Most questions—Why do you write? What made you start? How did you become an author?—lead back to the painful event that affected me, my family, and many friends. Yet without that pain, I never would have started blogging, which led to my first book and, hot on its heels, a second. I won’t rehash the details here. For those answers, you can go and read my blog posts on my website: “Ummm…Is That an Elephant in the Room?” followed by “People Don’t Like Letting the Elephant Out, Questions Answered”.
- Stop you. Pain happens, but God always brings good from it. I’ve learned to look purposefully for that good.
- Keep you from putting one foot in front of the other. Healing is a process—at least it was for me. God works patiently.
- Make you forget those who stayed with you. They are gold; they walked through the fire with you.
- Steal your joy. This one is tough. Yet in the middle of our crisis, my family took a vacation. We left town and discovered there are still many kind people out there. That glimpse was vital during that season.
From my journey through pain, I likely would never have become an author, attended award ceremonies for my books, or truly known my real friends. I have fully embraced grace in the New Covenant. I can breathe. I’m no longer crushed by rules. I know God loves me, even in my mess. I am fully protected under His wings, even when people are cruel. I am His beloved grace.
You are His beloved, too.
Until next time—Much Grace,
Darlene




