Never did I think I would run away from home at the age of 41. Yet there I was in November of 2019 in my minivan alone, leaving behind my family and my home, trying to outrun my shame of hurting my husband and kids once again with my explosive anger.

My wake up call came during this weekend-long escape. And I am so thankful to God who pursues us and loves to redeem and reclaim our stories for His glory.

From that weekend on, God began to write a new chapter in my story. Then in March 2020, right when the world was starting to shut down, God used a time of me being down from eye surgery to do the soul surgery needed to heal the hurt and self-righteous behavior that was causing my anger. In rest, I deepened my dependency on God. In stillness, I deepened my intimacy with Christ. In the process of physical healing, deeper healing was happening emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and relationally with my husband and children.

Thanks to God’s forgiveness and amazing grace, caring counselors, helpful medication, a forgiving and loving family, and surrendering to God’s perfect path, I am now freer than I have ever been. Now I can be who God created me to be: Unveiled and FREE.

I think we often try to edit our stories while God is still writing them. The Bible tells us that God is faithful to complete the work He began in us. That is a promise we can hold on to as we struggle with wondering if the next chapter in our story will be better than the last. It can be and will be as we allow God to do what He does best: making all things new. ~Valerie

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