Ash & Evergreens

     We have all gone through traumatic experiences in our lives. I'm sure there are one to two that flitted across your mind as you finished that first sentence. Some of them we have completely healed from and are living in the freedom that comes with getting to the other side. Other situations feel like a marathon that's nearing its end. Though the finish line of freedom is in sight and we have hit our stride, there are still instances where our legs feel like giving out. These are the instances where something hits us that we haven't yet dealt with and reminds us that we haven't fully made it yet. There is frustration and hurt in these moments but there's also beauty in knowing that one more thing to heal from is one step closer to living in the fullness of wholeness.      My full healing marathon hit me the other day when I said something to a friend that was received very differently than how I intended. I always try to be careful with my thoughts and...

    For the majority of my life, I have been the friend that was always there. I've given so much of myself to other friendships, almost too much of myself sometimes. I would have a good friend (who I thought might be my best friend) for about 6 months and then the friendship would slowly burn out like the flame of a candle. I would be left hurting and broken hearted, wondering what happened or what I had done wrong for that friendship to be over or just not as strong anymore. After some time though, the Lord would heal my heart and I would get right back into the cycle. I would love as hard as I could and be there and then boom. It would happen again. I think I can count like 7 or 8 people that this cycle happened with. It hurt. I just wanted someone who understood me and was always going to be there. It didn't make sense. But it also didn't make sense as to why the Lord continued to re-strengthen my heart to do it all over again.     One day I finally snapped. I r...