There was a chapter of my life I would simply call The Hard Years. It was the season of growing up — a time when the world felt confusing, contradictory, and painfully unclear.
I carried a memory of what I heard taught in church, yet what I witnessed in daily life didn’t match those teachings. The two realities stood side by side, but they never aligned. That mismatch left me without a compass. I didn’t know how to reconcile what I was taught with what I saw. And without guidance, I felt lost — like a child trying to find her footing on shifting ground.
I grew up in an era marked by racism, and I didn’t know how to fit the person I knew myself to be into a world that seemed determined to tell me otherwise. I didn’t know where I belonged, or how to belong.
Being an introvert, I carried my observations quietly, without a mentor or foundation to help me make sense of them. The weight of that confusion became too heavy, and I reached a point where I no longer wanted to remain in the world.
But life has a way of intervening when the soul is slipping away.
In that moment, supernatural events pulled me back — gently, firmly, unmistakably. I was guided by celestial beings until I could stand on my own. And when I could, I was inadvertently introduced to a book about Jesus’ teachings. It became the foundation I never had, the anchor I needed, the place where my spirit found its footing.
Those were the hard years. But they were also the years that planted the seeds of my spiritual life — the years that taught me that even in confusion, even in pain, even in the absence of guidance, there is a Presence that steps in when the human world fails us.
What carried me through was not human clarity, not community, not understanding — but the quiet, steady hand of the spiritual world, guiding me toward the foundation I would one day stand on.
And that foundation has carried me ever since!
freedup7 
Betty!!! Hi! 🙋
Very true 👍 The confusion that we’re going through is too heavy, and we’re living in a sad state of the world with racism these days. It’s hard. Very hard.
I’ll launch the new blog later today. I’ll give you the link tomorrow and share it here. I’m so excited! 🤩
Have a nice, wonderful day, Betty! More blessings come your way! 🙏
I hope you’re finding some moments to slow down and catch your breath, Aptivi.
I’m really excited to hear about the new blog launch—can’t wait to see the link!
Wishing you all the best and sharing in your excitement!🙏🥳🤗🤩
Thank you so much for your kind wishes, Betty! You just made my day! 🙏🤩🤗
Of course, I’m finding moments to catch my breath. I have the same hopes for you ☺️
Smiling!☺️ I am not allowing anything to steal my joy! Thank you for your wishes, Aptivi! Enjoy the rest of the day!
Me too, I’m smiling! ☺️ Me too, I don’t allow anything to steal my joy! 👍
You’re most welcome, Betty! Of course, I’ll enjoy the rest of my day! You too! ☺️
Your words serve as a bridge to people who like me also grew up in a similar environment. I am also an introvert, so I think we have a lot in common. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
It’s nice to find someone that you have something in common with! It’s nice to make contact with you! I look forward to reading your post as well! Thank you!