Through her many trials and life experiences, including the death of her son, Beau, Corry presents the hope that only comes through the revelation that God not only exists but that He cares deeply for the affairs of human beings and wants an intimate relationship with everyone who calls on Him. Her message is simple, clear, honest, and sometimes very raw. She willingly and eagerly shares her tragedies to help others heal, reconcile, and come to a place of coexistence with pain and suffering, but with a deep and abiding peace and joy.
Corry is presently married to speaker and fellow musician, Randy Keeler. Between them, they raised nine children, traveled the world, and continue to serve their community on the worship team at their congregation, Beth Emunah, as well as serving in the band, Lev Shelo. Corry is a co-director of Lev Shelo Ministries, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. She is also a writer, journalist, copy editor, and speaker at venues wherever she is invited.
Dr. Deb Gold from Gold Star Coaching is my guest today. She is a psychologist, trauma specialist coach, and author.
She has helped hundreds of women overcome the trauma of abuse and divorce using the principles of therapy and coaching and depending upon the power and inspiration of God. She also is the Director of a non-profit organization Women of Merit Ministries.
Barb is a certified Sexual Risk Avoidance Specialist and has completed extensive research on pornography and its effects on individuals and society. As Lead Facilitator at E3 Family Solutions, Inc., I equip youth at local schools to avoid risky behaviors and make healthy choices.
When one of my sons was fourteen, he confessed to watching pornography. I was shocked, mad, and ashamed. I questioned my parenting skills. The stigma surrounding his behavior kept me from talking with others, so I suffered in silence. The pain and emotional turmoil left me feeling empty and alone.
Since that time, I’ve learned a thing or two about pornography, screens, online relationships, hookup culture, grooming, human trafficking, and the teenage brain. My experience combatting this monumental problem and my desire for no other parent to feel alone in this battle led me to create this site. It’s a place for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to find support, encouragement, and practical tips for parenting in this digital world. Oh, and HOPE.
Traci Rhoades is my guest today. She is a writer and Bible teacher living with her family outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is the author of two books; the award-winning Not All Who Wander (Spiritually) Are Lost, and Shaky Ground: What to do After the Bottom Drops Out. In her writing, she shares her journey of being spiritually curious and falling in love with her Savior, Jesus Christ, and his bride, the Church, a little more with every faith discovery.
My German shepherd, Mia, had surgery almost a month ago to remove a growth on her back foot. She injured it a couple of years ago by jumping our fence. She had a nasty wound that we cleaned and sprayed with an antibiotic and thought it had healed. However, after a year and a half, it grew into a mass. The vet checked it and told us if it kept growing to let him know.
Wounded
It grew and grew, so off to the vet, then to a surgeon.
On March 10th, we took her in to have it removed. The vet warned us the there would not be enough skin to suture it so she would have a large wound which we would have to keep very clean and bandaged.
Every three days, we took her back to the vet and had the bandages changed.
One night soon after surgery, I took her outside, and a cat ran past us–Mia took off after it. Despite her pain and bandage, her instincts took over, and she ran all over our four-and-a-half acres of property and into the creek which runs through it. I was mad at her, but madder at myself. I had not put the leash on her because she could hardly walk, and never in my wildest dreams thought she would run.
We had an appointment already made for two days later.
After the appointment, the vet told us Mia’s wound was infected.
It was ugly–bright red and inflamed. The vet removed more tissue to culture it for bacteria. Mia was in pain, too. I felt so bad for her.
The vet told us, if we did not act soon it would only get worse and move into the bone. From there it could mean amputation of the lower leg. Since Mia is a very active outside dog, who watches over our ducks and chickens, this would be devastating for her and us. (And because we love this dog…).
The vet removed her bandages for good so her wound could heal better. We also started laser treatments. She had three sessions, which were very short–about a minute long–but it helped a lot! After the first treatment, we saw a difference the next day. From their webpage, this is how it works:
K-Laser therapy targets damaged tissue with specific wavelengths of light. The light energy passes through the skin at the cellular level, initiating the body’s natural regenerative process. Laser therapy accelerates wound healing…
The only thing we could do was keep it clean, give her medication, and wait for her body’s immune system to take over and heal her foot. It was a waiting game.
She also had to wear an extra-large cone because she kept figuring out how to get out of them. She hates the cone!
Our entire house has centered around this dog of ours. The smaller bath near her dog bed became her personal clinic, storing everything she needs to keep her comfortable and well. It has been a month, but she is doing very well. So much so, I took her out today for about forty-five minutes on a leash.
We’ve all experienced wounds–whether from sports, accidents, or abnormal growths– and had to have a doctor or surgeon intervene in order for us to heal properly. It’s especially hard when it’s your child or pet going through something like this.
In this world, people wound us emotionally and spiritually as well. They hurt, betray, slander, bully, and abuse us. Sometimes those wounds are even more painful, taking even longer to heal than a physical wound.
In this world, people wound us emotionally and spiritually as well. They hurt, betray, slander, bully, and abuse us. Sometimes those wounds are even more painful, taking even longer to heal than a physical wound. #ThisSideofHeaven #Wounded #Mia
Our emotional wounds can last a lifetime. Our hearts become an open wound–ugly and inflamed. If something triggers a memory of our wounding, we react in anger or pain.
We try to medicate the pain with temporary fixes like food, alcohol, drugs, or one relationship after another. The problem is, it doesn’t help. The infection goes deeper…it can even make us physically sick.
Forgiveness is kind of like the laser the vet used to promote healing in Mia’s foot. It penetrates damaged hearts and souls with light–the Light of Jesus.
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Isaiah 58:8 ESV
We are not condoning the injustice someone did to us when we forgive. But, we free ourselves from the prison and the damage it is causing.
We are not condoning the injustice someone did to us when we forgive. But, we free ourselves from the prison and the damage it is causing. #ThisSideofHeaven #Wounded
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV
Forgiveness allows the healing power of Jesus to restore and regenerate you. Let go of the hurt and the reruns that play in your mind and let the power of Jesus heal your heart and soul as you forgive those who have wounded you.
Mia outside on Tuesday. She had a red bandana around her wounded leg while we were out.
