Healing and Transformation
Finding Freedom in God's Unconditional Love and Grace
For many years, I tried to earn acceptance by serving others or successfully completing assignments using my talents and abilities. I found that the acceptance I earned was fleeting—it was here today and gone tomorrow. Not only did I try to earn the favor of people, but I also believed I needed to earn the favor of God. Unfortunately, I never felt like I was good enough. I am so thankful that a community of young people helped me understand that God’s love is freely given to those who place their trust in Christ alone for forgiveness and peace.
God’s love, acceptance, healing, power, strength, peace, provision, and joy are written into every part of my story and success.
God’s Love in Every Season
As a confused child and quiet, insecure youth, God’s love filled the God-shaped vacuum in my heart. He also filled the father-shaped hole created when my dad abandoned our family.
As a young minister, He gave me strength and wisdom as I directed educational programs and wrote curriculum.
As a young mother, He was my refuge as I worked full time in sales, tried to win the favor of my husband and children through constant service, and also struggled with cancer.
As a middle-aged mother, He brought emotional healing as I collapsed into depression and was forced to confront my repressed inner pain related to abandonment, rejection by my father, and the stress of trying to find acceptance through perfection.
As an older minister, He constantly reminds me that He is my strength and shield, my shelter in the time of storm. He daily fills me with joy and peace. I am so thankful that He provides stability in a chaotic world.
Today, I can look at my life and see Him in every season. My story is continually used by Him to help others as I talk with people in my community and guide individuals toward healing through the small groups I lead in my church, jail, and the juvenile detention center, as well as through the curriculum and books I write.
