On Christmas Eve, I sat quietly in a place I recently started attending—, surrounded by my mom’s memories and the warmth of loving, kind people. It was there, in that stillness, that I felt God speak to me—gently but clearly. It’s time to heal. Be still.

For years, I’ve found myself running when a church hurt me. Disappointment often led me to leave, hoping a new place might feel safer. But in that moment, I realized something I had missed—healing doesn’t always come in the building. Sometimes, just showing up without a role or responsibility is its own kind of restoration.

This blog is a reflection of my healing—my journey to sit in the stillness and allow God to work within me. I’m writing for the unseen, trusting that my story will find its way to those who need it, just as I continue to find comfort in the stories God places in front of me.

If you’ve ever felt the ache of church hurt, I pray that as I share my heart, you’ll feel less alone. But more than anything, this space is for me—a space to lean into the healing that I know God is bringing.

Here’s to the path of healing, wherever it may lead.

Hugs from Ali