Amanda Sherzer is a normal girl from Texas whom God has used in a powerful way in unique places of influence. Her story is unique, and the thread of God’s provision in her life is so clear. Not only is Amanda my friend, she’s also my cousin. I hope you’re encouraged by her story of being faithful right where the Lord plants you.
How did you end up working in Washington, DC?
I went to college at Texas A&M University, which is the location of the President George H.W. Bush Presidential Library. Each year the Library hired around ten student interns to drive to Houston once a week to work in President Bush’s personal office. Knowing that I loved politics and history, one of my friends told me about the internship program and encouraged me to call for an interview. I remember feeling so nervous and timid! As a business major, I had no experience in politics besides one touristy trip to DC, and my family had no political connections. How could I be a candidate to work for a former President?!
God’s plans were greater than my expectations for myself. With prayerful courage from the Lord, I pursued the opportunity and got the internship for President Bush. After interning for him for three years in college, I moved to Washington, DC, where I worked on Capitol Hill for one year and at the White House for almost three. I then returned to former President George H.W. Bush’s office to work as Barbara Bush’s Chief of Staff.
Looking back at how God weaved my interests and all the logistics together, I can clearly see God’s hand was working to bring His plans for me to fruition. God wasn’t blessing me with opportunity for my own glory or fun — He had plans to use me in my colleagues’ lives and to use my talents for His glory in a secular workplace. It was about Him, not me.
What were some of your experiences working as a woman and a believer in politics?
Most of my experiences in Washington were wonderful! As a woman, I never felt like there was a “glass ceiling.” With so many strong and smart women as leaders and as co-workers, I believed that the sky was the limit as to what I could accomplish as a woman in America (which is not the case in a lot of other countries).
As a believer, the thing that challenged me the most was DC’s emphasis on power, with the first question out of everyone’s mouths literally being “What do you do?” Sometimes it was an innocent question from a person trying to get to know you, but a lot of times, it was a question to gauge your importance in the world of politics.
From riding in motorcades and walking through the Rose Garden on my way to lunch each day, to passing the leader (or former leader) of the free world in the hallway at work, it was tempting to find my identity in my positions. However, through God’s Word, I truly learned with my whole heart– and I pray that I was able to show others — that all that stuff was rubbish (Phil. 3:8) and that my significance and my identity was not based on any job or success, but rooted in Christ.
Share with me about you and your husband’s story.
My husband, David, and I met at the White House where we were acquaintances and nothing more. We reconnected in the summer of 2009 when I was working for former First Lady Barbara Bush and David was working for former President George W. Bush. The older Bushes (and I) were living in Kennebunkport, Maine, at the time, when David came up to Kennebunkport with his boss when the younger President Bush was visiting his parents. As some of the only twenty-somethings in small-town Maine, David and I hung out a lot during his trip. However, it was just platonic. And besides, David was Jewish – there was no way in my mind that we would ever date, let alone get married!
What I didn’t know was that God was working on my David’s heart to bring him to Christ. Earlier that year, David gradually began to feel that something was missing in his life. Observing Christians in his new workplace in Dallas, Texas, he noticed that their self-worth wasn’t based on external circumstances; they seemed to be content, optimistic, and hopeful regardless of what was going on around them. At the same time, he noticed that his sense of self-worth was based on worldly accomplishments and things. He attended a church service on Palm Sunday, after which he bought a Bible and read it cover to cover.
That is when I came into the picture. As David started to pursue me romantically, I emotionally pulled away from him, thinking we couldn’t work as a couple because we would not be “equally yoked” (2 Cor. 6:14). However, before even knowing everything that was happening with him spiritually, I prayed about it and the Lord made it very clear to me that this was the man I was supposed to marry and that he was going to come to Christ and be a strong, faithful believer. Even though I was afraid and didn’t understand, I obeyed by starting to date David. He shared with me his faith journey and the fact he was starting to believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah the Old Testament points to. He made a profession of faith only a few weeks later.
I must confess, I sometimes hesitate sharing this story because I don’t want to give any girls the idea that it is ok to date non-believers. However, God showed me the importance of following Him even when it doesn’t make sense. Today, David is such a strong spiritual leader for our family and for our church, and through our marriage, I have come to truly understand the meaning of being “equally yoked.” Sometimes God calls us to do things that we don’t understand — we just have to obey!
What advice would you give to women working in the marketplace on how to make an impact for Christ?
If we work lazily and carelessly, if we are not reliable, if we brag about our successes, and if we constantly have a bad attitude, people are not only going to distrust us as co-workers, they are going to distrust our Christian witness.
Instead, we need to work hard, humbly, and without complaining, showing our colleagues that we are people who are going to put the time, energy, and effort into doing our very best. Building a reputation as a trustworthy and good co-worker is vital to forming relationships in which people are receptive to listening to the Good News.
What has been your experience transitioning from working at the White House and for a former First Lady to being a stay-at-home mom?
I wish I could say that the transition was an easy one, but I have to admit it was one of the toughest seasons I have ever experienced. I underwent such a huge lifestyle change and profoundly missed the work life I had grown accustomed to and loved for so many years.
It took time and a lot of prayer before I felt grounded and confident in my role as a mother. However, even then — while I adored my children and was so thankful to be with them every day — I felt very unsettled as a full-time stay-at-home mother. After spending months praying about it, my husband and I both had an overwhelming peace that God was calling me to do something outside the house — we just didn’t know what yet.
As I waited on the Lord, I started writing devotionals and Bible studies during my children’s naps. I had written professionally in all my jobs for the Bushes, so at the time, I just thought I was using my writing skills as a fun past-time. However, God began to reveal His plan, showing me that one of His purposes in having me write in those high-pressure jobs was to prepare me to write about Him. I felt the Lord calling me to get more theological training at Dallas Theological Seminary, where I am now working part-time toward my master’s degree in writing.
Even though I felt such joy and peace when I decided to attend seminary, I also felt such worldly guilt about obeying the call God had on my life. Living in an area that often puts pressure on women to stay-at-home, I was afraid of being labeled a “bad mom” for leaving my children a few mornings a week. Foolish, I know.
What I learned – and am still learning – is that God has particular calls and plans for each of us. That is what makes the Body of Christ so unique, effective, and strong. We women need to give each other grace and prayer instead of judgment as we follow the Lord in His specific plans for us. In doing so, we are building up His Body.
Tell me about one person who has been influential on your spiritual life and why.
For three years in DC, I was in a small group from my church. Our leader, Amy Ferrara, was one of the most influential people in my life — and I am sure all of the other girls’ lives. She encouraged us with great fervor and love to make every single part of our lives obedient to the Lord and to be bold — even when afraid — to follow God in our callings. My years in DC were such a pivotal time in my spiritual growth, as I changed from a girl who was luke-warmly giving parts of my life to Christ, to a woman who was whole-heartedly trying to surrender everything to Him. Amy’s leadership and prayer were so important to that transition.
About Amanda
Amanda Sherzer is a wife and a mother of two young children living in Dallas, Texas. Prior to marriage and motherhood, she attended Texas A&M University. After graduation, she worked at the White House writing for President and Mrs. George W. Bush and then for Mrs. Barbara Bush as her Chief of Staff. Amanda now attends Dallas Theological Seminary and is working toward her master’s degree in writing. Visit her website and blog at www.AmandaSherzer.com
