Meet Edith Roper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Edith Roper.

Hi Edith, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
As I reflect on my journey, I can’t help but chuckle at the thought of sharing “my story.” I firmly believe that everything I have accomplished is a gift from my loving Father God. I am privileged to be the wife of a remarkable man of God, the first African American Lieutenant General of the United States Army Reserve. Together, we have been blessed with two exceptional and talented daughters. Krystle, a JAG officer serving in the United States Army, and Amber, a minister, neuropsychologist, and songwriter. Let me briefly take you through the transformation He has brought into my life.

Allow me to take you back to a pivotal moment when I met the man who would become my husband. I met my husband on a rather disastrous blind date. It was a double date with my roommate, her date, and my future husband, who happened to be a close friend of my roommate’s date. We went to a local restaurant, but things took an unexpected turn when my roommate’s date revealed he had no money. However, my future husband and I decided to leave rather than make it awkward. I was initially upset with my future husband, but he made it up to me by planning a lovely evening at the lake the next day. It was then that I realized the kind of gentleman he truly was.

Fast forward through the years, and I find myself blessed with a fulfilling career in corporate America, two wonderful daughters, and the opportunity to embrace my passion for biblical studies and ministry. My journey led me to earn dual bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama. However, with the birth of our youngest daughter, Amber, my husband and I felt compelled to trust God’s plan for our lives. I chose to transition from a successful corporate career to becoming a devoted full-time mother and the Chief Operating Officer of the Roper household.

My deepening faith led me to pursue biblical studies, eventually becoming a Bible teacher and licensed minister. For seven years, my husband and I served as site pastors, overseeing a vibrant community Bible study with around 200 participants. We wholeheartedly embraced the responsibility of leading adult, children, and youth ministries, teaching and guiding others through the transformative power of the Scriptures.

Currently, I volunteer as a lay minister and discipleship teacher at my local church in Birmingham, Alabama. Through Zoom, I conduct 8-week Bible studies, sharing practical insights with adult learners. Additionally, I am the founder of WALTZ (Winning At Life Together for Zion), a non-profit organization dedicated to hosting an annual Rest In Grace Conference. Our group organizes an annual Rest In Grace conference, where we share the liberating message of grace with the world.

This year marked a significant milestone in my journey as I released my first book, Rest In Grace. It serves as a devotional guide, teaching readers how to face life’s challenges with resilience and triumph, without succumbing to worry or solely relying on their abilities. Through a 30-day journey, this devotional deepens the reader’s understanding of God’s grace and encourages them to place their trust in Jesus’ power. By highlighting biblical truths, it empowers believers to find rest in God’s amazing grace, glorifying Him and achieving success in their endeavors.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In recent times, I experienced an immense challenge that tested my reliance on God’s grace. In December 2020, my beloved mother, sister, and brother-in-law, who all lived together, contracted COVID-19. This was before the vaccine was available. My brother-in-law became severely ill and had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

Meanwhile, my sister, also battling the virus, struggled to care for our mom. My husband and I were stationed at Fort Bragg and we returned home on December 21, dropping off supplies and food for the family. However, due to the contagiousness of the virus, I was not allowed to enter the house. The next morning, I received a call to come to my mom’s house, only to discover a crowd of cars in the yard and a medical professional checking her vital signs. It was at that moment that they pronounced her passing. Soon after, we laid my dear mother to rest, and tragically, my brother-in-law passed away just a week later while still in the hospital. My sister, devastated by the loss of both her mother and husband, stood as the sole survivor of that challenging time.

Through this immense trial, I relied on the grace of God, and He granted me peace that surpassed understanding. It was a peace that I couldn’t fully comprehend at times, but it anchored me through the difficult days. God’s grace enabled me to speak at my mom’s funeral, bringing comfort and solace to my grieving family. Although it was an incredibly challenging period for me, I am grateful that I could fully trust God’s promises.

His peace not only surpassed the understanding of the world but also provided inspiration and encouragement to those who attended the service. They remarked that it didn’t feel like a somber occasion but rather a celebration of a life lived with grace, leaving them inspired to continue their journeys with renewed hope.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I serve as a lay minister and discipleship teacher at my home church in Birmingham Al, providing spiritual guidance and support to individuals within my community.

I have founded a non-profit organization with the sole purpose of spreading the empowering message of grace, helping individuals find freedom and liberation in their lives.

As a recent author, I am thrilled to share that my first book, titled ‘Rest in Grace,’ was published in January of this year. It explores the transformative power of grace and its ability to bring peace and restoration to our lives.”

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
My spiritual journey was marred by inconsistency, as I believed God’s love for me was akin to that of a human being’s love. It was based on a transactional mentality—when I did well, I expected good things, and when I fell short, I anticipated punishment.

Regrettably, I lacked the profound relationship that God desired to have with me, one where I could trust and rely on Him based on who He is, rather than what I could accomplish. I was afraid of God’s punishment, fearing that I failed to love Him wholeheartedly, unaware that it was He who gave me the desire and ability to love Him. For many years, I believed that loving God was something I had to do in my strength, failing to grasp that my obedience did not determine His love for me. I erroneously equated His love with my performance, leading to a flawed understanding of His grace.

A turning point in my thinking occurred years ago when my Pastor imparted a teaching on God’s Amazing Grace. This prompted me to embark on personal research, delving into the concept of grace. I discovered that grace is not just a mere concept or biblical message but a way of life for believers. Subsequently, my small group at that time (WALTZ) engaged in a focused study on grace, delving into biblical insights. It proved to be a transformative, liberating, and joyful study, further deepening our comprehension of God’s grace. We embarked on reading books by influential authors like Andrew Farley, Joseph Prince, and others, which added greater depth to our understanding.

Only when I truly comprehended my identity in Christ did my roller coaster ride come to an end. Although I was well-versed in numerous scriptures, I had misinterpreted some, leading me to believe that I must work for my salvation rather than rest in His grace. Throughout my journey, I have learned invaluable lessons that have shaped my understanding of who I am in Christ and how God perceives me as His child. I have embraced the importance of personal scripture study, recognizing the need to rely not solely on the interpretations of others but on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Moreover, I have come to realize that God never intended for His children to experience a fluctuating and unstable relationship with Him. The very purpose of sending His Son, Jesus, was to restore an intimate connection with us. I firmly believe that God desires me to share the liberating truth of grace with all those I encounter. He longs for the world to receive Him and experience the abundant life found in Christ—a life characterized by peace, hope, and joy.

As I continue on this remarkable journey, I am humbled by the transformative power of God’s grace. Every day presents new opportunities to surrender, trust, and rest in His unwavering love. I am eternally grateful for the blind date that led me to my loving husband, the challenges that deepened my faith, and the revelation of grace that set me free. May my story serve as an inspiration for others to embrace their journeys, finding rest in the abounding grace and love of our heavenly Father.

Contact Info:

• Website: restingrace.com