Episode 28 :: Heather Lobe Johnson :: Beauty From The Ashes

Simply Stories Podcast

English - April 02, 2020 02:14 - 59 minutes - 82.9 MB - ★★★★★ - 26 ratings
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Previous Episode: Episode 27 :: Chelsea Bastoky :: Enneagram Guide

Next Episode: Episode 29 :: Katelyn Liles :: Suffering + Perseverance + Hope :: Part One

Today my conversation is with Heather Lobe Johnson. Heather is a writer who is passionate about sharing stories of freedom found in the redemption of Christ and celebrating the beauty that rises from the ashes of broken experiences. During our conversation, Heather and I talk about growing up with a perception of the Lord that His love was contingent on her instead of on Him. She bravely shares with us about the parts of her story that God has carried her through, everything from experiencing sexual abuse in college, a toxic marriage that ended in divorce, years of single parenting and pursuing healing by redefining her identity through who God says she is. As Heather says, “It’s not about having it all together, it’s about bringing your broken to Him and letting Him redeem it and bring wholeness to emptiness.”

I’m so grateful for how she shares her story, the practical wisdom she shares for those who may be able to relate as well as the hope she offers us through this season of incredible uncertainty, what is helping her as she faces the anxiety of our days head on, and how to process what you can and can’t control. Almost like a benediction to our conversation. Heather prayed incredibly sweet blessing over all of us during this crazy time that just washed over my soul and I hope it does for you too.

No matter where you are today, I hope this time with Heather and I blesses you. No matter who you are, or what you have been through, there is still more. The hope that is found in Christ is worth it. Believing that He has good for your life is not about getting what you want, it's about having faith that the One who made you has good, truly, divinely good, purposes and plans for your life. Plans of peace and your truest well being, and that can see who you truly are and who you were made to be.

I want you to know that whoever you are on the other side of the speaker, no matter where you are when you hear this episode, in the throws of this pandemic spanning the globe, or long after it is over, this is not how the story ends. You are truly loved. You matter. Don’t lose hope. We’re all in this together.

Resources:

Hope Writers

Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry: Why we lose when we give in- Lisa Bevere

Britney Thompson’s episode on Simply Stories (where we discuss toxic relationships)

Celebrate Recovery- find a meeting near you!

The Serenity Prayer (also see my blog for a printable graphic of this!)

Looking for Lovely: Collecting the Moments that Matter by Annie F. Downs

Scripture References: