How do you act, what do you say, when you feel nothing? When the hurts have ripped carmine-red, when the bad news and lame excuses echo empty, but the tears have dried? Whoever said words don’t hurt, they lied. There is a pain that worms its way into our hearts and relationships, our very lives, everything […]
When A Woman Finds Her Voice
When We Dare to be Brave
Dear Silence–Breaker, You must know you pierce my heart, kindle my compassion, as I watch you battle for the courage to change, to heal. You’ve been trying to do this on your own, and there’s no need. I am here. I see how much you have suffered. I feel your fears. But you are […]
When God {Really} Is Enough
“It’s time—hurry up! Be quiet. Stay out of sight, or else.” Carol’s mother forced her and her siblings beneath two single beds. It was stifling hot, humid, and hard to breathe—an awful place to be stuck on a sunny afternoon. Tucked in the attic, the children didn’t dare allow any sound to escape. That upper […]
Breaking Free from Toxic Emotions
Guest post today by Sarah Knepper One year ago this week I wanted my life to be over. That’s hard to fathom now even as I see those words. But I saw no end to the pain and pressure and after years of negative thinking I simply wanted to walk away from it all. From […]
A Purpose for the Pain?
Surrender? Trust God with this? Perhaps the words roll off the tongue a little distastefully for you at times, too, no? I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent so much of my life out of control that the mere thought of surrender can sometimes freak me out. I’ve lived many years fearfully micro-managing this […]
Hearing the Voice of God
Precious Daughter, You are safe to leave your water jar, safe to turn to me for all your needs. Yes, all of your needs. I love you. And I really do have great plans for you—in spite of all you’ve seen come against you. On this journey to find our voices, we must first hear […]
Forgive Them? Really?!
For years I struggled with forgiving two different men in my life. One who was designed to nurture, to shape me for healthy relationships, and another who had vowed to love, honor, and protect. Both men failed. Miserably. And I held onto that for a very long time. Grudges are so much easier than grace. These relationships […]
Connecting with Others {Even When We’ve Been Hurt}
The women gathered in a semicircle, the leader rocking in her chair with half-finished quilting squares draped across her lap. Etched lines marked her face with a painterly contentment that was somehow pressing my own unrest. She spoke with a confidence I refused to believe. “I miss her, yes, and oh how I wish she […]
The View Behind the Mask
Last week was our first link-up on When A Woman Finds Her Voice, and that link up sparked some awesome conversation and heart-connections. We’ll be doing it here each Wednesday, this linking up and finding our voices, and oh how we hope you join us. Whether you’re a worn-out mama, a worry-wart wife, or a […]
Finding Your Voice
Psssst … hey You. The beautiful woman with whom I’ve shared my heart over these past months. I need your help. There, I said it. Hard to admit for this recovering perfectionist whose life was long fashioned by the guilt-inducing mantra, If I ask for help, I will be seen as weak. And if I’m […]