Chassie A.

Today, Chassie speaks to us about hustle culture, her focus on natural beauty, and she vulnerably shares about when her relationship with God felt broken and how He pursued her. Thank you, Chassie for your vulnerability.

Chassie A.

Tell us a bit about how you grew up and your childhood: I grew up in Houston, TX in a family of 7. I have two older brothers, one older sister, and a baby sister. While I was raised in a Christian household, my relationship with Jesus pretty much broke after my parents divorced when I was 11. I don’t remember consciously deciding to walk away from a daily relationship with Him; I think everything and everyone around me was suffering and broken, and over time our hearts hardened. This had a huge impact on my already low self esteem, and so I found myself losing interest in extracurricular activities, my studies, and my family. So, I started turning to boys and being popular to fulfill the whole in my heart.

“I think everything and everyone around me was suffering and broken, and over time our hearts hardened.”

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: I am currently reading through the book of James. I have had a long three years, full of struggles, pruning, and trials. So this verse brings me comfort:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: Honestly, my spiritual growth focus at the moment is to be daily disciplined in spending time with the Lord. This past year, things were just very hard for me, and most days I found it hard to even crack open my Bible or even pray. More specifically, my simple prayer is that the Holy Spirit would produce in my heart for my first love, Jesus. That above anything else, I would give myself to HIM, seek His Words when I need wisdom, run to Him when I’m hurt, go to Him to celebrate the victories in my life.

Profession: I am a professional hairstylist + makeup artist, specializing in bridal beauty.

Tell us more about your focus on natural beauty. Why is this important to you? I think it’s important to encourage women to love themselves the way that they were created. I know that sounds oh so cliche, but in a world that is telling us to constantly improve, lift, chisel, cover, color, style, and many many more things, it can be defeating when we just look at ourselves in the mirror without hair done + makeup.

We can feel exhausted having to spend sometimes hours of our day getting ready. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t put on makeup or color our hair, obviously I LOVE IT, but I want us to feel just as beautiful without all of that. And when we do go to put on our makeup or style our hair, we can do it coming from a heart that feels loved, valued, and secure.

That way it’s an expression of what is happening on the inside of us, rather than something to give us our significance. ‘Cause if we are going to beauty for our significance in life, let me tell you (from experience), it will lead to frustration, negative self thoughts/talk, and low self esteem, even if we don’t show it on the outside. I guess what I’m really saying is we feel most beautiful when we have a correct view of ourselves, and in my experience, that only comes from a relationship with our Creator.

“We feel most beautiful when we have a correct view of ourselves, and in my experience, that only comes from a relationship with our Creator.”

If you wrote a memoir, what would the title be? Just for a moment let’s be STILL!

When did you first encounter God and how did you encounter Him? Well, I know I had many encounters with Him throughout my whole life. He has always been pursuing me, but the time He finally got my attention I was in my twenties. I had been dating a boy (my now husband), and he invited me to his church. Growing up, my mother and father shared a passion for music and often lead worship at our church. So singing had become an area of my life that I closed off. When Noah asked me to church, I would go, but I would not worship. I guess it was just too painful because that’s how my family would connect. I had been holding a grudge against God and my parents for their divorce when I was 11. I heard for the first time that I was a sinner and had hurt God just like I was hurt by my parents, but instead of holding a grudge against me, He continued to move towards me. That broke me, in a good way. I remember sobbing like a little baby right there in the middle of church. I actually felt a weight lifted off of me. The heavy burden of all the hurts from my past was starting to lighten. I have never been the same since that day. I asked God for forgiveness, and extended forgiveness to my parents.

How has your relationship with Him changed you? A relationship with the Lord will find its way into all the aspects of your life. I must admit, sometimes that feels marvelous and other times I don’t want to open up certain doors. But I have learned that growth happens in those uncomfortable places. But I am a completely different person today than I was 10 years ago. I struggle a lot with meltdowns, anger, and frustration, mostly at myself, but God has really began restoring the way that I view myself. I used to see myself as this unstable, highly emotional, angry monster. But now I see that those were unhealed wounds, un-delt with conflict, and mostly shame from my past. He is slowly reforming my identity, and rooting it in HIMSELF and the way He sees me.

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): To Hell with the Hustle. Omg, such a good read. I am currently re-reading. It has so much, but I think I learned that the anxiety, stress and overwhelming feelings I experience are not always a result of my sin, but actually some of the brokenness that is in American culture. Really asking the Lord to teach me to say no to even really good things, so that I can focus on a few really good things that I know He has created me for… things that are within my own talents, passions, and giftings. And to SLOW DOWN. Sit still, and that often in that silence, is where we can truly meet with God.

“I learned that the anxiety, stress and overwhelming feelings I experience are not always a result of my sin, but actually some of the brokenness that is in American culture.”

Hobby: All things plants + DIY home improvements!

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: Growing in the discipline of prayer, confession, and staying connected to other believers.

How do you engage with your community? I love using the freedom I have been given in Christ to point others to His love, especially those most vulnerable in my city and around the world. Homeless ministries, anti-trafficking ministries, orphan care, and many others. I have a HUGE passion for serving in these capacities, and help others see that they too can make a difference in someone’s life.

Thing you want to raise awareness about: Human Trafficking! My business actually directly supports some local ministries fighting this on the front lines!

What does your morning routine consist of? Coffee, trying to have a still, quiet time to gather myself before starting my busy day. This doesn’t always happen, though. OF course some puppy snuggles with my dog, Calypso!

What is on your nightstand? Epic of Eden book, Raven + Lily eye pillow, CBD oil, and Melatonin.

Define Christianity in a sentence: “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32

For more Chassie:

IG: @crownofglorybeauty

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XX