Charliese B. Lewis Reintroduces a Timeless Anthology of Women’s Faith Stories to the World
“When I think of Hannah, I see myself in her, Charliese Lewis says. “I have struggled with infertility in my own life. Being able to maintain my faith during those years was not easy. But I remember Hannah’s promise that she would commit her child to the Lord if she were to have a child. Even in her distress, she was able to go back to her relationship with God. God honored the desire of her heart. And she honored him by giving Samuel back to God for His service.” Our conversation with educator, author, editor, publicist, radio show host, and podcaster Charliese begins with which woman in the bible inspires her and why.
During our conversation, I thought back on what we had learned about Lewis’s journey from what she had shared with us last year (2022) in a personal essay called The Journey to Motherhood: God’s Exactness, where she revealed she had about 15 corrective surgeries trying to get relief from difficult menstruation and then conceive. The most challenging one she shared was a myomectomy involving a procedure resembling a c-section incision. According to Lewis, that recovery was the most unpleasant she had ever had. During her journey, Lewis experienced heartbreaks, physical exhaustion, and more. She was filled with grief but still prayed and begged God to grant her the desire to become a mother. Lewis’s greatest lesson was dealing with the one area in her life she could not control and had to surrender entirely to God’s will and way.
In 2018, Lewis released her faith story in From the Test to the Testimony: An Anthology of Women’s Faith Stories. The anthology, compiled and edited by Lewis, provides seven reflections told by seven women who have walked seven different but very interwoven journeys as women of faith. Although published in 2018, Lewis feels strongly that the stories are timeless. “This collection deals with many issues common to the everyday woman.” Topics include managing chronic illness, rejection, abandonment, depression, grief, suicidal thoughts, identity confusion, betrayal, and addiction. “At the end of each story is a series of three questions, which I wrote, to help the reader self-reflect and grow spiritually—the larger lessons center around finding purpose, peace, and the power of forgiveness.”
Lewis emphasizes that the stories are personal, intimate, and real. “The true stories these women share are evidence of God’s love and His grace as each one fights in her own way to come out of despair and hopelessness through faith and an intimate relationship with Christ.” According to Lewis, one of the stories in the anthology deals with how a mother grieves the unexpected loss of her child. Through her faith, she reconciles the loss and recognizes she needs professional support to work through her grief. There is also a story in the book about a woman who attempted suicide in her teenage years and was saved by hearing God’s voice, helping her realize that she had a greater purpose in Him. The anthology also tells the story of a woman who overcame a 25-year drug addiction. “God’s grace met her where she was in her addiction. More than anything, I have found these testimonies of healing and hope to be just as important today as they were when the book was released.”
Lewis admits that the project was on her computer for three years before she fully obeyed God to see it to completion. “My life has never been the same after obeying God’s instructions,” she says. “I take the book everywhere: speaking engagements, conferences, and work. It has allowed many women to examine their faith journeys and share their testimonies. It has also inspired more women to write their stories.” Lewis says the book also allowed her to be transparent about her healing journey in the face of loss and the joy of becoming a mother.”
Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Lewis how she felt God was using her to shape our world, and she replied, “There is so much power in our words.” She continues, “God has gifted me to be able to use my words to lead others to Christ. I speak them over the airways. I write them on social media and in magazines. I use them to help students be their best selves. And I teach and preach the Word of God.” Lewis’s roles include being President of Robert and Charliese Lewis Ministries, Inc, Executive Director of Louisville Literary Arts, Inc., a Family and Community Engagement Liaison for Fayette County Public Schools, and a Self-Publishing Servicer. She is also the co-host of The After Church Experience Radio Show and It’s About Time: Conversations with Charliese, Youlonda podcast, and YouTube channel. “I recognize the influence of my voice to empower others to find their purpose in Christ and in the world.”
From the Test to the Testimony: An Anthology of Women’s Faith Stories is available on Amazon and Walmart.com. Anyone who wants an autographed copy can connect with Lewis directly through social media at @charlieseblewis, www.charlieseblewis.com, or https://linktr.ee/charlieseblewis.
