Blooming through the Storm

Like a seed buried deep beneath the weight of the earth, my journey as a single divorced mom began in darkness. The soil was heavy with uncertainty of what actually existed, watered by tears of loss and nourished by prayers whispered in the midnight hours. Yet, just as a seed breaks open to reach for the light, I found strength sprouting from the cracks of my brokenness. Thank God it was not through my own strength because, if it was, what a struggle bus that would have been.

Some mornings felt like fighting through thorns—each step tangled with financial stress, navigating being the dual role of the mother and father, and just the moments of sheer exhaustion. But I held on to the promise of Isaiah 61:3: "...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." This scripture is like the sunlight that pushed me to rise despite the shadows.

I learned that even the wildest storms serve a purpose. Heavy rains nourish the soil, making it richer and more fertile. The same storms that threatened to uproot me were the ones that made my foundation stronger. I grew deeper roots of faith, resilience, and love for myself, my children and my journey.

If you find yourself buried beneath life’s weight, remember this: the storm is not your end. It’s your beginning. Trust the process. Trust the rain. And when it clears, you’ll find you’ve blossomed in ways you never thought possible.

XOXO, Ericka W.