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INTRODUCTION

The sun was shining down on my face as I gazed out to the ocean that never seemed to end. I felt the white sand from the Pensacola beach between my toes. My heart was full as I looked over at my sister. Spending a week of quality time with family was just what the doctor ordered for me that June 2016.

Near the end of my vacation, we walked into my sister’s church for Sunday services. During the worship time, while we were singing, I sensed God speak to me. It wasn't an audible voice. However, He said three powerful words very clearly to me in my spirit.

"Finish the book."

Immediately, I knew which book.

You see, about a year prior, I wrote the first draft of my book, "Broken Crayons Still Color." However, I was stuck and never finished it.

Honestly, I didn't want to finish it because it was a difficult book to write. In it, I share the stories of my life including the brokenness and trauma I have experienced. In one chapter, I share about the sexual abuse I experienced and in another chapter the addiction to internet pornography I struggled with for two years as a married Christian woman.

This isn’t a book about my victories. It’s a book about my biggest failures.

Many times what we see as our biggest regrets, failures, and mistakes become what God uses the most in our lives.

God transforms our brokenness into something more beautiful than we can even imagine. He takes our mess and creates a masterpiece.

No matter what you have done or what has been done to you, there is hope. Healing and freedom through Christ are available to you.

You see, broken crayons still color.

However, shame often tries to stop us from telling our testimonies.

I heard shame whisper to me, "Shh. You need to be quiet. Don't tell these stories. People will look at you differently. They will see you as perverted and disgusting. If you publish this book, it will only lead to heartache and embarrassment."

After that vacation, I returned home and knew what I needed to do. No matter how difficult it was, I knew I needed to obey. I began writing the book again. Not in my strength, but in His.

“That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

Five months later, I finally finished the book, “Broken Crayons Still Color.” I published my greatest failures for all the world to read.

People tell me that by simply reading the title of the book, God has brought healing to them. I have received more emails than I can count from readers who have been impacted by this book.

I am humbled and amazed.

Even with all the brokenness and trauma in my past, God is using my story in incredible ways for His glory.

And He wants to do the same with your writing. God wants to use your words to impact lives for eternity.

Kingdom writer, it's time to write words that will outlive you.

Will you give God your yes?