Twenty years ago, I lost almost everything that mattered to me.
I lost my mother. I lost my job. I lost my marriage.
I was completely broken.
At the time, I couldn't imagine that God was quietly rebuilding a life that would be far greater than the one I was mourning.
Then, six years ago, I believed I finally knew what my future looked like.
I was preparing to run for City Council At-Large, convinced that winning an election would restore everything I felt I had lost. After being injured in a workplace accident, I lost my job as a furniture salesperson. Along with my income went much of my confidence. I felt as though I was losing the respect of my children, and I desperately wanted to prove—to them, to my family, and to myself—that I still mattered, that I still had value, and that my life still had purpose.
At the same time, I was carrying the deep wounds of a painful marriage. I watched my ex-husband move from one younger woman to another, often bringing them around me and my children. Every encounter left another scar on my heart. I felt humiliated, rejected, and invisible.
Without realizing it, I wasn't chasing purpose—I was chasing validation.
Running for office slowly became less about serving my community and more about proving my worth.
But God...
In His infinite wisdom and unfailing love, He had another plan.
On Christmas Eve, just before the election year, my life changed forever. I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Shortly afterward, I began dialysis, and my dream of running for office came to an abrupt end.
I was devastated.
I couldn't understand why God kept allowing one door after another to close. I questioned His timing. I questioned His purpose. There were even moments when I questioned whether He still saw me.
But what I couldn't see then, I understand now.
God wasn't rejecting me.
He was redirecting me.
The platform I was chasing could never compare to the purpose He was preparing.
Dialysis didn't stop my calling—it refined it.
My illness didn't disqualify me—it became part of my testimony.
God wasn't preparing me to become a politician.
He was preparing me to become a healer.
An encourager.
An advocate.
A kidney transplant survivor.
A Certified Healing and Empowerment Coach.
And a living witness of His amazing grace.
Today, I understand that what looked like disappointment was actually divine protection. God closed the door to a position because He was opening the door to my purpose.
Looking back, I don't grieve the election I never ran.
I thank God for the path He chose instead.
Through every setback, every tear, every dialysis treatment, every transplant, every unanswered prayer, and every painful season, He was healing me, empowering me, and restoring me.
Now I know that my greatest assignment was never to hold public office.
It was to help people heal.
Sometimes God says "no" to the life we planned because He is preparing us for the life He promised.
His "no" is often His greatest act of protection.
And for that, I will forever give Him all the glory.
HER. HEAL. EMPOWER. RESTORE.
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