We are so quick to rely on our knee jerk assumptions instead of really seeking to understand.

A friend recently reminded me of the quote that says, “it’s always the darkest before the dawn” so I’m gonna hold onto that with expectation that my dawn is coming.

My healing needed to start with accepting myself for who I was and for how Jesus sees me. For me, there could be no healing without Jesus being in it.

With my hands held out, fully surrendered, to the one who controls it all- I am doing my best to trust Gods plan for my life.

I have discovered that when walking through trauma and pain, it is often the uniqueness of our situation that brings about the feeling of isolation. That feeling of no one else will ever understand what I’ve gone through or what I’m currently going through and as a result: I feel completely and utterly alone in this world.

If I really believe what God says in His word, about being thankful in all things, then I have to believe I can be thankful for the heartache, pain and suffering that comes my way, knowing there is a bigger picture and purpose for it. 

The journey of healing requires a choice and a belief that it’s possible.

I will chose to go after healing, day after day. Why? Because it’s worth it. I don’t want to go back to who I used to be.

Learning to be thankful in the waiting…

If suffering is the only thing that keeps me most connected to the redeeming power and resurrection power of Jesus; then let it be so.

God takes what feels worthless and useless, and wants to offer us something more.

I’m feeling thankful today. Thankful for the courage of others who have paved the way before me. And thankful for the community of family and friends who have walked with me.

Our stones will sit at the front of our property and serve as a declaration of God’s goodness and faithfulness. It will be a personal reminder to me that I can trust Him as we continue to step into a future that is unknown.

When the world only sees our failures and disappointments, God sees the future glory that is to come.

Compared to where I was a year ago, I can be confident of this: God is good and I am growing.

Where our fairytale ends, God’s redemption story begins.

Moving Forward