If you’re visiting my blog today from my Proverbs 31 devotion, Just When I Thought I Was Okay, then I’m so glad you’re here. I can only assume you are struggling some trauma triggers of your own, and my heart goes out to you. A lot of my triggers stem from the painful journey I went through for years in my marriage, and especially from the arduous and joy robbing trek of separation and divorce. However, we all go through different situations and seasons of trauma, yet the emotional impact they have on our hearts is much the same. Growing from emotional triggers is not easy and takes time, but ..read more

I was so honored to be invited to be a featured guest on the popular The Leaders Life Podcast with Ammar Assad to talk about navigating hard seasons, writing, story telling, author coaching, personal healing, empowerment and so much more. I hope you can take a few minutes today to listen to this great conversation with me and my friend, Ammar. I promise you’ll glean some encouragement and inspiration to keep pushing forward in any area of your life. And if you feel God has given you a powerful story to tell, or you’re one of those 75% of people in the world who feel they have a stor ..read more

As promised in today’s Proverbs 31 devotion, leave a comment below sharing which one of these tips you are going to implement in your life, and enter to win a free book of your choice from my bookstore!  Keeping a check on my thought patterns and how they are affecting my psyche and outlook is something I learned to do years ago. The reality is that when the situations of life don’t “feel” positive, it’s often hard to think positive. But fortunately, it’s not impossible. Being a positive thinker doesn’t mean living with a Pollyanna / rose colored glasses mentality. It simply means choosin ..read more

Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—” (NLV) Nothing happens in our lives by coincidence.  This is a truth I’ve learned the hard way, but it is, indeed, a truth. The truth. God is in control. Years ago as a young college student, after going through a traumatic, heartbreaking and life altering experience, I thought God was probably done with me. And I certainly never thought that He could turn things around and use that experience for something good. Yet He did exactly that. Because that is what He does as the Sover ..read more

As I mentioned in today’s Proverbs 31 devotion, I totally understand what it feels like to turn the calendar over to a new year, and instead of feeling expectant and excited , feel consumed with grief, disappointment and fear.  Believing with all my heart and mind I would never be able to feel truly happy again, much less love my life. January 2016, a few months after my husband left mine and my children’s lives, was probably the worst beginning to a new year I’d ever experienced, as I was still reeling with shock and fear about my shattered life. Each followed January, I tried to have a ..read more

When Christmas Feels Broken When Christmas Feels Broken Tuesday, December 21, 2021|3 Comments When life changes, so do the holidays. And not always in ways we like or feel good about. My devotion at Proverbs 31 today, When Christmas Feels Broken, talks about this and how hard my first Christmas was as a single mom. But I also recognize that regardless of what might have turned our life upside down, the holidays can often feel joy-less instead of joy-ful. You can read the whole devotion HERE.  Yet for those who have experienced pain and heartache during the holidays due to separatio ..read more

Hi friend, I hope your holiday season is off to a great start! Today I wanted to share an article I wrote which is posted on my friend’s blog, Dr. Michelle Bengston.  I wrote this for those who are trying to help friends and loved ones whose marriages have failed and don’t know what to do or say, and it’s called  The Do’s and Don’ts of Helping a Friend Through Divorce. The truth is, the holidays can be hard for a lot of people for various reasons, but it’s especially hard for those whose lives and families have been turned upside down by separation and divorce. Odds are, we all know ..read more

Stress is a universal epidemic which has created desperation for peace in the hearts, minds, and souls of people everywhere. The problems of today’s world can easily create a sense of secret panic in the heart of every American, regarding jobs, homes, marriage, child rearing, financial security, and the future. And for most Christians, simply watching the news and helplessly witnessing what is happening to our country, and the moral decline that seems to be running rampant in every facet of America, is enough to stress anyone out. As a result of all these varying factors that are often o ..read more

When the bills need to get paid and the checking account is waning … when a sick loved one continues to worsen instead of improve … when a problem with a coworker or supervisor seems it will never get better … when you’re mourning a loss … when a marriage falls apart … when a child is suffering … when the country we live in seems divided … when jobs are lost … when a virus pandemic appears to be ramping back up just when you thought life might get back to normal … Life is stressful. Always has been and always has be. When we can’t see any hope in the distance or any possible resolution or end ..read more

Hi friends! I know how stressful life is – not only in the middle of a pandemic, but just every day life and difficult circumstances. God has taught me to so much over the years about how to live with peace despite my circumstances, and I’ve recorded these lessons, personal stories and biblical principles for managing stress and anxiety in a 2nd Edition/Revised Edition of my book Stress-Less Living releasing August 24th, 2021. I wanted to make you aware of an opportunity to get a free copy of the book plus 2 free gifts! OFFER #1: Buy One/Get One Offer! Be one of the first 100 people to uploa ..read more