A year ago several people told me that this ministry would not look like I thought it would. Up until now I wasn't sure what they meant. I launched The Medicine Place hoping to encourage and validate women who have been sexually abused. But it's gravitating toward something more than that. It's quickly becoming a ministry for women seeking encouragement through  a variety of circumstances.

That certainly includes sexual abuse, but if you've spent any time reading my previous blogs then you know that I am a woman who has suffered much, but that I live my life cradled in the redemptive arms of a Love so powerful that human limitation prevents me from fully grasping it.

In layman's terms: The good Lord has delivered me and my family from layers of crazy! :)

As long as there is breath in my body, I will continue to experience a deeper measure of His redeeming love. And I will continue to humbly share those miracles of redemption so you will know that you are not alone.

God is all up in my business again, only this time it's not in the earth-shattering stuff like abuse or addiction. It's in the little things. For example, some of the long-term relationships I have that leave me feeling drained, but I haven't said anything because I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings or (and this is selfish), suffer the ill opinion of another.

Jesus is always on the move. Once again He has invited me to walk with Him on the narrow, less traveled roads of my heart. It's dark; I don't know the way, and the only light at the end of the tunnel is the assurance that He will never leave me or forsake me.

Just me, Jesus, and a sign that reads "Authentic Friend or Acquaintance"?

He wants me to understand that there is a difference. As women, we need to know the fundamental differences between the two. Our lack of understanding in this area often spreads us too thin and our husbands and children feel neglected.

In a few days, we will touch on those differences. Until then, think of your "friends". Which ones make you smile and which ones make you grateful for caller I.D. ?