My Road to Healing

I’ve always been adventurous and willing to try new things. Whether it’s playing the electric guitar, tap dancing or my personal favorite—drag racing my suped-up ’79 Corvette at the track.

It’s sometimes hard to believe that I’m 70 years old! Let’s just say I’m not your average grandmother.

So, when I discovered Joyce on TV, she seemed right up my alley. She was very open and candid, and I instantly related to her. Joyce also talked openly about the abuse she endured from her father growing up...something that really struck a nerve with me.

I was also sexually abused by my dad—a secret I didn’t even tell my mother until after he passed away. On my father’s deathbed, while I still had the chance, I looked at him and said, “Dad, I love you and I forgive you.” But the emotional pain doesn’t magically go away.

I had also buried a lot of pain from my first marriage. With two children and a third on the way, my husband up and left one day, never to return. Even though he’s the one who left, I took the blame. I started questioning myself, thinking, Am I that bad?

But I had no time to grieve. As a single mother, I had mouths to feed, which required me to work several jobs and get creative to make ends meet.

We somehow made do, and as the years went by, I eventually met my second husband, John. This marriage also had its share of turmoil, but God has worked in our lives and we’ve been together ever since.

When I least expected it…

It wasn’t until my kids grew up and left the house that I began searching. My life suddenly felt empty, and I knew there had to be more to life.

I loved the thrill of racing cars, playing guitar and living on the edge, but those things can’t keep you happy. Joyce’s program helped me to realize that God has such a greater purpose for my life.

I admit, when I first began watching, I was very skeptical—it’s my nature. But since Joyce is a woman, I was able to relate and it helped me delve deeper into the Word. In addition, her books were very inspiring.

In time, the Lord used all of these things to help heal my damaged emotions. For the first time, I felt a sense of real freedom…and you can’t put a price on that!

I discovered a source of true joy…

God also gave me a new passion and direction for my future. It began when John and I realized that we could partner with Joyce Meyer Ministries to build water wells and churches in communities around the world.

I will never forget the day when we first saw the photos of the well and church we helped build. We looked at each other and just said, “Wow!” We got so emotional. We realized we were doing something in a massive way that we could have never done without our connection to this ministry.

Partnering with this organization was such a turning point for us. It seemed like the more we focused on helping others, the more joy we experienced.

Something came alive on the inside of us! And we know that everything we give is being used in the best way possible to make a positive impact in someone else’s life.

I believe God gives us a certain amount of time on this earth and there’s no time to waste. So, I’m going to help as many people as I can along the way.

While everyday-life challenges continue, I always want to remain the mother and grandmother that God expects. And while racing my Corvette and playing my electric guitar are still on my list of fun things to do, they bring only temporary joy.

Surrendering to the Lord and putting Him first brings an indescribable and lasting joy.