| Go in Courage.

Shame is removed because Jesus already knows you and your heart. I am sure that the woman who was bleeding desperate to touch the hem of His cloak, and the woman at the well in the heat of the day, not to mention Mary Magdalene- prostitute and demon-possessed, cursed, and did things in the dark. David, who had a past of murder and infidelity was named “the man after God’s heart.” The Holy Spirit knows your heart intimately.

This helps me to be regulated- I know myself. I share my darkest thoughts with people whom I trust and have spent years in my quiet place worshiping Jesus and journaling my every thought. My journals are filled with my darkest thoughts, my tears, my cries, and moments of celebration. My journals are in a sense, a shedding of my seasons.

I also spent many years in singleness learning myself. I stepped into therapy at eighteen and developed a new love. Therapy offered my young girl's heart a space to tell my story and be spoken into. I discovered my little girl's heart and formed a nurturing bond with my inner child. I learned what my interests and enjoyments were, and how to pursue them without apology and with care.  Most importantly, I learned how to let myself be known and seen- by others and by myself.

Over forty journals later at thirty years old, I felt an invitation from God to begin publishing my writings and reflections for the hearts and minds of women to encounter. Every writing published comes from a sacred place of my story and is intended to offer readers a glimpse of hope and belonging. I believe wholeness, beauty, and freedom are discovered when we comprehend where we come from, confront agreements interrupting our ability to fully live, discover the blueprint of how we were uniquely made, and demonstrate compassion for wounded and unhealed parts of our stories.

My hope is that this can be an offering and an invitation to be more known and to step into courage. I feel honored to write, and I hope you can get a glimpse of my heart through these pages. I feel anticipation and nerves but hopeful about this new space of thought and reflection. If you are choosing to read this, I am grateful, and it is an honor to have you here. To close my first writing, and to express my heart behind this reflection- here are a few songs that I hope speak to your heart as much as they do mine. 

Songs: You Know Me: Bethel, King of My Heart: Steffany Gretzinger, & Hello, My Old Heart: The Oh Hellos

Go in courage.

Maddy V. Hessalu