This past weekend, I had an opportunity to go on a retreat called the Survivors Thriving and Writing Retreat. It was created by Tori Hope Peterson who is the leader of The Beloved Initiative Non-profit. She wanted to create a space for survivors of trauma and abuse to learn and grow together in their writing,Continue reading “Survivors Thriving and Writing”
Author Archives: Elena Lucas
Encouragement: Put Your Hope in Christ
These past couple of weeks have been hard, and that seems to be going around. I’ve talked to several people who have been facing some setbacks, challenges, discouragement, hurt, unexpected changes—some hard things. One unfortunate part of this life is that it is often difficult. No matter who you are, you know this to beContinue reading “Encouragement: Put Your Hope in Christ”
A Broken Girl, a Patient Boy, and a Good God
A few months ago, I shared the story of how Dillon and I began a friendship and how we started dating a year later. God was so kind and so present during that season of life, and He remained that way once Dillon and I started dating. I thought it was fitting to go backContinue reading “A Broken Girl, a Patient Boy, and a Good God”
In Church
TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual Abuse I saw a guitar and thought of you. When you used to play your guitar the tension in my body lessened. Either because you made beautiful music or because it meant your hands were occupied. Better to caress the strings of a guitar than the skin of your daughter. Better toContinue reading “In Church“
Grey Space
It’s been a while since I wrote a blog post. Honestly, my life has been very busy with a mixed bag of things; some really wonderful and some really difficult. In the past month, I have rejoiced and wept, I have laughed and grieved. I have seen doors closing and others opening. I have madeContinue reading “Grey Space”
Waiting, Singleness, and an Oblivious Boy
There have been several times in my life when I was in a season of waiting; times when God asked me to trust Him and to be content with not having whatever it may have been that I desired. God has shown me how to have patience through those times of waiting, though I stillContinue reading “Waiting, Singleness, and an Oblivious Boy”
Expectations vs. Expectancy: Letting Go of Control
In my life, things have rarely ever gone how I expected them to. I always love to make plans and try to foresee how things might turn out, but in the end, I can really only guess. It is okay to make plans and try to be prepared for whatever may come, but I thinkContinue reading “Expectations vs. Expectancy: Letting Go of Control”
Rejoicing in Truth
When I shared my testimony at the beginning of this blog, I mentioned that I would later write the story of how God forced me to tell my family that my dad had been abusing me. Well, this is that story. There are so many factors in this story and when I look back overContinue reading “Rejoicing in Truth”
Loss
The empty leather recliner or the head of the kitchen table—another empty chair. Mom makes food, but we have extras. When together my family asks, “is this everyone?” On graduation day, I get a look of pride from my mom, but it feels strange that you can’t even celebrate this with me. When I getContinue reading “Loss“
Struggling With Depression as a Christian
Though I didn’t always understand what it was, I have struggled with depression for a lot of my life. There are seasons of life where I feel like I am drowning in depression and there are seasons of life where I don’t feel like it is an issue. Especially in the past 5 years, myContinue reading “Struggling With Depression as a Christian”
Rejoicing in Truth 