Hello Sis,Let’s Heal Together,Celebrate Our Life Recoveries,and Flourish.

 For christain women of color who are healing from hurts, hang-ups, negative habits, or trauma.

                            This Month, I’m Honoring Authentic Healing

As a volunteer devotional group leader for a Women’s Celebrate Recovery program, I’m stepping out of denial into God’s grace—and inviting you along.

My goal in this blog is to:

• Share biblical principles and practical steps for healing.

• Offer honest pieces of my story (without making it all about me).

• Give you tools and encouragement you can use right now.

We’ll walk through Celebrate Recovery’s Eight Principles (from the Beatitudes) and the Twelve Steps, then connect them to everyday life as women of faith in recovery.

The Eight Principles (Beatitudes-Based)

These principles come from The Road to Recovery by Pastor Rick Warren and are rooted in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–11):

1. Realize I’m not God. I admit I’m powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.
(Matthew 5:3) “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

2. Believe God can help. I believe God exists, I matter to Him, and He has the power to help me recover.
(Matthew 5:4) “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

3. Commit to Christ. I consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control.
(Matthew 5:5) “Blessed are the meek.”

4. Confess and examine. I openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.
(Matthew 5:8) “Blessed are the pure in heart.”

5. Submit to change. I voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.
(Matthew 5:6) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”

6. Repair relationships. I evaluate all my relationships, offer forgiveness to those who’ve hurt me, and make amends when I can do so without causing more harm.
(Matthew 5:7, 5:9) “Blessed are the merciful… Blessed are the peacemakers.”

7. Spend daily time with God. I reserve daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer.

8. Share the good news. I yield myself to God to be used to bring this good news to others, by both my example and my words.
(Matthew 5:10) “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness.”

These aren’t just ideas. They’re a way of life that can reshape how you see God, yourself, and your recovery.

Twelve Steps, Backed by Scripture

These steps are for any woman stuck in cycles—addictions, shame, people-pleasing, anger, or anything else:

1. Admit you’re powerless and your life is unmanageable. (Romans 7:18)

2. Believe a Power greater than you can restore you to sanity. (Philippians 2:13)

3. Decide to turn your life and will over to God. (Romans 12:1)

4. Make a searching, fearless moral inventory. (Lamentations 3:40)

5. Admit your wrongs to God, yourself, and another person. (James 5:16)

6. Be entirely ready for God to remove your defects. (James 4:10)

7. Humbly ask Him to remove your shortcomings. (1 John 1:9)

8. List those you’ve harmed and become willing to make amends. (Luke 6:31)

9. Make direct amends when possible, except when it would cause harm. (Matthew 5:23–24)

10. Continue to take inventory and promptly admit when you’re wrong. (1 Corinthians 10:12)

11. Seek God through prayer and meditation for knowledge of His will and power to carry it out. (Colossians 3:16)

12. After a spiritual awakening, carry this message and practice these principles in all areas of life. (Galatians 6:1)

If you’re tired of doing life in your own strength, these steps can give you a path forward.

References:

The Celebrate Recovery Study Bible, revised edition, published by Zondervan, 2021

The Celebrate Recovery Leaders Guide, revised edition, published by Zondervan, 2025

The Celebrate Recovery Participants Guide, Volumes 1-4, revised edition, published by Zondervan, 2025

The New International Bible, revised edition, published by Zondervan, 2011

The Serenity Prayer as a Daily Anchor

When feeling overwhelmed, this prayer can center you:

“God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other…”

You can repeat this as often as you need—especially when you’re tempted to over-control, over-function, or over-carry.

My January Wins – and an Invitation to You

Recently God has been:

• Loosening negative memories from my past.

• Teaching me to own what I truly knew then, not what I “should” have known.

• Helping me release adult children into His hands.

• Freeing me from people and patterns that no longer fit where I’m going.

I spent years clinging to a 32-year marriage even after separation, holding onto what could have been and fearing life as a single woman. After six years of intentional recovery, I can say: I’m moving with certainty and clarity.

I share this not to center my story, but to say: if God can untangle my life at 65, He can meet you right where you are.

Ask yourself:
What are you looking forward to experiencing, having, and becoming in this healing season?

Why This Work Matters for Women of Color

As women of color, many of us have been taught to:

• Carry everyone else’s load.

• Stay silent.

• Accept crumbs and call it love.

Living the life meant for you—taking back your voice, worth, value, and freedom—matters because the alternative is living hostage to others’ approval and behavior.

We are not dumping grounds for emotional, verbal, mental, or physical trash. It’s time to say no to mistreatment and stop accepting it as normal.

Breaking generational patterns, challenging silence, and choosing peace over chaos doesn’t just heal you—it blesses your children, your community, and generations you may never meet.

How This Blog Was Born

I used to have all the pieces on paper—family, marriage, children—but inside, I was running on empty. I settled, denied my needs, and became the “accommodator” for people who couldn’t hold their own weight.

At 65, I live differently:

• I keep non-negotiable boundaries.

• I won’t accept what steals from the abundant life God promised.

• I no longer believe I should be grateful just to be chosen.

Instead, I believe:
“You deserve the best in every area of your life. No settling.”

This blog exists so you can start believing that for yourself, too.

When I Realized I Deserve Healing

Healing started to deepen when I accepted that:

• I am not my trauma.

• I am not my worst decisions.

• I am who God says I am.

“You are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
You were created in God’s image and blessed to be fruitful (Genesis 1:26–28).

When that truth sank in, I stopped living like someone who had to beg to be loved and started walking like a daughter who already is.

Some people grew distant. Some relationships ended. But what came in their place—peace, joy, contentment, and aligned connections—was worth the loss.

Tools That Have Helped Me (And Can Help You)

I embrace deeply:

• The Celebrate Recovery curriculum.

• The NIV Celebrate Recovery Bible.

They’ve given me:

• Structure and direction

• Daily truths and devotionals

• Stories and studies that remind me I’m not alone

These resources combine Scripture with practical, therapeutic tools that help turn hurts, hang-ups, and habits into healing and growth.

They’re not just for addiction. They’re for anyone looking to:

• Recover from people-pleasing, perfectionism, anger, codependency, anxiety, or shame.

• Grow in Christlike character.

• Build a life that feels aligned with God’s heart.

Day-by-Day Self-Acceptance

You don’t have to use every acronym or tool at once. Ask God, “Which one do I need today?” and start there.

Remember:

• Denial blocks growth.

• Powerlessness invites God’s power.

• Hope keeps your heart alive.

• Sanity is God restoring order and truth.

• Action is one step at a time.

• Confession releases shame.

• Grace says you don’t have to earn His love.

Change is still tender. Trusting, forgiving, breaking patterns, staying consistent, and believing you’re worthy of rest and love all take time.

But every small decision to show up for yourself is recovery in motion.

What Your Journey Can Teach You

In this season, you may be learning:

• Your softness is part of your strength.

• You’re allowed to choose yourself without apology.

• You can break cycles without breaking yourself.

As your inner life heals, you’ll notice:

• Healthier boundaries

• Kinder self-talk

• More honest conversations

• Deeper, more grounded faith

You do not have to be “accepted” to be worthy of love, kindness, and respect—starting with your own.

A Love Letter to You, Sis

This blog is my love letter to you.

You are not too broken, too late, too much, crazy, stupid, worthless, unwanted, unattractive, or hopeless.

You are seen. You are loved. You are still becoming.

One gentle step today:

Choose one small action that honors your healing—rest, a boundary, a phone call, a prayer, a glass of water, a journal entry.

Speak this over yourself:
“I am worthy of healing, rest, and joy—just as I am, right now.”

And remember:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Reflect on Your Own Journey

Take a few moments with these questions:

• Where do you see small signs of healing in your life?

• What are you tired of carrying alone?

• What habit, relationship, or belief are you ready to heal from?

• Who could you invite into your journey—therapist, friend, mentor, or faith community?

Capture your reflections in:

• A journal

• A healing diary

• A Soul Care Board (a vision board for your mind, will, and emotions)

Sis, We’re Recovering Together

Thank you for spending time with me. You are brave. Your story is still unfolding, and recovery is possible at any age.

We are a sisterhood. You don’t have to heal alone.

Here’s how to stay connected:

• Share in the comments: What part of your recovery are you celebrating today—no matter how small?

• Stay connected: Subscribe to my newsletter, join my email list, and follow me on social media for more “Recovering Life” content.

• Go deeper with me: I offer one-on-one coaching, groups, public speaking on women’s empowerment, authentic empowered leadership, and abundant living.

Call to Action:

• Share in the comments: What are you celebrating in your own life recovery journey?

• Subscribe: Join my email list and keep following this blog for more

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