“I was at the point where I was wanting to leave my job. I was fed up with corporate America, but I was vacillating between going to work for someone else or branching out as an entrepreneur,” she said. She had never before considered branching out, so she did what she usually does when faced with a major decision. “I prayed and tried to get some guidance from God.” She prayed and fasted for six weeks, then one day she was thumbing through a magazine and the idea to open a coffee shop dawned on her.
  
She considered buying into a franchise but decided against it.
  
“I’m very independent, and don’t like anybody telling me what to do,” she said. Franchise owners are told exactly what to do and how. So, buying into Starbucks was out, but a new idea was taking root.
  
“I did two years of research and development study in the coffee industry,” said Wiggs, who had a degree in accounting, a master’s in business management, and 23 years of experience as an accountant. “I believe in doing research.”
  
Our beliefs are what brought us to the space where we met Friday – sort of.
  
Dorothy Bailey, a former Prince George’s councilmember whom I hold in the highest esteem, hosts First Fridays at this coffee lounge to give the lounge more exposure. She invited me to read from my new book and speak to a group of women on the theme: Great is Thy Faithfulness.
  
As I prepared for the presentation, I thought about what the Bible says about God’s faithfulness, and I was reminded of an e-mail forward to me recently. “A Handy Little Chart,” was in the subject line on this e-mail, which my mother-in-law had forwarded.  
  
The chart offers a dozen reminders of God’s faithfulness. (Of course I’ll gladly forward you the entire chart if you e-mail me at state@washingtoninformer.com. Copyright laws prohibit me from publishing it in its entirety here.)
  
The chart reads, “We say, ‘I’m too tired.’ God says, ‘I’ll give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28-30) It reads, “We say, ‘I can’t figure things out.’ God says, ‘I will direct your steps.’” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
  
It reads, “We say, ‘I can’t forgive myself.’ God says, ‘I forgive you.’” (Romans 1 John 1:9 and Romans 8:1)
  
The handy little chart is a keeper, but the inspiration the women shared at the More Than Coffee Lounge, was more powerful.
  
I read from my coming-of-age story and talked about losing my balance – and moral compass – and spoke about God’s blessings through it all.
  
Bailey, who continues to empower and encourage younger woman, called on her contemporary sister soldiers to share their wisdom, as well.
  
“What do we do when we lose our footing?” she asked the crowd of about 25 women.  
  
They acknowledged that through their long lives they’ve all lost their balance a time or two. They’ve grieved too long, remained angry too long, stayed in bad situations too long. But they’d all found favorite Bible verses to remind themselves of God’s faithfulness.
  
Wiggs said she favors Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the Lord and be of good courage.” She has the word, “WAIT” on her license plate and most drivers perceive the opposite of what she means. She spoke of waiting on the Lord when making major decisions. She had such a glow when talking about her business, that I called her later for more.
  
What drives her? What sustains her? If her story could inspire me, I’m sure it could inspire others. I thought about women who feel trapped in life-draining jobs, afraid their husband won’t support their new venture.
  
“He’s confident and sure in my financial decisions, and he knows I won’t do anything to jeopardize the family’s finances,” Wiggs said. She saved for two years before branching out, knowing that business owners usually don’t see profits for a while. Her husband was at the shop helping Friday night, as were their two daughters, ages 16 and 20.
  
It was a fine end to a week when I’d doubted my latest career move. I was reminded of the handy little chart, which says, “We say, ‘I’m too tired.’ God says, ‘I’ll give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28-30) It also reminds us, “You say, ‘It’s not worth it.’ God says, ‘It will be worth it.’” (Romans 8:28)
  

Sonsyrea Tate Montgomery is the managing editor of the Washington Informer and author of the new book, “Do Me Twice: My Life After Islam.”