Sweet Like Jasmine takes readers on Gray’s heart-breaking journey of faith after, at age 39, finding her long-forgotten birth certificate that sparked something that could not be ignored. She set out and uncovered family secrets found her childhood home and the father who left her when she was seven years old. As she returned to the places, culture, and stories that shaped her life, Gray realized that it’s only when we learn to embrace the truth of our past that we can finally make sense of our present and celebrate what truly matters.
I was following everyone else’s journey, except my own. I gave up on myself,” writes Gray. “But God didn’t give up on me. He tenderly gathered all the broken fragments I tried to throw away.” He whispered, ‘What no one wants, I cherish. You are worth loving. You are My beloved.’”
Unhurried in Order to Heal our Hearts
In this powerful episode, “Unhurried to Heal our Hearts,” author Bonnie Gray shares her powerful story.
I was introduced to Bonnie way back in the day when she wrote, “Finding Spiritual Whitespace.” Just take a look here and drink in the peace.
So you can imagine my ecstatic response when Bonnie said, “YES,” to be on the podcast. She is a jewel and I am so excited to share her story and presence with you all.
In this episode, you will:
- Hear Bonnie’s story and hopefully her story will inform your story.
- Recognize that you don’t have to “hide” your mental health challenges.
- Understand the powerful influence a mother has on your formation.
- Be inspired to trace God’s hand in your own life story.
- Be invited to unfold like the beautiful jasmine flower.
- Realize your value, worth, and dignity, despite the negative, limiting beliefs that have been spoken over you.
- Start your HEARTLIFTING JOURNEY today.
This week’s resources
Sometimes the story we tell ourselves is not really true. Sometimes the story others tell about us is not really true. On “Today’s Heartlift with Janell,” Author, Trauma-informed, board-certified marriage and family specialist, and Professional Heartlifter, Janell Rardon, opens conversations about how emotional health and mental fitness effects absolutely every area of our lives. When we possess and practice healthy, strong, resilient emotional health practices, life is so much better. Read Janell’s newest book, “Stronger Every Day: 9 Tools for an Emotionally Healthy You.”
”Growing in our relational knowledge of how to connect and love requires a lot of practice. And it requires deliberate practice. We need to focus on specific outcomes that stretch us beyond our current relational knowledge and spiritual maturity level. We need to rely on methods taught in Scripture and developed by spiritual masters further down the road” (Todd W. Hall, The Connected Life).
In the early morning hours, Janell found herself tossing and turning. With a God whisper in her ear, she released her desire to stay nestled under the comforter and instead got up and found her Bible. In this unplanned, unexpected episode, Janell shares the deep love of God in the words penned in Psalm 63. She found herself asking, ”Do I really believe these words?” In true Lectio Divina fashion, Janell reads Psalm 63, inviting you to ask yourself the same question, ”Do I really believe these words?”
Read Psalm 63
Listen to Season 12, Bonus, ”What Are You Longing For?”
Listen to Season 10, Episode 2 with Jan Johnson, ”Everyday in the Secret Place,” for a gentle reminder of the role of contemplative prayer in our daily lives.
Listen to Season 11, Episode 6 with Pastor Terry Smith, ”Spiritual Amnesia: Have I Forgotten the Blessings of God?”
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Today's Heartlift with Janell is currently fully supported by Heartlift International, a 501-3c committed to making home and family the safest, most secure place on earth.
Every resource developed, every podcast recorded, and every book written has one goal: To help families become stronger every day.
Learn more about Heartlift International and help support this podcast: https://www.janellrardon.com/heartliftinternational/
This is literally the best podcast on ITunes . Healing Strength and wholistic mind-body-Spirit ministry. You’ll want to get out the serving spoon and dig deep into the richness of this. Unhurried Holiday series is Phenomenal and what I need to infuse into my everyday life. I love you @ Janell Rardon . You are a gift to my ears and a voice that needs to be heard beyond church walls #heartlifters
Oh dear Amber, after a long week, your words lift my heart and spirits. Sending you BIG HUGS and a BIGGER HEARTLIFT this holiday season.