A Zigzag in My Path: Give Up or Keep Moving Forward?

A Zigzag in My Path: Give Up or Keep Moving Forward?

taking medicineSometimes a zigzag in your path gives you the opportunity to take a big spoonful of your own advice.

The advice (medicine) I recommend on a frequent basis is: “When life zigs and zags, keep moving forward.” Those words are

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19 Responses to A Zigzag in My Path: Give Up or Keep Moving Forward?

  • So glad you defeated the evil one! Glad you are better. Prayers and much love.

  • Amen. God is Great! Thankful for your faithfulness to each other!

  • You were hit with a “whammy” on Thanksgiving Day and for days that followed. I’m thankful Dr. Redcross found the issue and did the surgery! I knew, you, if anyone would get through this trial with flying colors! Our faith assures us of victory over all the trials that come our way. That is why studying the Bible daily and letting those words become who we are is so important. We are winners over the powerful darts and deceit the Devil uses.

    • Thank you for always believing in me, encouraging me, and praying for me. It means SO MUCH. His Word does become who we are! The enemy can shoot those flaming arrows at us, but I have seen and I KNOW how powerful God’s words are in defeating him.

  • Melony, what a testimony! Thanks for the reminder to stay in His word daily. I am so glad you are better.

  • Before 2019 my answer to every zigzag in life was to not fight at all. It’s a very long story (and my book will talk about all the why’s) but to make it short and sweet, i no longer had the energy, drive or desire to keep fighting. By the end of 2019 I was unchained from a burden I carried my entire life and for the first time truly felt free to fight in life. To fight for what I wanted, needed, desired and God opened doors, so many doors in 2020. So now I move forward when the zigzags in life happen. I am grateful you too kept moving forward.

    • I know you “get it,” girl! Looking forward to reading your journey of encountering zigzags and how you fought to overcome!

  • Who would have ever guessed we would be in the ER on Thanksgiving morning baby? Epically with a DR name DR Redcross!!! God had you all the way thru this Zig Zag! Love you!!

  • What a beautifully written story of your zig-zag! Your faith is so profoundly presented. Mel, we are all very thankful that victory was yours.

    • Thank you, Kathy! I truly believe my faith was tested. And with God fighting with me and for me, the enemy was defeated!!!

  • My journey has been one of giving up as well as overcoming. I’m SO thankful for you, Melony Brown! I hate that you had to go through this battle but I love that you WON!

    • Oh sweet friend, you are a fighter. I know you have wanted to give up and may have for “a while,” but the fighter deep inside of you can’t stay down. You’ve had to fight to overcome many times, and I admire that about you in A BIG WAY! I love you, dear friend!!!

  • Love that you shared this Mel. I’m so glad God carried you through that Valley. You are a powerful voice of encouragement!

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4 Ways to Love the Next Generation through Mentoring

4 Ways to Love the Next Generation through Mentoring

Mentoring is a powerful connection between two women of faith. When I was a young woman – new in the faith – several older Christian women came alongside me, giving me a safe space to grapple with challenging situations, sharing

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10 Responses to 4 Ways to Love the Next Generation through Mentoring

  • I have been mentored and I have been a mentor. Either way it is an incredible blessing!

    • I remember the women who mentored you after your injury and how much it helped you while recovering. I know you are a POWERFUL mentor to those younger women!

  • Loved reading this! I can remember two women who have been such a blessing to me as mentors! Where would I be without them!!?? This was inspiring and it gets my own wheels spinning. Who could I mentor? And I can see how being a mentor can hold yourself accountable as well!! God is powerful

    • I love hearing you’ve been mentored and see the immense value in it! You would be a FABULOUS mentor!

  • I was mentored when I first came back into a relationship with God in 1996. It was a huge blessing in my life UNTIL it became a curse for me. That was when my mentor let me know we were NOT friends she was my mentor. I was crushed. She was my first Christian friend and needless to say that event/realization has made it very hard for me to open up to friendships with other Christian women as i find myself waiting for the day they too will let me know we are not friends just like my mentor did. This event is part of my memoir I am writing.

    • Oh no, Teresa. I’m so so sorry. Friendship is an important part of mentoring. I definitely consider the young women I mentor my friends.

      I pray you can find healing for your broken heart. And God will place faith filled, loving women in your life who will be true friends to you.

  • Words cannot describe all that my mentor (spiritual mother) meant to me. Especially having lost my mom to cancer when I was only 21 years old. When Pat passed away a few years ago, I grieved deeply. Yet, I have hope that she and my mom became heavenly friends. And, I so look forward to the reunion! My prayer is that I can have a similar impact on the precious young ladies God has placed in my path to mentor.

    • I’m sorry such a special woman to you passed away, but I’m so happy to hear she had such a big impact on you. And you have much wisdom and experiences to share with the next generation.

  • Thank you for talking about this — too often we think we need to have all the answers, when we really need to open our hearts. Great words, Melony!

    • Thanks, Dee! I definitely don’t have all the answers. A desire to really listen and offer encouragement are the most important skills you need to be a mentor! You’d be a great mentor!

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Domestic Violence: I Fought My Way Out

Domestic Violence: I Fought My Way Out

domestic violenceDomestic violence came disguised as Larissa’s* helper. On the way to a family reunion, a tire went flat on her car. With no cell phone to call for help and no money to pay for a tow truck, she waited

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10 Responses to Domestic Violence: I Fought My Way Out

  • Larissa, I too was a victim of violence that left me with physical disabilities. I am encouraged to hear your overcomer’s story. Blessings to you as you continue to live a life of abundance!

    • Maureen thank you and God Bless! We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony! Without the Lord none of it could be possible. Thank you for sharing also. Be Blessed to overflow of Gods favor!

  • Thank you for sharing your story. I pray it helps many women who read it.

  • I too was a victim of DV. Mine was mostly emotional abuse, but abuse is abuse. Telling your story helps others know there is light after darkness.

    • I Appreciate your strength to tell your story, I myself have been thru many battles, but God has brought me thru it all, Someone needs to hear your Testimony!

      • Thank you Pearl Harris! God is Faithful and True! The joy of the Lord is our strength. Please feel free to share this article with others! God Bless you

    • Robbin yes and emotional abuse is the hardest to detect as it leaves invisible scars and harder to bring prosecution against the abuser. But truly God is our vindicator and His justice restores, redeems, and revives! Praise God for you and please share with others who may need to hear!

  • Larissa, this is such a beautiful story of God’s redeeming love. May you continue to heal and shine for Him. I was in a four year relationship with a young man who was physically, emotionally, and verbally abusive when I was a teenager. I praise God for delivering me!

    • Cheryl praise God for you and for His power to deliver us! God will never leave us where we are nor ignore our cries for help. Thank you and God Bless!

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Collected My Tears

Collected My Tears

tearsTears collected in a bottle. An unusual idea, but David used this phrase in Psalm 56:8 to describe how God keeps a record of human pain and suffering. He cares for us when we are hurting. 

Rhonda* clung to

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5 Responses to Collected My Tears

  • WOW! What a beautiful story of how God heals the broken hearted. Much needed in this day and time to not give up on life or family. Thank you for sharing.

  • It was a hard journey to get to the point of being capable of sharing this. I am happy it impacted you!

  • We are currently going through a very rough season with our adult son. We brought him home to live with us over a year ago as he was suicidal and in the throes of addiction. Rhonda, your article encourages me to keep pressing in to HIM, keep praying, keep trusting that He is working even when we can’t see what He is doing.

    • Cheryl, I think we forget that God’s hand IS on the wheel. Let Him carry you and this burden. Take it minute by minute. You have to break it down like that some days. Keep your hands up to the sky in praise and prayer. For when our hands are down, we are drifting away from Him.

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The Benefits of Active Waiting

The Benefits of Active Waiting

waitingWaiting wastes time. Or does it?

 

Do you ever feel irritated as a stoplight turns red-green-yellow then red again, and you’re still not through the intersection? Me, too! Inching along tests my patience. Through all of those times of

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8 Responses to The Benefits of Active Waiting

  • Active waiting is a great way to pray and people watch. Getting frustrated will never have the line moving any faster LOL.

  • What a timely message from my dear friend for years, Holli! I am trying to be actively waiting now ..we have recently moved to Brazil and it feels like all I do is wait! For permanent housing, a new car. Our belongings from the US, for covid to go away, for internet, for food, for anything to settle my heart and distract from missing our family~~especially during the holidays. I confess that I spend an inordinate amount of time on social media or doing brain games…especially compared to time in prayer or scripture reading! Thank you, Holli, for the encouraging words of hope in my journey of “waiting”! Love and miss you!❤🇧🇷

  • Thank you Holli for reminding us of the opportunities and benefits in waiting. Waiting doesn’t have to be a “nothing” but can be a very important “something”.

    • Thank you, Marilyn. Waiting, for me, is often a surrender of my “hurry up and fix it” mode. I find new beauty and blessings in the moments (or years) of waiting.

  • Certainly something to ponder. Waiting can be excruciating or it can be a great experience like when you wait for a baby to be born.

    • I agree, it is often difficult! Nothing I do to hurry the waiting process ever produces a better outcome than God’s timing.

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When the All or Nothing Mindset Isn’t Cutting It

When the All or Nothing Mindset Isn’t Cutting It

As the daughter of a professional athlete (Rich Dauer was inducted into Batlimore Orioles Hall of Fame in 2012.) and a lifelong athlete-turned-coach myself, I am well versed in the idea of ‘all or nothing.’ I lived most of my

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Is Hearing the Same as Listening Well?

Is Hearing the Same as Listening Well?

listenMine ears, though deaf in this world, listen for Your words. Softly, whispering my name. Closing my eyes in prayer I turn my ear to You, straining to hear Your sweet voice.*

*You can find the full poem here: Incline
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One Response to Is Hearing the Same as Listening Well?

  • I too am hard of hearing, conversational hearing. I hear most sounds just fine. But understanding the spoken word is very hard, tiring, and draining at times. I dread phone calls the most. Large group meeting drain me as I spend all of my energy trying to understand every word that is being spoken by the person up front, even if they use a microphone. I work very hard to not just hear a person but to listen, understand them. I try hard to not listen to react or respond. When I do that I realized I truly never really listened to them I just heard them. Since I have been attending a lot of Zooms I realize even with earbuds in i see myself tilting my head at an angle as I do that when I don’t wear ear buds but even with the help to hear better with the ear buds I am still tilting my head toward the computer monitor 🙂 Inclining my ear to listen closely.

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Strong and Courageous: Defeating Pancreatic Cancer

Strong and Courageous: Defeating Pancreatic Cancer

Defeating pancreatic cancer – the cancer with the lowest survival rate – takes a woman who is strong and courageous. And Mary Anne* IS that kind of woman.

* Her real name is used with permission.

Wasn’t Always Strong and

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30 Responses to Strong and Courageous: Defeating Pancreatic Cancer

  • Mary Anne is truly an example of how faith, courage, attitude and gratitude can see you through many obstacles. She never gives up and it brings joy to me to watch her gain her strength and be able to do the little things she could not do months ago. She is, indeed, an overcomer!

    • I love you so much! You are my sister and you never fail to come to my aid when I need you!
      Thank you for loving me and giving the BEST advise whether as friend, nurse or doctor! You are so smart!

  • Love your story of faith and courage Mary Anne. As a cancer warrior myself, I can relate to your inspiring journey. So happy for you! God is so good!

  • I believe that you are one of the most inspiring and courageous people I know. You bring my heart such joy and happiness. I am so thankful to have met you, and that you are my friend. I have learned so much from you, and I too am blessed because of you. My love always…

    • Wendy, I have always been so proud of you! As my friend, customer, and the incredible mother you have become. I love you and wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

  • Mary Anne your strength is so beautiful!!! I thank God for your healing and your life!!! You are absolutely amazing!!!!

  • Rejoicing with you! Thank you for sharing your journey of healing. Bless You!

  • Dear Mary Anne,
    This is a beautiful testimony and we have seen you live out your faith in God and be strong and courageous! You have touched our lives and the lives of many others in this journey. We give praise to God for your witness and strength!
    Love, Travis and Donna

    • Dearest Donna and Travis, I love you both so much! Your friendship and support have meant so much to me! Thank you for everything! May God Bless You both and Merry Christmas!

  • Mary Anne you are truly a blessing to everyone you meet. You have inspired so many people by sharing your story, your journey, and most importantly your faith. You have touched so many lives with your courage and positive attitude. God be with you as you continue to heal. God is not done with you my friend. God bless you always. Love Barbara

  • What an upbeat person you were and still are. I’m glad that you chose to put God back in your life. Of course he was part of your healing physically and emotionally. May God continue to give you a clean bill of health and keep you strong in your faith and your health.

  • What an incredible story of brokenness, faith, redemption, and healing!!!!!!

    • Thank you, Jeff, for taking the time to read my story and for your blessing! God Bless You and Merry Christmas

  • You are an amazing woman and I am blessed to know you and love you. What an inspiration and so happy to call you family. I will be passing your story on to some of my family. Thank you for being Patti and Mikes friend and now mine. We can all learn something from your strength and faith journey. Love you so much!
    BTW what are you doing for Christmas?

    • Nancy, I am so blessed to be able to call you my family! You and Scott have welcomed me with open arms along with your incredible children, Lacy and Michael! I love you all so much and am so proud of your family and faith in the Lord. I do have plans for Christmas Day and I thank you for thinking of me! God Bless You and your family and Merry Christmas!

  • So happy you are well again. God is good! Thank you for sharing your amazing story with us. I pray you will continue to have good health and will continue to live the life you want.

  • Mo, What a wonderful story to the road of healing ,And what you taught me. The Power of Prayer. And when feeling down, just turn to the person next to you and say: Neighbor, Everything is going to be Alright. ( Key West ) 2018. Love you to the moon and back and more.

    • To my sweet Samich!
      I love you so much and thank you for always taking such good care of me when we travel. I feel so safe and I love your bear hugs! I also love our love of sports that we share. Neighbor, everything will be alright!

  • You are a remarkable person! Your positive uplifting spirit amazes and inspires me. You are a true testament of embracing life and “living”. I am so grateful I have been blessed to know you. Love you

  • MaryAnne- thanks for telling your story! Melony, thanks for sharing it! It is truly inspiring! The work of the Holy Spirit in your life amazes me!! You are a source of love and light in my life! Love you!!!❤️

  • Mary Anne is such an inspirational person. We have had the pleasure of getting to know her personally and she truly is a wonderful person that lets the light of Jesus Christ shine through her smile and affection for others. Her story has and will be a gift to many because it teaches us several things: 1. It’s never too late to come back to the Lord; 2. Never give up; and, 3. God is faithful. We love you Mary Anne and consider your love and friendship a tremendous blessing!!! Here’s to a cancer-free 2019! May God continue to richly bless you and yours!!!

  • You are the most amazing person i know and I’m so grateful to have you in my life. You inspire me and I love you very much..

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A Place to Call Home: The Flip Side of Homelessness

A Place to Call Home: The Flip Side of Homelessness

H-O-M-E. Four powerful letters knit together.

Most of us take home for granted. Not Addlia*.

She truly understands what the other 553,742 homeless people in the United States in 2017 faced when they didn’t have a place to call home.

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34 Responses to A Place to Call Home: The Flip Side of Homelessness

  • Addlia, I knew a little about your journey, but I had no idea of the long-term intense struggle you have weathered! What strength and grace! Thankful you never let go of God! I am so very proud of you! I claim God’s favor over you and that your speaking career will grow to the point you never have to think about money. Many blessings on you and your sweet boy! Keep Shining, Love!

  • You are a pillar of strength to your son and most importantly to yourself. Grace and gratefulness can move mountains. I’ve worked with high school youth in the past as a volunteer, and one of the key tenets taught was gratefulness, because it’s impossible to feel bad if you’re grateful for something. You take that conviction to a whole new level, and I am amazed by your strength and tenacity to repeatedly claw your way to a more stable life for you and your son. He is a fortunate young man. God bless and I hope the future holds great things for you.

  • Thank you Diane! I love you! I promise to keep shining!!!

  • Thank you Brooke!! I am truly grateful! I have the choice to give up or keep going and I am no quitter!!!! I appreciate you!

  • Love you hunny!! The Lord is on your side and I look forward to what He has on store for you. ??. You are consistently an encouragement to me and many others.

  • I’m so proud of your strength,growth,tenacity and strength!!!!!God is going to make it good for you This I know!….Total Recovery!!!!❤️

  • I am so grateful to have meet you the season of when I did … God used you to minister to me in my brokenness!!! Your story is amazing, healing , and most of all it shows the love of Christ!!! Keep this momentum up sis !!! You ROCK‼️?✅?❤️

    • Awwww you absolutely rock!!! I thank God for using me to touch people like you! So grateful to have you ?

  • From the time we met I knew there was a jewel inside you-it’s your vibrant spirit. Satan has and may continue to throw his darts your way but you keep showing him that your God has an even greater game plan for you and your life. You are such an inspiration to others to keep fighting! You help others to sparkle too. Your story is only beginning.

  • Addlia!! I’m so blessed by your transparency, trust and faith in God. You didn’t give up when you could have. Your resiliency will bless and lift others facing the same or similar situations. I see you writing a book to tell your story that will empower, bless and encourage others to keep going when they want to give up! Love you to life! Love, Nedra

  • Addlia you are one of the strongest women I know. Not just because of the struggles you’ve been through, but because of the faith you’ve kept in the mist of where you’ve been. I agree with you, I believe God is using you to reach those who are homeless, hopeless, sick, and depressed. And though the enemy tries to knock you down, I know that you WILL prosper because God IS on your side! I look forward to everything that God will bring forth through you!! Thank you for sharing your testimony

  • Addlia – You have an awesome story! Keep strong!!!!

  • You have always had a larger than life personality and faith in God! I’ve heard your testimony but didn’t realize just how intense and hard your life has really been. You are so strong and beautiful and a great mom and friend! Always thank God for little blessings and never give up hope for a better day! Love you!!!

  • Addlia, I’m so very proud of you and Jaiden! It takes courage to share a testimony such as yours. Keep pushing, keep fighting and keep persevering. But most importantly, always be aware of your feelings as to understand when a “no” is needed. You and your son are always the top priority! Love you!

  • We see people we “know” only to find out we never really “know” people unless we take the time to care! All I can ever remember is that smiling face and kind spirit! I think the last time I bumped into you it was at Target. I wish I would’ve known all the hardships you were going through?! Through it all you’ve persevered AND that speaks volumes to who you are as a person! I applaud the fact that you never gave up on GOD because so many times we do. We question, we deny and we lean on our own understanding instead of trusting in him and the process! It takes courage to be transparent but we never know who we help heal through our own stories of trial and tribulation! I happy to see things working in your favor! Never forget your Dancing Diva big sis is a call away! I might not have much but I’m willing to share what I can??

    • Thank you Shunte!!! Trust me there were times I wanted to give up and throw in the towel!!! It’s all a part of the process!!! appreciate you!!! I’m so glad to still be connected to you after all these years!!! Love you so much my Dancing Diva Big Sister!!!! ?

  • What a powerful testimony that testifies to the goodness of God and the strength, courage and hope you found in Him through your journey! I’m so grateful that you had your son, Jaiden, that kept you going during those times of deep darkness and mental anguish! I’ve been suicidal and know that dark place of despair and hopelessness! That’s why I’m so glad you had God and your son to keep you going until you were able to see a glimmer of light and hope for your life! I’m so glad you didn’t give up on YOU! I love that you decided to change your perspective! Sounds like you started seeing things from your heavenly position in Christ Jesus…as victorious instead of defeated! So GREAT! I also love what you said…“It’s one thing to be overlooked, devalued, or underestimated by others, but don’t overlook, devalue, or underestimate yourself. Don’t give up on yourself….” That really stuck out to me! I know you sharing your story will inspire others to realize they have value and not to give up on themselves and life! Your story offers people a life-line attached to hope! You are one tough lady and I think you are priceless in the kingdom of God! I know God is and will continue doing GREAT things through you!!! Woohoo ..What a testimony!

    • Wow!!! I appreciate you Diane!!! Thank you for taking the time to read my story and imparting amazing encouragement in me!!!

  • Congratulations Addlia! The Lord will use your story to encourage many! I love how you chose to be grateful. May Jesus continue to bless you and your son!

  • Addlia! I am so happy to have gotten to meet you! I love you sweet girl!!!!

  • God shall use you in a great way. He already is. I’m so very proud of you. Thank you for being transparent. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength! Keep smiling, keep sharing your story., keep moving forward with your hand in Gods hand. He has you wrapped safety in His arms. Love you lady!!!!

    • I appreciate you for your encouragement and love towards me. Thank you for taking a glimpse into my story!

  • You have a huge amount of strength. I know that God worked in your life and I’m so happy he did. You have beat all kinds of odds and have been blessed for it. Keep up your strength and live a happy and full life with your son.

  • I love the fact that you have the resilience to bounce back. Always standing on the promises of our God is what your story reminds me of.

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Better Than Before

Better Than Before

The ancient Japanese art of kintsugi believes taking a broken thing and binding it with gold makes it better than before. Could the same be possible for a marriage broken by adultery?

Stephanie* believes so. Five years after their marriage

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12 Responses to Better Than Before

  • Stephanie, you are such a strong, Godly woman. I’m sure your story is an inspiration to others who are in the same situation you and your husband were in. Stay strong! Keep fighting against the devil! Love God and the good husband he gave you!

    • Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. Your encouragement means so much to me. love, Stephanie

    • Thank you so much for your encouragement….. I’m clinging to Joel 2:25.

  • Stephanie as I read this the word I thought about was grace. May the Father continue to give you the grace that is needed to be what He has made you. I pray that many will read your story because we all make mistakes and are in need of forgiveness at sometime. I pray that your marriage continues to grow stronger!

    • Thank you so much! Yes I’m praying that I can help many and keep families together…I know that this is Jesus’s heart.
      Stephanie

  • Stephanie,
    God has blessed you for your obedience and you are so inspiring! I wish that so many people who are finding themselves in your situation could read your story. God often calls us to the hard places but the blessings are phenomenal.
    Thanks for sharing!! Many blessings in your marriage!

  • Thank you, Melony and Stephanie, for sharing this inspirational story. May God bless you as you bravely fight for your marriage and family.

  • What an inspiring story. Luckily I have never been there but I applaud you for doing the right thing and fighting for your marriage. May God continue to bless the two of you.

  • I’m so proud of you both for following God’s Will. I know it’s a tough road, but God does bless those who persevere and work together to build a better marriage.

  • I admire your strength and love for God to trust Him and move in obedience!!! So glad you kicked the enemy in his face and didn’t let him have your marriage!!!!

    • Addlia, thank you for taking time to read my story. I truly just want to help others who maybe going through a difficult time… I’m trusting Jesus to lead the way!
      Love, Stephanie

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