Episode 50 - Finding Identity, Faith, and Family with Michelle Lazurek

Date: October 29, 2024
Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Michelle Lazurek

Story Highlight:

Welcome to The Women Behind the Words! In this special episode, we’re thrilled to host Michelle Lazurek, award-winning author, speaker, and literary agent. Michelle joins us to discuss her latest book, Hall of Faith: Remembering Ordinary People Who Trusted an Extraordinary God, releasing today! Michelle opens up about her difficult childhood, sharing how a sense of unworthiness and seeking approval shaped her early life. When she found Christ in her early 20s, her conversion caused a painful rift in her family, leading her parents to ask her to leave home. Despite the hardship, Michelle found strength in her new faith, leaning on a supportive church family and eventually reconciling with her own family.

Michelle’s story reflects her journey of resilience and obedience, stepping out in faith to follow God’s call and sharing the importance of small acts of kindness as demonstrations of our love for Christ. In Hall of Faith, Michelle emphasizes that showing faith doesn’t mean grand gestures; rather, it’s choosing godly actions over worldly responses in daily life. By doing this, we point people to Jesus and the way He showed us to live a godly life. Whether helping a friend, supporting family, or praying together, each small action reflects a powerful faith.

About the Guest:
Michelle Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mother. She contributes regularly to iBelieve.com and Crosswalk.com and reviews films for Movie Guide Magazine. She is also a literary agent with WordWise Media Services. Michelle’s writing journey began at a ladies’ retreat in 2009, where she felt God’s call to write. Since then, she’s authored numerous books, including Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved and her latest release, Hall of Faith. Michelle’s work is all about engaging her audience in a way that makes them feel valued and connected. She and her family reside in Connecticut, where they enjoy collecting ‘80s memorabilia and time spent with their spirited dog.

Book Spotlight:
Hall of Faith: Remembering Ordinary People Who Trusted an Extraordinary God by Michelle Lazurek

Releasing today, Hall of Faith is a transformative devotional that encourages readers of all ages to recognize that demonstrating faith doesn’t always require grand gestures. Michelle emphasizes that simple acts of kindness, standing up for others, and selfless service in daily life can point others to God. Through powerful stories of biblical and modern figures, Michelle shows how we can find purpose and express our faith in seemingly small actions. Each devotion includes reflection questions and scriptural insights to help readers align their lives with God’s teachings. A perfect reminder for families, this book provides practical ways to live out the faith with intentionality, compassion, and love.

Key Takeaways from Hall of Faith:
One of the central messages in Hall of Faith is that children and adults alike don’t need to perform huge acts to show their faithfulness to God. Instead, demonstrating faith often happens in everyday interactions—whether it’s being kind to a friend, standing up for someone, or helping a person in need. Such actions reflect the belief that God is real, His Word is true, and that Jesus serves as our ultimate example of godly living.

• Small Actions Matter: Acts like sharing, kindness, and standing against bullying are ways to live out faith. By choosing compassion over cruelty or peace over retaliation, we mirror Christ’s love to others.
• Faith in Everyday Moments: Small acts of generosity and service, like donating supplies or sending a card, create ripples of God’s love in our communities.
• Family Faithfulness: Families can model faith through communal prayers, volunteering, and simply living out God’s Word in daily routines.
• Living Counter-Culturally: When we respond differently than the world might expect, we point others to God and His truth.

Connect with Michelle:

• Website: Michelle Lazurek
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: Michelle Lazurek Author
  • Instagram: @michellelazurek
  • Twitter: @MichelleLazurek

Michelle’s story and insights in this episode remind us of the power of small, everyday acts to make a lasting impact. We hope her message encourages you to look for opportunities to share God’s love in your own life and with those around you.