When “just pray” and “just breathe” do not work, this is my prerequisite.

Chronic abuse hangs on tight. It forms attitudes we take with us into adulthood. But we can change.

Being near God helps us to see color, beauty, meaning! And this vision is potent.

We can be cool! We can be here for one another! Let’s be the survivors we are.

I don’t have to continue feeling afraid, suspicious, and angry. I don’t have to question myself or hate myself. I don’t have to. God makes all things new (Rev 21:5).

Proximity to God enlightens, emboldens, confounds, guides — and, yes, frustrates beyond belief!

What frames of mind formed from the abuse remain rooted in you?

We need to be big people, God, not ones swaying in the wind.

Abuse bleeds into our perceptions of all things, but God’s grace offers the way out.

In what ways does a fear of not mattering impact your life?

We’ve got our rocks in our hands, and, oh, we want to throw them!