After Trauma, There Is Life

I heard a broadcast recently where young businessmen were talking about the pandemic. It’s the first time they’ve had to deal with disaster recovery and business continuity. I could hear the fear and uncertainty in their voices. I wished they were in front of me so I could give them hope that one day we …

A “Tail” of Two Rodents: Gauging My Progress with Trauma Healing

At Christmas, I was out of town spending time with family. When I returned home, I discovered a rodent had taken up residence in my apartment. Granted, I live over the garage of a log cabin on a wooded farm. Rodents happen. I get that. But now I had a rodent claiming squatter’s rights. It …

Don’t Avoid the Pain

I used to try almost anything to avoid pain (food addiction, denial, avoiding people, deciding not to care, etc.). I even caused my own pain to avoid the pain of being hurt by someone else. That may sound crazy, but if you have been in an abusive relationship, you might understand that. Little did I …

God Is Everything

The past two years have been painful. An ongoing sea of grief, trauma, and loss. In recent weeks, I began to feel raw, worn to the bone. In a word: done. Grieving takes time. So does recovery, and restoration. But one thing I realized: I was not done with God. And I know He was …

Praying for an Unborn Child

I learned today about unborn twins - one of them died in the womb, the other survived and was born. My heart broke. Not in a way I've felt before. I've wept for unborn or newborn babies that died, and I've wept for their moms and families. This was different. I wept for the twin …

Godly Remembrance

Recently was the anniversary date of a difficult situation. It’s been years since I had to deal literally with that circumstance, but the anniversary still affects me. It’s not conscious. I may not even remember the date or think about it. But when I start to feel the spiritual and emotional impact, I remember, and …

Saved from Drowning

I’d like to shift gears and share a little about summer again. This summer I had a wonderful time tubing and kayaking in the river with my friends. We went on several river outings and each one seemed more wonderful than the last. We always prayed before we left, and it’s a good thing! On …

Dog Fear … Gone!

When I got home tonight, I discovered I’m no longer afraid of the dogs. I rent a beautiful apartment on the property of a wonderful family. They have three dogs. One is very docile and always greets me with a friendly tail wag when I arrive. He never seems to bark. The other two always …

9/11 Healing (Lenten Day Apart)

On March 17, 2012 I gave a talk at Homer United Methodist Church in Homer, Georgia for the "Lenten Day Apart" celebrated by United Methodist Women in the Gainesville District. I was asked to share specifically about my 9/11 healing, and to work with the Scripture theme of the event: Isaiah 43:18-19. Following is my draft from which …

Seeking Healing from 9/11 Trauma – Inner Healing Ministry Session Notes

Following is my recollection of the inner healing ministry session where I sought the Lord for healing from the trauma of 9/11 – ten years after the event (August 24, 2011). *** We opened in prayer. Then I began to share with my prayer minister how I felt, coming up on the 10th anniversary of …