I had just turned 17 when I made a choice I will forever regret. With my broken heart buried beneath the heavy weight of shame, my choice ruled my life for many years. Years where I experienced more defeat that victory. Domino effect years leading me into deeper brokenness and unfulfilled purpose. But it’s also a choice God used to teach me about His grace. About His love. And about His redemption. It’s one that taught me I am made to brave regret. "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love." -Romans Continue Reading
7 Sweet Reminders for How to Forgive
Can I be honest with you? I’m not that great at knowing how to forgive! It's just not very easy sometimes, when all the pain and hurt wells up inside and spills over all ugly. When we come face to face with the shame and regret and anger, and it flows straight from our heart and out of our mouth with the force of a spewing geyser. And then it’s too late. It’s too late to take it all back and tuck it away nicely and pretend it never happened. Because the debris of what's left behind from our suffering now lies is someone else's life. And the regret hangs heavy . We find ourselves thrust into the dark space of unresolved and unintended. Too many triggers to be covered in compassion. Too many offenses to bow in the presence of mercy. a broken heart~ a betrayal of Continue Reading
When You Need Freedom from Your Shame Dress
For years, I believed that living without shame was like living without blood...there was just no way I could ever do it. Every morning, I would put my shame on like a dress around my heart. My "shame dress" was heavy and colored with guilt, dishonor, self-reproach, and humiliation. Inside I was a wreck. Yet like a typical shame sufferer, I kept it to myself. The only thing worse than the shame I was carrying was others knowing what was really going on in my heart. What was I so ashamed of? My shame came from my poor relationship with Jesus. You see, I knew that I needed to be seeking Him more, reading more, praying more and feeling more...something. However, I came up empty-handed every time. I could not get the hang of this Christianity thing. Was a relationship with Continue Reading
7 Sweet Reminders for How to Forgive
Can I be honest with you? I’m not that great at knowing how to forgive! It's just not very easy sometimes, when all the pain and hurt wells up inside and spills over all ugly. When we come face to face with the shame and regret and anger, and it flows straight from our heart and out of our mouth with the force of a spewing geyser. And then it’s too late. It’s too late to take it all back and tuck it away nicely and pretend it never happened. Because the debris of what's left behind from our suffering now lies is someone else's life. And the regret hangs heavy . We find ourselves thrust into the dark space of unresolved and unintended. Too many triggers to be covered in compassion. Too many offenses to bow in the presence of mercy. a broken heart~ a betrayal of Continue Reading