Inspired Life: Patsy Clairmont

Author and motivational speaker Patsy Clairmont immediately draws you in with her kindness, humor, and spunk. It’s a testament to God’s grace that this firecracker of faith, who now speaks to crowded arenas of women, was once housebound with agoraphobia.

I recently grabbed five minutes with Patsy to discuss the Women of Faith conference and what the future holds for her. I knew I was in for a memorable experience when I extended my hand to introduce myself and she beamed, pulled me into an embrace and told me, “I do hugs.”

Hope: What have you thought of the Women of Faith conference this year?

PC: This year’s conference, for me, I’m on the side of the country that’s called “Over the Top” and I’d have to say, so far, that’s been my experience. It’s been over the top! I have such a privilege and a delight to work with such exceptional women. I keep thinking they’re gonna find me out and make me go home! But I love being part of this circle of being able to encourage other women in their faith.

Hope: Have you heard any inspiring stories that have come out of this conference?

PC: I hear it quite often. I think the things that move me the most, though, are the women who come up to me. Like today, a woman said to me that she had just buried her son two weeks ago. And I think to myself, the courage that it took to get out of bed, and to get her clothes on and to make it to this place. They often are the ones that fan my faith, rather than me fanning theirs. Although because of the generosity of the heart of God, He does make it reciprocal. That always amazes me and blesses me.

Hope: If there was one message that you hope the women could take back from this conference, what would it be?

PC: For one thing, it would be the practicality of God’s Word, because they can take that back to their home and those principles can help them in everything they do. It can help them to relate better, it can help them to be still. I’m a noisy woman, so that’s often the message I get. It can also give them the courage to speak up.

Hope: When you think of a woman of faith — someone who inspired your own faith — who comes to mind?

PC: Well, it starts like 150 years ago. There was a woman by the name of Jill Renich. She was a teacher, she was a living example, and she became an author of a book called To Have and To Hold. It was a book on marriage that was very practical and based on truth from God’s Word. I was able to watch God use that information to transform my own marriage. My husband is still deeply grateful for that woman that made me behave!

HM: What can fans of Patsy Clairmont expect in the near future?

PC: Well, I am working on a book right now called Stained Glass Hearts and it’s [about] seeing life through a broken perspective. That’s my most current activity — being involved in that and also involved in Revolve conferences for the teenage girls. I don’t get to attend, unfortunately, because I get too rowdy. But I get to help the speakers on the platform get some of their information organized, and I love doing that.

To see Patsy Clairmont at a Women of Faith event, visit www.womenoffaith.com.