Her Story: Cherry Ervin
her |həː, hə| pronoun 1 used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a female person: her heart was something beautiful.
I was so excited to have Cherry Ervin share her story of God's restoration and faithfulness with our sisterhood at Equipped by Faith last night, and it was more incredible than I could have imagined!
Cherry Ervin is a dear friend and a Dallas native, currently serving in the marketplace as the VP of the Global Wealth Management Division of Bank of America. Cherry seeks to bring a voice to the voiceless and to be a conduit of hope and healing for the lost and broken. There was not a dry eye in the room as she shared about the loss of her former husband and beautiful daughter in a tragic car accident that completely turned her world upside down.
After years of battling with grief and despair, God moved Cherry from a place of brokenness to complete and total trust in Him. The fight is daily, but Cherry encouraged us by saying, "You never give up. No matter what happens in your life--never give up. Put one foot in front of the other, find a friend you can lean on, and keep going. You have to."
Today, Cherry and her growing family are a beautiful display of God's restoration and faithfulness as she and her husband, Richard, serve as licensed foster parents for children in need and have successfully adopted two incredible children into their home. Cherry is an advocate for foster care and adoption and currently serves as a board member for Ohana Ministries.
I know Cherry's faith and story will inspire you to keep going and to keep trusting in God during difficult seasons. If you missed last night, don't worry! We will be sharing the audio podcast with you very soon!
Q&A with Cherry Ervin
1.) What do you think you were put on this earth for? What's your biggest dream in life?
I think I was placed on the earth to be a conduit for Hope. My biggest dream is to leave a legacy that continues to speak long after I am gone.
2.) What are some of the obstacles that you have had to go through to get to the point you are at now?
Fear, pain and dark grief are the 3 that stand out to me. I have had to endure great loss and learn how to rise again from what seemed a mess of broken life. From enduring 3 consecutive miscarriages to later losing my oldest daughter and husband in a tragic car accident, God has been faithful to use my pain and obstacles to condition my heart for Hope!
3.) What motivates/inspires you?
I am inspired by the life of the underdog who, against all odds, triumphs over adversity and trouble.
4.) What do you want to be remembered by?
I want to be remembered as a fighter and a pusher of Hope. A voice that never stops saying, "Don't you dare give up"!
5.) What advice would you give other women searching for their purpose, passion & faith?
That God is not on our time clock. If we learn to move inside his timing, He is always faithful to complete the work that he has started in us. Most things in our life's journey are connected and, if fostered with gratitude, will lead us right to our passion and bring our purpose to full fruition.
6.) What has been your greatest achievement in life?
Being a wife and mother!
7.) How does what you do reflect ministry, what God placed on your heart to share with the world?
I used to think that ministry could only take place inside the four walls of the church. I understand now that my call drives me to my purpose. Whether I am hard at work in the Marketplace or facilitating a Women's Bible Study, I am a carrier of Hope.
8.) What books are you reading?
The Broken Way by Ann Voskamp
Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole
9.) How do you stay encouraged and faith-filled?
First and most importantly, prayer and the Word of God. Secondly, by creating a community of accountability. Women who will partner with me in prayer, intercede on my behalf during times of difficulty and are committed to calling me up/out during personal struggle.
10.) Favorite Scripture of the moment?
"Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and now grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)
Click here to learn more about Cherry and her beautiful story of restoration and hope, and stay tuned for the podcast update! She is such a bright light to our world. Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart with us!
XO-
Sabrina