“Now, Eye See”
My Journey Through Pain and Finding God’s Purpose
September 12, 2022, marked three years since I was diagnosed with shingles, a disease that changed my life in ways I never expected. It began with painful blisters along my front hairline, spreading down the bridge of my nose, circling under my left eye, and across the side of my face. One of the hardest parts was the nerve damage to my left eye. The physical pain was intense, but the emotional and spiritual journey that followed was even greater.
The pain sometimes made it difficult to even wear my glasses or style my hair. I found comfort in simplicity: minimal makeup, a ponytail, and relying on faith to carry me through. In the midst of this journey, I turned to writing - seriously focusing on what I was destined to do - write books. Five months later, February 2023 marked the release of my first children’s book, Grace And The Golden Rule. I followed that with Grace Loves Her Neighbor in February 2024. Both books have been honored with awards and even appeared on billboards in Times Square, New York—a testament to God’s grace working through my story.
To my surprise, the disease recurred in February 2025—not with blisters this time, but still affecting the same eye. While these health struggles could have consumed me with fear or despair, I found a deeper lesson and resolve unfolding.
In February 2025, I published two more books: Grace And The Power Of Prayer, the third in the Grace adventure series, and Putting God First, an inspirational handbook for teenagers. I also have a fifth book set to release in spring 2026 and actively pitching my debut book as a faith-based, family Christmas movie, hoping to share these messages with an even wider audience.
Reflecting on all that’s happened, I learned a powerful truth:
Pain helped me discover God’s purpose for my life.
As I approach my 50th birthday, I look forward to the next chapter. If the next half-century is as blessed as the first, I’ll have many more stories to write and messages to share. To God be the glory!
