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My Letter to Rachel Held Evans

Rachel Held Evans, author of "A Year of Biblical Womanhood", is my new favorite person. She is funny, witty, clever, articulate, bold, loving, thoughtful, caring, intelligent, and I'm pretty sure we own the same necklace (see above photo), which I think makes us soul-sisters.

I recently wrote her a letter, and wanted to share it with my sisters-for-real so you'd know what was going on in my life. And to explain why I haven't wanted to go shopping at the mall lately.

Here it is:

Dear Rachel,

Thank you.

For your wit, your wisdom, and your willingness to pursue God in the face of conflict and ridicule. I read "A Year of Biblical Womanhood" and have told everyone I possibly can to read it. I'm pretty sure my friends are a little sick of hearing about it, actually. The whole time I was reading it, I was thinking, "It's like she's writing the things that were in my head!"

I wanted you to know that the chapter on Charity was especially pertinent. The stirrings of conviction came over me when you wrote about giving up chocolate and coffee that was harvested unethically. I wrestled with the idea for all of five minutes; then turned to my husband, explained what I had been reading, and asked if he would pray about our giving up coffee and chocolate that wasn't Fair Trade. He looked up from his iPad and said, "Why would I have to pray about that? Surely it's the right thing to do." (Go team Wayne and Cory!)

But the real life-altering change came a few days later. I was researching Fair Trade coffee and chocolate brands, and while online I saw the story of Bangladesh factory collapse on the news. I heard about the hundreds (thousands?) of factories the world over who were filled with women and children - some slaves, some abused - all of whom are underpaid and undervalued. And I realized I was sitting in the luxurious comfort of my home, wearing the very clothes that these hands had made. My spirit seemed to cry out within me. "Chocolate and coffee is not enough! I can not clothe my body with the blood and misery of others."

So began my quest to buy ethically made clothing.

The truth is, I haven't purchased a piece of clothing since. Ethically made clothing isn't so easy to find. Or very cheap. And I'm looking into a future that might be filled with an out-of-fashion, frumpy-looking wardrobe. Or, a very limited, only-own-one-outfit-because-ethically-made-clothing-is-so-pricey wardrobe. Which seems ridiculously burdensome to a modern day American woman.

Until I remember the beautiful faces of the children and women who suffer every single day so that I can wear cheap clothes.

Yes, I know the issue is multi-faceted and complex. Yes, I know it can be argued that these women and children need the income from these abusive jobs. Yes, I know that my not purchasing clothes isn't even a drop in the bucket of the real problem. But it is what God put on my heart to do, and I can not relent.

So if ever I get to meet you (dear God, how I would love it if that could happen!) and my clothes are a few years out of date, please remember that the revelations I gained from hearing your own thoughts about charity were the impetus God used to bring me to this place of conviction.

And I truly thank you for it.

With love,

Cory Patterson 


So, to my sisters out there, have you ever felt God put something on your heart that you knew would be difficult to live out? Or make you chance a very regular part of your life? Or have you read a book that impacted you in an unexpected way? I'd love to hear about it!

Meet    
    Cory

Psalm 84 and Trusting God
Messy Hospitality
Hit the Ground... Waltzing
Where Have I Been? (Living Without Hope)
Confessions of an Imperfect Christian Mom

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