helps you, etc. Love in action!

Talk to me about what women empowerment means to you?

It’s interesting because we – as our global fellowship – have been studying the biblical roles of women. It’s been wonderful to see what we’ve been learning. God created women to be an ‘Ezer’ (helper), as even referred to as God is an ‘Ezer’ himself. That says a lot! We are strong (enough to carry babies), nurturers, wise, leaders, intelligent… there are so many things that women can provide, young and old. I believe we are seeing that women can do so much more than they’ve been given the opportunity to do – both inside and outside of the church. I look forward to seeing how women will continue, and even soar higher as they are empowered, especially the next generation! The world needs women! “Behind every great man, is a great woman…” actually, not behind him, but should be besides him! 

As a female empowerment blogger, I am aware of a lot of men who advanced causes for women. I am blown away by Jesus. Here is a Rabbi who goes out of his way to empower and love women unconditionally. What can we learn from him on how we can treat women in our lives and in society?

I love Jesus! I know it may sound funny but I think he’s the coolest Dude! I appreciate that he saw people through different eyes than most others (their heart and not their outer appearance or social/cultural status), and he treated people differently than others do (with respect and not caring what others think). I’m grateful for examples like his tough love and vision with the Samaritan woman, his grace with the woman caught in adultery, blessing the faith of the woman who bled for 12 years, and women being the first ones he showed himself to after his resurrection, to name a few. It can be so powerful if we follow his humble and loving example.

I know you are a foodie. So, some rapid-fire questions…

Steak: Medium or well done. Medium rare

Steak: Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Merlot

French fries or poutine. Poutine, bien sûr!

Fav vegetable and why. Sweet potatoes because I have a sweet tooth – I love them roasted with onions and garlic. Yummy! 

Bacon with maple syrup or plain. Totally with maple syrup (that’s the French part in me from my Quebecois hubby)

Fav ice cream. That’s not a fair question – it’s such a hard choice… Ummm  homemade coconut ice cream with chunks of fresh coconut, from the Caribbean

The idea of a romantic date. On a Caribbean island, a delicious meal (dessert included, of course!) by candlelight at a restaurant by the sea, and a walk on the beach afterward

Fav meal of the day and why. Dinner because I don’t usually have an appetite for breakfast (though I know it’s the most important meal of the day), and I like to snack during the day

I take 2 hrs of my time and visit your church. I am going to be like Jesus and ask you for lunch. What is hospitality, why is it important and what will you make me?

My husband and I love to be hospitable and to spoil people with meals. It helps that we love to eat and that we appreciate good food. We believe God has given us a bit of talent to put some tasty things on a plate too. We like people to feel special when they come to our home. Therefore, I’d first check if you have any food restrictions. I know it’s lunch and therefore could be a light meal, but because you don’t come often, it’ll be a bit more for our foodie friend… We’d start with a tossed green salad with a homemade dressing. Then it would be followed by a plate of thin slices of a beef roast with a creamy, decadent mushroom and onion sauce (my husband does such an amazing job with this one), a few brochettes of shrimp (put together in an artistic way by my daughter), that would be leaning on a bed of tasty, light, mashed sweet potato/white potato mix. If you still have space, this would all be followed by a homemade berry trifle and coffee/tea. I’m hungry now!! We’d end our time together with our son leading us in some songs while playing his guitar. Voilà!

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