From Darkness to Light: A Journey of Faith and Healing

Growing up in a small North Florida town as the daughter of farm workers, life seemed simple and familiar—until everything changed at age ten. My mother’s secret relationship led to a sudden move, tearing our family apart overnight. The confusion and pain of leaving my father and the only home I’d ever known left deep wounds. Even after reuniting with my dad, the sense of loss lingered. Our family was fractured, and the darkness of depression and anger settled in. Poverty and brokenness became our daily reality, and I struggled to find meaning or hope, eventually reaching a point where I questioned whether life was worth living.

But in my lowest moment, I remembered what I’d heard about God in church as a child. With nothing left to lose, I cried out to Him, asking if He was real to show Himself. In that quiet desperation, I encountered a peace and hope I hadn’t felt in years. Jesus met me on that restaurant floor, and from that night forward, everything changed. I became hungry for God’s Word, seeking Him in Scripture and prayer, and found a new purpose and joy that transcended my circumstances. My relationship with Jesus became the anchor that held me through every storm.

As I grew in faith, I saw God’s fingerprints all over my life—restoring relationships, providing for needs, and guiding my steps in unexpected ways. He led me to start youth and college ministries, even when I felt unqualified. Through seasons of hardship, like my brother’s illness, I learned to trust God’s goodness regardless of outcomes. God’s faithfulness was evident in the miraculous ways He provided, from a family home to the smallest desires of my heart.

Looking back, I see how God took my broken pieces and created something beautiful. The richness of life is not found in what the world offers, but in experiencing God’s friendship and goodness. Even when life is hard, I remember His history of faithfulness. My desire is that everything in my life would reflect His glory, and I pray that others would encounter the same transforming love and hope that Jesus offers.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God Meets Us in Our Deepest Brokenness When life falls apart and darkness seems overwhelming, God is not distant. He draws near to the brokenhearted and offers peace that surpasses understanding. Our lowest moments can become the very place where we encounter His presence most powerfully, discovering hope and purpose beyond our pain. [07:14]
• 2. Faithfulness is Seen in the Small and the Miraculous God’s faithfulness is not just in the big miracles, but in the daily provisions and quiet answers to prayer. From providing a home for my family to a simple washer and dryer, He delights in caring for both our needs and desires. Remembering His past goodness gives us confidence to trust Him for the future. [20:01]
• 3. Surrendering Our Plans Leads to Greater Purpose Laying down our own dreams and following God’s direction often leads us to places and opportunities we never imagined. True fulfillment comes not from pursuing our own ambitions, but from aligning our lives with God’s calling, even when it means stepping into the unknown. [13:27]
• 4. God’s Goodness Remains Through Hardship Even when prayers seem unanswered or suffering persists, God’s character does not change. He is good and faithful, regardless of our circumstances. Holding onto this truth anchors us in seasons of trial and allows us to praise Him even in the midst of pain. [17:46]
• 5. Our Stories Can Bring Hope to Others Sharing our journey of brokenness and redemption can be a lifeline for those who feel lost or alone. God uses our testimonies to reveal His love and faithfulness, inviting others to experience the beauty and richness of life with Him. [23:30]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:24] - The Breaking Apart of Our Family
• [01:33] - Adjusting to a New Life
• [02:38] - Reuniting with Dad
• [03:47] - The Custody Battle
• [04:56] - The Beginning of Depression, Anger, and Suicidal Thoughts
• [07:14] - Meeting Jesus at My Lowest Point
• [08:40] - Conviction and Transformation
• [09:52] - Baptism and Family Restoration
• [12:12] - All of My Life Plans Changed
• [14:59] - Starting a Youth & College Ministry
• [17:02] - Loving God Through Hardship
• [18:48] - We Bought Our Dad a Home! & God Provided!
• [22:14] - Remembering God’s Goodness
• [25:15] - Who is Jesus to You?
• [26:23] - Prayer
• [27:59] - Last Words

Bible Reading

Luke 15:11-24 (ESV) – The Parable of the Prodigal Son —
> And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

> “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”

Psalm 34:18 (ESV) —
> The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Observation Questions

1. In the story shared, what were some of the specific ways God showed up in the speaker’s life during her lowest moments? ([07:14])
2. According to Luke 15, what does the younger son remember about his father that makes him want to return home? ([24:34])
3. What are some examples from the testimony of God’s faithfulness in both big and small ways? ([20:01])
4. How did the speaker’s relationship with her family change after she encountered Jesus? ([09:52])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might God allow us to experience brokenness or hardship before we encounter His presence and peace? ([07:14])
2. In the parable of the prodigal son, what does the father’s response teach us about God’s character and how He receives us when we return to Him? ([24:34])
3. The speaker describes surrendering her own plans and following God’s direction. What does it mean to lay down our own dreams for God’s calling? ([13:27])
4. How can remembering God’s past faithfulness help us trust Him during current or future hardships? ([25:15])

Application Questions

1. The speaker shared about crying out to God in her darkest moment and experiencing His peace. Have you ever had a moment where you felt desperate for God to show up? What did you do, and how did God respond? ([07:14])
2. Think about a time when God provided for you in a small or unexpected way, like the story of the washer and dryer. How did that experience impact your faith? ([20:01])
3. The testimony highlights the importance of surrendering personal plans to follow God’s direction. Is there an area of your life where you sense God asking you to trust Him with your plans? What would it look like to take a step of faith? ([13:27])
4. The speaker’s family was restored in some ways, but not perfectly. How do you handle situations where God’s answers to prayer look different than you hoped? ([17:46])
5. The speaker now tries to be intentional about asking people how they’re really doing, because no one did that for her. Who in your life might need someone to check in on them this week? How can you be that person? ([12:51])
6. The speaker said, “God took my broken pieces and created something beautiful.” Is there a part of your story that still feels broken? What would it look like to invite God into that area? ([23:30])
7. The testimony ends with a desire that her life would reflect God’s glory and help others encounter Jesus. What is one way you can share your story or God’s faithfulness with someone this month? ([25:49])