Lately, I have been asking God to fully transform me, because my deepest desire is to be completely healed and truly free — free indeed.  Romans 12:2 reminds us:  “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”   But if I am completely honest, the more I ask God for healing, the more my mind replays the things I wish I could redo.  In the middle of the night, old decisions come racing back — like unwanted reruns of a life I already lived

So much of healing work requires us to look back on our lives and embrace our younger selves. For me, it is embracing my little girl — reaching back into moments in time when she was wounded so I can hold her, comfort her, and let her know that she is now safe. There are so many moments in my little girl’s life where wounds appeared — so many times when weeds rose up to choke her garden of innocence. In order to effectively heal, you have to remember where the injury was prod

I was honored to be invited to speak at a women’s conference, and as I reflected on what to share, God kept bringing me back to the title, "Loving the Skin That I’m In." In my quiet moments of prayer, I felt led to focus on the word “skin.” It became clear that many of us struggle to love the skin we’re in because we may need to shed the old skin that no longer serves us. As we step into new seasons of our lives, it’s essential to recognize the power of our skin. A Deep Dive

Today, God has led me to walk through the steps of my healing journey. Identify the specific areas where healing has not been fully achieved. Identify the feelings. Identify the thoughts behind the feelings. Sit here Process What is it saying to you? Got it, Father. Where should I start? Because as You and I both know, there are so many little nooks and crannies in there. So, I sit. I wait. I listen. “What about your divorces? Your failed marriages?” Oh—so we’re going straigh

Good morning, GOD, How are You? I wonder how You are feeling about Your world and Your children. I realized this morning that I often come to You asking for things—blessings, help, answers, protection—but I rarely pause to ask how You  are doing. I assume that because You are GOD, You need nothing from me. But isn’t that a little selfish? If I was created in Your image, and I feel the pressures of life… if my heart aches, if the weight of the world pulls on me, if some days m

An orphan: a child or young animal whose parents are dead. My mother—my mommie—was my hero. She was my mentor, my example, my confidant, my protector, and my friend. She was my everything. I revered her. She dedicated her entire life to making my life better. To me, she was the very image of a virtuous woman. I spent so much of my life afraid that she would leave, terrified that I would be alone because no one could ever understand me the way my mother did. My mother made me

For several months now, I have been led to share my conversations with God through this blog. Some have told me these reflections are inspirational and uplifting. I count that a humble blessing—that God would use me in such an intimate way. But this morning, something felt different. You see, what I usually share is the end result —the polished version that comes after much wrestling, prayer, sometimes agony, and often the remnants of fear-filled, confused, imperfect thoughts

Have you ever prayed for something really  hard? I mean, you got down on your knees for days… months… even years. You fasted. You cried. You sweat tears over it. Then—hallelujah—God answered your prayer. The Father gave you exactly what you had prayed so earnestly for. You were grateful. You shouted. You danced in the Holy Ghost. You called everyone you knew to testify about the goodness of God and His miracles. But then… time passed. The newness wore off, and suddenly, you f

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” 1 Corinthians 7:17 “Only let each person live the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.” This Christmas, I had the opportunity to spend time with my family and friends. Although we have shared many holidays together, this year was especially impactful for me. It was impactful because—for me and for many in my f

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Many years ago, I rode a horse for the first time. It was a little tricky climbing up on his back. I was scared at first. However, once the trainer helped haul all of this butt up there, I began to feel comfortable. As a matter of fact, I felt free and confi

I love children, but they are some of the most impatient people I know. Have you ever planned a trip with children? They get so excited about where they’re going. They jump in the car, beaming with energy and anticipation, gazing out the window and taking in all the interesting sights. Then, about ten minutes into the ride, they start asking, “Are we there yet?” You respond, “Not yet, but soon. Just relax and enjoy the journey.” They settle in for a few more minutes, and then

I have always been a person who acts on impulse. A thought comes to my mind, and I focus on it instantly. I guess you could say I’ve always had a restless spirit. That spirit has shown itself in many of the decisions I’ve made. I was reflecting on all the things I have done in my restlessness. I always thought it was the conqueror in me—something that brought excitement and adventure. I would be sitting in my kitchen, looking out the window while drinking coffee, and suddenly

Spirit  – the nonphysical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul. “ We seek a harmony between body and spirit. ” Those qualities regarded as forming the definitive or typical elements in the character of a person, nation, or group, or in the thoughts and attitudes of a particular period: “ The university is a symbol of the nation's egalitarian spirit. ” Have you ever been in a place where, no matter how hard you pray, there is one thing after a

1 Peter 2:21  – For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. 2 Samuel 22:37  – Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip. Job 18:7  – The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down. Job 31:4  – Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? Proverbs 16:9  – A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Steps.

I have a dark place inside my heart. It’s not a place of evil or a place that seeks to harm anyone. It’s a place of loneliness and isolation. A place of anxiety. A place of being hidden in plain sight. For the past few days, my dark place has been chasing me. It seeks to engulf me and keep me all to itself. God knows about my dark place. He knows how it pricks at my heart. He is right there on the other side of the door. I know that now. I depend on that now more than I ever

When I was a little girl, my favorite word was “why?”  No matter what I was told, the first thing out of my mouth—or popping up in my head—was, “but why?” My mom might say, “Okay Valerie, it’s time to get up for school. "And I would ask, “Why, Mommy? ” Because you have to go to school,” she would urge. "Why do I have to go to school? ” So you can learn and become smart and brilliant.” I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful or a pest—I was simply an inquisitive child. The worl

I woke up early this morning, as I always do. The first words from my mouth were, “Thank you, God.”  My love placed a hot cup of coffee in my hands. I rose to my feet and went into my prayer closet, seeking God and waiting to hear His voice. Then, almost like rapid fire, God began to pour these scriptures into my heart: John 3:16  – For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Matthew 22:37–

The word friend  appears in the King James Bible 49 times . Variations of the word— friendship , friends —appear 139 times  across different translations. That tells me that friends  are important to God. John 15:15 says: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” This scripture makes a clear distinction between a servant and

Genesis 2:21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. I have often wondered why God put the man to sleep while He created woman. I wonder even more what they might have talked about during that sacred time. The Bible doesn’t tell us how long the man was asleep or what that time was like. But I have my own theory. Woman— womb of man —must have received a significa

Who Do You Say That I Am? Matthew 16:13–20 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to