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When Will This Be Over?
We have officially moved to Florida. A long chapter has finally closed and the season is now changing.
This closing chapter could indeed be titled “From Temptation to Redemption.” God’s work is miraculous.
Why Can’t I Tell Her What I Think?
I recently had someone unfriend me on social media and send a message accusing me of something so off-base and outrageous it kept me up all night baffled and heartbroken. This person is in ministry on staff at a church and is a seasoned believer. The accusations were completely false yet still pierced my heart and soul deeply, hurting me to my core.
Why Do You Keep Talking About What You Have Done?
I was in a conversation recently when a woman said to me, “I hope when you move, you can move on and not talk about your story anymore. Maybe you can finally forgive yourself.” I was taken aback by the statement and also saddened at the misunderstanding of where I am on this journey and why I do what I do. While I am excited about the opportunity of a fresh start in a new place, it isn’t so I can be silent about who I am or become a new person, hiding what I have been through.
Is God Big Enough To Deal With This?
I remember as a little girl, one particular day, we had ventured to the beach. I was sitting at the water’s edge with my cousins when a fierce wave came crashing in and began to pull me towards deep water. As the force of this wave began to pull me out and just as I was beginning to panic, I felt my Mom’s arms swoop around me drawing me to safety. To this very day, almost 40 years later, I can still remember the moment of pure peace and comfort in my Mother’s arms just moments after sheer panic.
How Can I Trust In The Unknown?
In the last few months, my life has quickly changed, taking a turn I did not anticipate. My husband received a promotion and I could not be more proud, the joy I have for my man is beyond measure.
However, with that promotion comes a relocation to a place far away from where we are now. While this can be an exciting change, it has brought on a roller coaster of feelings.
Just What Changes When We Experience Jesus?
One of my most favorite verses in all of scripture is Acts 4:13. To set the scene, it is where Peter and John are standing trial for preaching about Jesus. Peter had just concluded his testimony and it was time for the council to deliberate. Their observation was astonishment, which also means wowed, amazed, bewildered, of great surprise. They knew that they had been with Jesus. These men were befuddled (aka: Dawn’s translation of astonishment) by the boldness, freedom and courage that Peter and John had. Their transformed lives radiated the greatness of Jesus. They couldn’t hide it if they tried.
Why Do I Always Feel Passed Over?
When you think of the phrase “pass over,” it may bring some negative feelings to your mind and heart. Maybe it is just a memory of when you were a child and passed over on the playground, the last pick for the kickball team. Or, maybe you have recently been passed over for a promotion at your job or you might just feel like you have been passed over your entire life from rejection after rejection. I know at times in my life, I have simply sat feeling unseen and unloved. I was reading in Exodus the other day when this contrast struck me. What, in our day mostly bares a negative sentiment, holds a beautiful story in the pages of scripture.
Why Keep Going?
Is life painful right now? Are you struggling through hard things? Maybe it is hard by your own doing, maybe not, no matter what, hold fast dear friend.
The healing and renewing of my heart, soul, and mind was the most challenging thing I have ever endured. Thoughts like, I can’t do this, this is too much, I just want to move on churned through my mind constantly. I was broken, and the healing and restoration process was exhausting and incredibly painful. I don’t know about you but when I am exhausted, deeply hurting, or uncomfortable, I want to flee the situation as quickly as possible and move on.
Just What Is God’s Indescribable Gift?
The sweetest season is upon us, where the greatest gift is celebrated.
The gift of Jesus is magnificent in every way, packed with beauty beyond our understanding.
This gift is
Will She Ever Talk To Me Again?
I was standing in the same place that I do every Sunday morning at church as I welcome people, answer questions, and help wherever necessary. I glanced over my shoulder and there she was; an old friend that I had not spoken to in over eight years. As I watched her get closer and closer, everything about our last interaction came rushing back to my mind. This was someone who had been struck by the shrapnel of my reckless words, and bad decisions. All those years ago, hateful talk had been exchanged and promises were declared that we would never speak again.
If I Do It, What’s It Going To Hurt?
This one is for the girl that is one step away from making the decision to catapult her into the depths of sin that will forever change her life. To the one who is standing on the brink of that choice, that escape that seems so right, so intriguing, and satisfying; it will make you feel better if you do it, and you might even feel on top of the world.
For a moment.
Would You Rather?
As I journeyed through my years of healing, one of the things I had to realize was that I had chosen so many other things for fulfillment over Jesus. My life revealed this in many ways, yet, I didn’t recognize it because I was blinded by comfort and complacency. We often think we are living good and right because we are checking all the good christian boxes, but the reality is how our lives reflect it. Does your life reflect that you choose Jesus above all, that you’d rather Him than any other thing in your life?
How Does Grace Work?
Just after my world fell apart, after my bad choices were exposed, I couldn’t escape it anywhere. I was walking through the grocery store one day and encountered a woman from my church on the same aisle. Before everything was exposed and I became a spectacle in the eyes of many, this woman would have said hello and chatted for a few minutes. This day was different; she saw me and immediately turned around and went to another aisle without even a smile or hello. I was shattered. I was convinced I would be treated this way forever and that my life was over.
How Do I Love Well, No Matter What?
A few weeks ago, a friend and I had a slight miscommunication that went awry. Something she said, I interpreted very differently than what was her intent and in the moment, I snapped back at her and retreated to my own pity party. My mind and my heart knew that she would never say something to try and hurt me but I let emotions take over and I chose to allow them to rule the situation.
What’s With Obedience?
Several years ago I accidentally put a knife through my hand while cutting an avocado. It immediately began bleeding profusely and my husband quickly wanted to call 911. I told him not to because I was convinced it would eventually stop bleeding and I would be ok. Thankfully, he didn’t listen to me and called anyway. I stood over the sink with my hand clenched, not letting anyone examine it.
Why Can’t Things Go Back To The Way They Were?
For a few years after my affair was exposed, I spent many a day just begging the Lord to make everything go back to normal. I was yearning so badly for normal. I longed for people to trust me again, for friends to want to be around me again and I ached for people to look at me like they used to, treat me like they used to. There was desperation for everyone to know that I was changed, that I was transformed, that I was different. It was there that I found myself falling into another trap of the enemy consumed with what people thought about me more than I was consumed with what Jesus was doing in me. I was trying my best to do everything right, clinging to friendships as if I was terrified to lose them because I’d already lost so many. I was working hard going into overdrive trying to prove myself to be good and it was exhausting.
Do I Really Have To Talk To Her?
As a Women’s Ministry Director, it seems the thing I am hearing more and more is that women feel disconnected, alone, and unseen. After the last two years, I am not surprised. Women are drowning in despair. Each time this is shared with me, the ache in my heart intensifies. I have been in that space, so my understanding and compassion for those that share this is vast. In hearing this repeatedly, I have been asking the Lord to open my eyes to those that feel unseen, those that are desperate for connection, those that are afraid to share their struggles, for fear of judgment or rejection.
What Will They Think of Me?
For so long, I wanted everyone to think I had it together. I wanted people to think I was perfect, therefore, I presented myself each day as if life was flawless. It was this longing to be loved, to be liked and accepted and it was exhausting. Inside, I was so desperate, I was miserable and continued to seek satisfaction in so many other ways because I was too scared to bare my soul and admit I was struggling.
From Temptation to Redemption
Hi! I’m Dawn and boy has it been a wild ride for me. Ready to hop on the ride with me? I promise, it is safe now.
All my life, I simply wanted that fairytale dream. You know, the one where you find the perfect mate, you live in the flawlessly decorated farmhouse, and you have two beautiful babes that make your Instagram feed the envy of all. The one where love is always perfect, you are completely fulfilled, and raising your kiddos is all things playdough, playdates, and chocolate-sprinkled doughnuts. It took near destruction of my entire life for me to realize that was not real life and in fact is just in Hollywood blockbusters.
What’s wrong with a little gossip?