Debbie Zeigler

When I see people suffer, my heart aches. It always has, even when I was the one throwing sharp words at elementary friends, ignoring calls from the boy wearing "floods," or, much later, yelling at my unsuspecting and, frequently, innocent husband and kids during that wretched week of every month. Yes, it has been especially painful to watch people suffer because I hurt them. It was this pain that drove me to God - and to write this blog.

Part of why I threw stones is because I was bruised and bleeding from some pretty large boulders which landed on me while I was trying to grow up. The other part? Well, to be blunt, I'm a major sinner who needs a daily ration of God's grace and mercy!

Several years back, a friend introduced me to "Life Recovery" through Celebrate Recovery's 12-Step Bible study. What is Life Recovery, anyway? Life Recovery is a means to physical, emotional, and spiritual healing through viewing past hurts through God's eyes, that we may gain the perspective and power needed to healthily address present problems.

Wow - that was a mouthful. Simply stated, Life Recovery is seeing and doing life God's way, not ours. And it works!

Through daily self-examination, honest disclosure with trusted friends, and consistent time with God, I have experienced an amazing amount of healing - and joy! Now, you don't have to be a church-goer to get something from this blog; you don't even have to believe in God. The principles for life that you will find here are for everyone who hurts and wants to heal - for you and for me.

I want to share my life, my thoughts, and my encouragement with you, with the hope and expectation that we can travel this road towards more "abundant life" together. One thing this seasoned traveler has learned is this: God's love is a passionate love that will chase us to the deepest depths of our sin, embrace us with a never-letting-go grip, and rescue us from our enemies - even when the worst is ourselves. For real!

"Help each other in troubles and problems. This is the kind of law Christ asks us to obey." Galatians 6:2 (NLV)