Ruffled by Grace: Rebellious Blessings for a Fierce Faith

by Michelle Wahila

256 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2025

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s such an authentic telling of how it feels to grapple with the demands of everything when raising little ones. Michelle wraps her personal journey seamlessly into a beautiful bouquet of roses. She bravely embraces life and LOVE REIGNS!

[Maree Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle uprooted her life and family in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania for a pastoral role in Paris, France. The role sounded like her dream job. However, it became apparent quickly that she was not what the parish and leadership expected. She came to feel belittled, powerless, uninspired, empty, and depressed. She was working long and thankless hours at the expense of her family relationships and began to question, "Why did God lead me here? Am I really ungrateful and incompetent like they say I am?"

Michelle, through a little prayer and many tears, came to realise she had made herself small in order to fit into the expectations of the institution (or Executive Jesus). In doing so, she was no longer able to love the people of her parish as fully as she felt was necessary.

With full faith in God, she stepped away from ministry, and God unexpectedly provided her with a whole new career path; marrying couples eloping in Paris for various reasons, and who had often been turned down by the churches (including LGBTQ+).

Michelle's story demonstrates God's faithfulness even through trauma and hardship, and even trauma cause by the Church institution itself. She describes how she was able to still 'minister' to those in need outside of the four walls and was, in fact, less restricted and freer to love people in a way Jesus calls us to do.

[Rebecca Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re searching for blessings and spiritual insights rooted in vulnerability and shared humanity, “Ruffled by Grace” delivers. It reads like a series of intimate conversations. Pastors in particular will resonate with the struggle of both loving the church, and nearly being destroyed by the demands of “executive Jesus.” But really anyone who has found themselves in the midst of a situation that is crushing their soul, will find both solace and refreshment in how grace shows up in the most unexpected people and places. And that one can flourish outside the bounds of “typical” ministry. Each chapter is followed by a devotional blessing for your own daily use.

[Janis Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a delight. As a Clergy women who has struggled to feel like she has a voice at the table it was a breath of grace to read Michelle's words of honesty. She walked the perfect balance of letting us into her world, into the very darkest corners of what a broken place the church can be and what that means for it's leaders. Many of these prayers are versions of ones I myself pray. Some will be lifted up in new ways as I move forward in ministry. I adore that you can read this one chapter at a time, or sit and read it all. Pick the one that fits you where you are. A timely book in todays society.

[Janey Sager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. So many women have similar stories of the patriotic ruining their ideas and careers. It's so encouraging to see a woman coming out stronger on the other side. Thanks for sharing your story so we can all be inspired.

[Paul Prins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within these pages, Reverend Michelle Wahila invites you into the very real and often messy world of being a minister from behind her lace collar. She uses the phrase 'love-soaked courage' in the second to last chapter of the book, and this is what she offers to her readers throughout. You are invited to reflect, see, hear, and experience the turbulence of ministry that gives way to something beautiful that Michelle could never have expected. As with many things in ministry, there is joy in being and becoming with God. The process is always a mess, and she tells her story with authenticity, courage, and humor. I found myself encouraged by a kinship of ministry experiences and by the way she has navigated in France.