Debbie Gordon

I sat choking back tears after hearing the words, “We don’t need you anymore. Find a new ministry.” I tried to be strong and compose myself, although every piece of me felt so hurt. I finally said, “I’ve never felt loved or accepted here. I'll find a new door.”

 

This incident was the catalyst for my journey toward healing. I felt so alone and so unloved. My voice had never mattered to anyone. A week later, I opened the doors to a Celebrate Recovery ministry. I finally felt loved, supported, and accepted for the person I was at that moment: broken, grieving, hurting, hopeless, alone, and abandoned. I was surrounded by a group of women who loved and accepted me. They became my support system. I no longer was alone. I flourished and grew. The pastor of this ministry saw my talents and paid for me to receive training so I could become a leader. Finally, someone saw my gifts and wanted to use them. I began to heal and grow and embrace the person I truly am. I stepped away from people pleasing and always caring for others and learned to take care of myself. As I did, miracles began to happen in my life, and I began to heal.

 

As I did my healing work, dreams I had for years began to materialize. My memoir, which I had been working on for 28 years, was finally published. I began public speaking, became a certified grief coach, and a certified grief educator. The doors to my dreams finally opened.

 

Are trauma and grief holding you back from the life you were meant to live?