There comes a moment
when the soul no longer wrestles
with what it has lost—

but remembers
who it belongs to.

Reflections on God’s gift of flesh and soul, and man’s mistaken belief in his own power over evil.
Written in 2008 to celebrate the life of my best friend and beloved brother. Francisco Carlos de Sousa.

A body without a soul, in this world,
is the end of the matter—

left to decay,
consumed by worms,
and meaningless
to those who walk in the light.

Yet the fullness of our being
is God’s will for humanity:
the harmonious perfection,
the sacred communion
of both body and soul.

A soul without a body
is, to this world,
like ether in the air—
unseen,
untouchable.

Its existence mirrors
the faith of the godless man:
lost,
without purpose,
unable to grasp
the substance of truth.

I belong to no evil.
My body yields
to God’s will
through the surrender
of my being.

Through obedience
to His Word,
I have dominion
over my flesh—
its wants,
and its needs.

My soul remains pure,
dwelling among the saints
who are my family on this earth.
Therefore,
I need not die
to enter heaven,
for my spirit already lives
in peace—
in the abundance
of God’s goodness.
⸻
I, a saint,
live and belong to God
among those of my world—
where no religion
or doctrine
can enchant or bind my soul,
and where the freedom of Jesus
continually knocks
within my being.

Even here,
I am held.
⸻
Part of the “Aligned & Restored” series — reflections written in dark seasons to reveal the light of God’s love.

Life often presents moments when past experiences resurface unexpectedly, stirring emotions that influence how we respond to present circumstances. Many believers find themselves reacting out of fear, doubt, or discouragement rooted in past struggles. These responses can feel overwhelming—as though the past has taken hold of the present and is attempting to limit the future God has prepared.

Yet Scripture reminds us that God uses every experience—both victories and hardships—to shape His divine purpose in our lives.
⸻
When Memories Lead the Heart

Past wounds can trigger emotional responses similar to the fight-or-flight reaction. These responses may cause believers to hesitate, withdraw, or even resist the very opportunities God places before them. However, God reminds us that transformation begins with the renewing of our minds:

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
— Romans 12:2 (KJV)

When we allow past experiences to define our identity, we risk limiting what God intends to accomplish through us. But when we allow Him to renew our thinking, those same experiences become powerful testimonies of His faithfulness.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…”
— Revelation 12:11 (KJV)
⸻

When the Past Tries to Block the Future God Has Prepared

Many believers’ lives can resemble a spiritual boxing match. They fight diligently, trusting God, yet sometimes feel as though they have lost the final round. However, God does not measure success by temporary defeat—He measures growth through endurance and faith.

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
— Romans 8:37 (KJV)

What may appear as defeat is often preparation. Each challenge strengthens spiritual maturity, deepens compassion, and increases wisdom. Those who endure adversity often become powerful teachers, mentors, and ministers of the Word of God, because they understand suffering and redemption firsthand.
⸻

Emotional Roadblocks Are Not Rejection

Many believers interpret obstacles as signs they are moving in the wrong direction. However, God often uses closed doors as divine redirection.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”
— Isaiah 55:8 (KJV)

Spiritual maturity develops when believers begin to see hardships not as rejection, but as part of God’s refining process. These experiences prepare us for new callings, new ministries, and unexpected life transitions.
⸻

Walking in God’s Purpose Requires Spiritual Courage

God often calls individuals into paths that do not align with worldly expectations. Walking in divine purpose requires the courage to stand apart from cultural standards and societal pressures.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)

Jesus said:

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
— John 17:16 (KJV)

We are in the world, but we are not of it.

The journey of purpose can feel lonely at times. Yet solitude with God often becomes the place where clarity, strength, and vision are developed. When believers surrender their plans to His will, they discover that their struggles become stepping stones toward their calling.
⸻

From Brokenness to Ministry

Believers who allow God to heal and teach through their past experiences become vessels of encouragement and restoration for others. Their testimony becomes living proof that God transforms pain into purpose.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…”
— Romans 8:28 (KJV)

Through faith, we learn to embrace life with a victor’s mindset—not because life is free of difficulty, but because God is faithful through every season.
⸻

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
I thank You that nothing in my past is wasted in Your hands. Every pain, every delay, and every closed door is being used for Your divine purpose in my life.

Renew my mind, Lord, that I may not be led by fear, but by faith. Heal every place in me where past wounds still speak louder than Your promises. Teach me to trust You fully, even when I do not understand the process.

Give me the courage to walk in Your calling, even when the path feels uncertain or lonely. Help me to see myself the way You see me—redeemed, restored, and set apart for Your glory.

Lord, turn my scars into testimonies, my pain into purpose, and my journey into a light for others. Let my life reflect Your faithfulness in every season.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
⸻

Invitation to Reflect
• Have you experienced a moment when your past tried to prevent you from stepping into God’s promise?
• Have you witnessed God transforming a painful season into preparation for your calling?

Your testimony may be the encouragement someone else needs to continue their journey of faith.

This is a place for those who are seeking more than answers—
for those who are seeking God.

Here, you will find words born out of real encounters,
walked through in faith, and surrendered in truth.

Not every path is easy.
Not every season is understood.
But every step, when given to God, leads to transformation.

Thank you for stepping into this space.

May what you read here help you realign what matters and restore what has been quietly waiting.

I am in the WORD to CHANGE the world.

— Eglaide Seiber

A WOMAN IN GRIEF
The Power of Transformation

Before every testimony, there is a story.
Before every healing, there is a place of pain.

The Lady in Grief is not just a collection of writings—
it is the journey of a soul transformed by the love of God.
— ✧ —
Dedication

My love for writing began in my childhood in Brazil, when I first saw life through the eyes of a child embraced by the pure and powerful love of God. As a mother, that same love flowed through me to my children. It is for them—that they may know and walk in the love of God—that I dedicate this collection of poems, prayers, and reflections.

Through my sons—José Felipe, João Vitor, and John Gustavo—I have come to know the unfailing love of God in a deeper way. As a mother, daughter, sister, and redeemed child of God, my writings stand as a testimony of gratitude for the salvation and transformation I have found in Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

For until I encountered Jesus supernaturally on January 16, 2002, I lived as a woman in grief. But His salvation transformed me, and now I live with joy unspeakable. This is why I boldly declare: I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, for it is the power of God unto salvation.

Romans 1:16 (KJV) — “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

1 Corinthians 13:8 (KJV) — “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”
— ✧ —

The Kaleidoscope of My Life with God

The kaleidoscope of my life with God’s presence is revealed through my writings. In every poem, article, devotional, testimony, reflection, and prayer, there is a piece of my heart—filled with the love of God for my soul and the partnership I share with His Holy Spirit.

He has entrusted me with His heart’s burden for souls—the struggles of humanity and the conflicts of this world. I am only an empty vessel, used to express His love, His justice, His sorrow, and His longing for a personal relationship with His creation.

I am just a little pen in the hands of a mighty God—reaching through me to the hearts of His beloved children.

This is why my personal tagline declares:
“I am in the WORD, to CHANGE the world!”

Welcome to the journey.

This article was first written in 2015 for my first public reading with The LA Beach Writers at the Gulf Shores Public Library (Alabama), and later adapted on February 6, 2026, for a public reading with the Path to Peace Christian Writers’ Group at Supposey Warehouse & Gardens in Pensacola, Florida.

This piece also serves as the introduction to Chapter Seven of my upcoming book, Writing with God.

The Vision

During Thanksgiving week of 2015, I had a vision that has stayed with me ever since.

In this vision, I found myself in a home library, standing in a spacious room and seeing with remarkable precision every detail around me. I noticed that the crafted wood bookshelves matched the desk and the chair beside me. The books on the shelves were neatly arranged by color and size, with their titles written in antique gold, bold letters.

The library was warm, with an atmosphere of both peace and wealth, accentuated by the solid mahogany shelves and matching furniture. I was standing by the desk, looking outside through large glass windows.

Beyond them, I saw a peaceful landscape filled with vibrant colors, displaying with its natural beauty the work of a master impressionist. From a far distance, my eyes caught tall and elegant trees, their leaves dressed in shades of yellow and brown, announcing the arrival of fall. I could almost smell the grass and feel the early-morning dew on the windows.

For a moment, my attention returned to the desk, where my hand rested on a book I had just finished reading. I was about to place it among the other books on the shelves, resembling trophies—stories preserved to be shared with future generations.

All of these moments unfolded before my eyes like a soothing melody, embracing my soul with peace.

I woke from this vision with the sensation that I had visited my future life. As I drank my morning coffee, the vision replayed in my mind in slow motion. I saw myself once again in that library, paused by a powerful realization—I had just read a book about my own life.

Prophetically, I was contemplating a life well lived, filled with fulfillment and immense gratitude.

Hardship and sorrow were part of the main script of that book, but there were also chapters of triumph, joy, and discovery—learning to overcome difficulties, reinvent myself, grow, and become a better person. It was a life shaped by the pursuit of love, professional success, financial security, peace, and happiness.

I felt a touch of sorrow as I reflected on those who had influenced who I had become, hoping they could see me from heaven with pride. I also thought of the people still present in my life—those who walked with me through different seasons, who believed in me when I could not believe in myself, and who invested their time and unconditional love to see me cross each new finish line.

In the pages of that book, there was no place for regret or resentment. Only gratitude and amazement for how far I had come. And as a Christian, I could clearly see the hand of God upon my life and my family every step of the way.

A New Beginning

As I prepared to write for this group reading event, I was reminded of my experiences when I first arrived in the United States from Brazil.

At 25 years old, when I left Brazil, I had already achieved much against the odds. My career as a financial secretary for a major American-based company was a central part of my identity.

Coming to live in the United States without knowing the language, understanding the culture, or having my family and friends nearby was surreal—stressful and, at times, even magical.

For the most part, I felt like an outsider, suddenly dropped into another world where I had to learn how to communicate, understand basic social cues, and navigate everyday life.

I had to learn everything about my new homeland—how to read, write, and engage in social settings—often feeling that I was not bringing anything of value to the table.

I also learned that arriving legally did not change the reality that I had to begin again from zero professionally. At 25 years old, manual labor became the tool through which I began carving my way into this new land.

Yet the dream of building a better life—and the love and protection of the new relationships God placed in my path—kept me moving forward.

Building and Becoming

Through perseverance and faith, I moved forward into achievements beyond what I could have imagined. By the time I turned 40, I was married for the second time, raising three wonderful sons, employing hundreds of people from different nations, and had become a writer.

I published my international newspaper, Tropical Whispers, and traveled to over 18 countries. I was also deeply involved in community service, serving on boards and committees, and actively engaged in my church. Looking back, I can see that I was building a full and accomplished life. But I was also burning both ends of the candle—something that would eventually bring me to a place of complete exhaustion.

When Everything Changed

Due to the financial challenges the country faced after September 11, 2001, my professional life began to decline, coinciding with the beginning of my second divorce. In 2004, shortly after my divorce was finalized, the Gulf Coast was struck by a major hurricane—on my birthday—and again in 2005. After Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, followed by the Housing Bubble and Credit Crisis of 2007–2009, and the BP oil spill in 2010, I was left in complete financial destitution. Yet even in this, I now see something different.

The years of stillness that followed became an ordained gift from God. They allowed me to process my losses, my emotional setbacks, and my spiritual walk. They gave me space to truly see and appreciate what—and who—I had become for a purpose greater than my own.

The Writer Within

As I reflect on my life, from childhood in Brazil until now, I realize that there has always been a faithful companion walking with me through every season. That companion has been the writer within me.

Through every stage of my life, I have written—recording my desires and dreams, my fears and hopes, my sorrows and joys, my successes and failures, and my expectations for a greater future. That faithful companion helped me stay focused on tomorrow.

Through my journals and poems, I can clearly see how God has always been present in my life. Through every trial and every victory, my writing has encouraged me to stay focused on the prize ahead. In everything I have written, I can see my emotional growth, my professional journey, and my spiritual enlightenment. Through the pages of my unpublished stories, I have come to better understand the life I have lived.

It was this God-given passion for writing that enabled me to build a new path and discover a new identity. Today, I can say with confidence: I am a writer—against the odds.

Faith and Promise

As a Christian writer, the Word of God is my main source of inspiration. In the book of Haggai, chapter 2, verse 9 (New Living Translation), the Bible says that the glory of our latter days shall be greater than the former. Today, as I write these words, I have peace about my future. Because I am certain that the LORD spoke to me—through a vision—of a book already written about my life.

Haggai 2:9 (NLT)

“The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “And in this place, I will bring peace. I, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

The Road Less Traveled.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (Jeremiah 33:3, KJV)

About yourself, about others, so you may have compassion and humility whenever you feel hurt, mistreated, rejected, or despised, said the Spirit of the Lord to me today.

The Word from Jeremiah above, along with the reflection that follows, is meant to minister to the hearts of those reading this message, just as it has ministered to me. Sometimes, we find ourselves jumping into the wagon of judgment, with criticism as our driving force, because we carry scars from judgmental systems that have shaped our motives.

It is only when Jesus Christ becomes alive within us through the Word of God that we begin to recognize that we have all sinned against God’s will for our lives.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, KJV)

“Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” (Psalm 2:8, KJV)

Through His love and compassion, God the Father brings us back into His Kingdom, not so we can become judges of others through self-righteousness, but to equip us as His warriors and messengers of the Gospel of Love.

We cannot be effective for the Kingdom of God when we forget our own frailties and focus only on the frailties of others. The Word of God teaches us to care for others as we would want to be cared for:

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39, KJV)

This means that when we are judgmental toward others, we are hindering our own spiritual growth. Grace is not about ignoring sin, ours or that of others. Rather, it is the divine foundation that shapes our being and empowers us to live in righteousness, so we do not sin against our brothers or against ourselves.

“But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:14, KJV)

Note that it is the Word of God—Jesus Christ Himself—who is near, in our mouths and in our hearts, enabling us to obey. Without Him, we are unable to live the abundant life God intends for us.

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10, KJV)

So, obedience is a clear sign that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is alive and active within us.

Let us not only teach JESUS, but live Him daily, in humility, in love, and in surrender, as we walk this road less traveled.

I am in the WORD to CHANGE the world.

A Prayer for the Weary Heart

Heavenly Father,

In moments when my heart feels heavy, misunderstood, or wounded, draw me closer to You. Teach me to fix my eyes on You, and not on my pain. Remove every spirit of judgment within me, and replace it with compassion, humility, and Your perfect love.

Lord Jesus, live richly within me. Let Your Word dwell in my heart and flow from my mouth, that I may walk in obedience and reflect Your light to others, even in my brokenness.

Help me to surrender my ways, my thoughts, and my understanding, and to trust fully in Your will. Strengthen me to walk the road less traveled, knowing that You are with me every step of the way.

In Jesus ‘ mighty name,

Amen.

By Eglaide Seiber - with a special guest contribution by Judy Henry

A Testimony of Rekindled Purpose

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

After much deliberation about how to sell a few precious items I had in my home, I decided to list them on Facebook Marketplace. I confess that I felt discouraged because, in the past, the only responses I received were from scammers trying to obtain my bank information. Still, despite my insecurities, the persistent feeling to try again would not let me walk away. So, I placed my items for sale.

Among the pieces I listed was a very large watercolor canvas portraying a sunlit window overlooking the quiet ocean. On the wooden table before the window rested a small model sailboat, surrounded by the gentle signs of an artist at work — a painter’s palette dotted with color, small jars of paint, and a glass jar holding several brushes. A canvas leaned softly to the side, as if the artist had only stepped away for a moment.

Every time I looked at that painting, I felt there was something special about it. It was as if the LORD was showing me that something great was coming on the horizon of my life, that He would one day finish the work He had begun in me.

Days passed without any inquiries, until one day a woman messaged me to say she wanted to buy that picture. I realized I had mixed feelings about letting it go, but I knew I had to obey the prompting of the LORD in my heart.

After exchanging messages, we agreed to meet in a public place the next morning. However, on the day of our meeting, she contacted me to say that although she had begun driving, she realized her car was too small to transport the large artwork. Immediately, I felt in my heart that I should deliver the picture to her instead. We made plans for me to bring it to her the following day. Her home was about a forty-five-minute to one-hour drive away, but that did not matter to me. There was a spark of joy in my soul that I could not fully explain. It was not about the money. It was not even about overcoming my fear of selling through Facebook Marketplace. What I felt was the unspeakable joy the Bible talks about in 1 Peter 1:1-8 KJV.

So, I called my friend Madalena and invited her to come along. We could enjoy the beautiful Florida sunshine and scenery, and perhaps have lunch by the water on our way back. As we were driving, I realized I had not been in that part of Florida for over a decade. My mind began to fill with memories from a season of life that had long faded from my conscious thoughts.

When we arrived at the buyer’s house, the sweetest smiling face greeted us at the door. There was an immediate sense of familiarity and comfort, as if we had known each other before. She graciously welcomed us into her warm and beautiful home and showed us the room where the painting would be displayed.

As we talked, I noticed a sewing machine nearby and began sharing about a season in my life when I had a storefront ministry. There, I offer Haute Couture clothing designs and alteration services while also leading a women’s Christian ministry.

As the conversation continued, she mentioned that she was an author who had published a children’s book titled Corey’s Peaceful Heart. I then shared that I was also a writer, publisher, and content editor.

She suddenly stood up and said, “I need to show you something.”

She returned moments later, holding a copy of her book, and told me she wanted me to have it. I was almost in tears as she explained how the book came to be and how she used it to help children. What she did not know was that I had been searching for a special birthday gift for my adopted grandson, who has a mild form of autism.

In that moment, it felt as if the Lord Himself had prepared that gift long before I realized it. I told her the book she had given me would be a gift for him. She lovingly signed and dedicated the book to my grandson.

Before we left her home, something even more unexpected happened. Not only did she pay me more than I had asked for the painting, but she also filled my hands with various items she wanted me to sell on Facebook to support my women’s ministry. As my friend Madalena and I drove away, we were in awe of what we had just witnessed.

At first, I thought the blessing was simply that I had obeyed God, delivered the painting, found the perfect birthday gift for my grandson, enjoyed a beautiful day with my friend, and revisited memories from long ago.

But that was only the beginning.

It was as if the artist in that painting had finally picked up the resting brush to complete his masterpiece in my life.

We continued to stay in contact and soon became friends, amazed at how a simple Facebook Marketplace sale had brought us together. My heart was deeply moved by Judy’s dedication to helping others. I felt that her work on the book was not finished. I felt a strong desire to help her regain the confidence to publish her book again and distribute it in my city through my connections with churches and local businesses.

As time passed, we realized there would be challenges ahead. The financial cost of publishing and the differences in our spiritual journeys. But when love is the driving force behind what we do, obstacles cannot stop the purpose of serving others and improving lives for future generations.

As I write this piece tonight, eight months later, Corey’s Peaceful Heart is once again available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and on its website.

Since that day, my life has been moving forward with surprising speed, in the same supernatural way this story unfolded.

Since then, I have joined a Christian writers’ group and become active in writing again. I reconnected with a beloved friend I had not seen or heard from in over sixteen years. I have experienced healing from many emotional wounds caused by years of trauma and tribulations.

Since then, I have also become more confident in my calling as a writer, holding firmly to the word of new beginnings the LORD gave me in the summer of 2022. Isaiah 43:19KJV- ¹⁹ Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Since then, I no longer feel alone, rejected, or unloved.

Looking back now, I see that the painting was quietly telling a story long before I understood it. What began as a simple attempt to sell a painting became something far greater — a divine appointment that connected lives, restored a book meant to help children, and rekindled a calling that had been quietly waiting within my own heart.

In His perfect timing, the Master Artist picked up the brush once again and continued the work He had begun. “He hath made everything beautiful in his time” Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV

The new has come.

The old is gone.

And I know that I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 KJV

This is my side of the story.

Eglaide Seiber

Judy’s Side of the Story

I arranged to pick up a large framed painting from an online seller who lived about an hour away. Only two miles from home, I suddenly realized the picture would be too large to fit into my car. I quickly turned toward a small church parking lot where I could turn around. I had been there once before with a friend to visit “Margaret”, the fifth-oldest oak tree in Florida.

As I pulled into the parking lot and looked toward the magnificent tree, I felt terrible about canceling the appointment and possibly disappointing the seller. Taking a deep breath and gazing at the beautiful oak tree, I suddenly heard these words in my heart:

“It’s all for the highest good.”

At that moment, two thoughts immediately came to my mind: Could she use the thrift items I had planned to donate? And would she appreciate a copy of my children’s book, Corey’s Peaceful Heart? The book had been off the market for two years, but I still had three copies left.

When Eglaide and her friend Madalena arrived, they brought warm hugs and loving hearts. It quickly felt as though we had connected for a purpose.

During our conversation, Eglaide asked if I had ever written a book. Only then did I bring out Corey’s Peaceful Heart and give her a signed copy for her grandson’s birthday. I shared how the book came to be written and how the Shift and Shine Technique® introduces and supports the emotional well-being of children and adults at home and in schools. As our conversations continued, Eglaide’s interest in introducing Corey’s Peaceful Heart in her own community opened the door to finding a new publisher.

By following her intuition to personally deliver the painting, Eglaide became the catalyst that allowed Corey’s Peaceful Heart to return to the public once again.

For that, I am eternally grateful.

— Judy Henry

To learn more about the message of peace mentioned in this story, visit the official website:

https://www.coreyspeacefulheart.com

Author Bio

Judy Henry’s thirty-three-year career included teaching high school Home Economics in Louisiana and Early Childhood Professions in Texas, where she also directed the preschool child care program. After retirement, she authored The Early Years Child Development Curriculum for Texas parents and offered parent and child care staff workshops.

As a Connection Practice trainer, she learned the value of Heart Math’s heart coherence practice. She facilitated small groups and co-created the Connection Practice curriculum for grades three through five. Corey’s Peaceful Heart grew from a teacher’s request for a heart coherence resource for Kindergarteners.

In her seventies, Judy sold her home and began her seven-year “Journey into Peace.” As she traveled the country, she enjoyed sharing her book with young children in schools and libraries along the way

She hopes that Corey’s Peaceful Heart will contribute to happier, more peaceful lives for young children, both at home and in their early childhood programs.

—

Author Bio

Eglaide Seiber is a writer, entrepreneur, and community leader based on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. With more than two decades of experience in business administration, organizational leadership, and entrepreneurship, she has worked extensively in community development, nonprofit service, and cross-cultural initiatives.

Throughout her career, she has founded and managed small businesses, led ministry initiatives, and contributed to regional publications. Her work includes serving as a columnist, staff reporter, and developer of the first Hispanic publication on the Gulf Coast, Nuestra Palabra. She has also held leadership roles in community organizations focused on education, social services, and anti–human trafficking efforts.

Through her writing, Eglaide shares testimonies, biblical reflections, and stories of faith, healing, and restoration. She writes to encourage others to recognize God’s providence in everyday life.

Like the lotus that must rise through murky depths to bloom in the light, our greatest transformations often begin in the dark seasons of grief. What appears buried, cut down, or forgotten is not always finished. Beneath the surface, something unseen may still be alive.

This piece was originally written in 2020, during the height of the global pandemic and a season of deep national uncertainty surrounding the elections. The atmosphere was heavy with fear, division, and grief. I wrote these words as an offering of hope, to lift the sadness and quiet the despair that seemed to blanket our nation and the world. Looking back now, I recognize this reflection as more than timely encouragement; I see it as one of the prophetic articles the Lord entrusted to me. A word that continues to speak beyond that season.

Uncertain times were upon us. We witnessed the frailty of human systems and the limitations of leadership in addressing the magnitude of what the world faced. The structures we trusted seemed unable to steady the storm. Yet Scripture reminds us that our reliance must rest not on shifting foundations, but on the eternal Word of God. He who gives, guides, and directs through all generations. He is the Alpha and the Omega.

At the scent of water, it will flourish.

They have cut down the robust tree,
The tree that was full of life;
They have leveled it to the ground.
The fruits it once produced are gone.

Even the believers are saying:
“This story ended before it was finished;
Our dreams of prosperity and peace vanished
In the blink of an eye.”

But I say to you, America: Praise God!
The answers to our problems will come from heaven,
And the final word, the sovereign word,
Still belongs to the Lord.

Some say only the roots are left, and that they are rotting.
But God says, “There is still life there, and I will restore it.”
Hope for the tree that was cut down belongs to Him.
At the scent of water, it will bud again.

Its roots are deep within the heart of the earth.
So, even if the trunk looks dead upon the surface,
Listen carefully to what God says
And believe His promises for our land.

There is still hope for our future.
Our joy will return with the sound of louder laughter.
All things will return to righteousness.
The water is already present through our prayers,
Nurturing the tree that was severed.

What a beautiful testimony we shall have to tell.
We will say:
“We were a tree cut down to the stump,
But we saw God restore our lives.”

We praise God for the fulfillment of His promises.

The final word over our future has always belonged to Him.

We were like a tree leveled to the ground,

cut down, stripped, and left exposed.

Yet at the scent of water, He restored our dreams.

He restored our faith.

When we were cast down,

He raised us to our feet.

He restored our homes and our families.

And we shall serve Him, our God, with joy.

For the roots were never dead, they were only waiting for the water.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

I did not begin using AI because I was curious about technology. I began using it because I was afraid of it. At 65 years of age, I truly believed I did not need to add another layer of stress to my life by trying to understand something that seemed complicated and unnecessary. My professional background has always been centered around people, flawed human beings, as we all are, and helping them navigate life with faith and honesty. Technology was never my strength, and I convinced myself that it did not have to be.

However, at the beginning of February, I found myself pressed to begin teaching online. On February 4th, I made a decision that surprised even me: I would try. Not because I felt fully prepared, and not because I suddenly understood artificial intelligence, but because I did not want fear to dictate my future. If I was going to step into what God was calling me to do, I had to confront what intimidated me.

What changed in me was not simply the ability to operate a system. What changed was my understanding. I learned that using AI does not mean losing my voice. It does not mean allowing a machine to replace my convictions, my experiences, or my writing style. In my case, I view AI as a personal tutor. It works with me. It helps refine my thoughts, correct my grammar, and organize my ideas, but it does not remove the responsibility from me. I am still the one thinking, discerning, praying, and deciding what is said.

As I navigated my frustrations and mistakes, I realized something deeper: my resistance was rooted more in perception than reality. I had absorbed the narrative that AI was dangerous or even evil. Yet technology itself carries no morality. The heart of the user determines whether it will be used for good or for harm. That conviction brought me peace. When the intention is to serve, to teach, and to uplift, then the tool becomes a servant, not a master.

I am grateful to God for giving me the courage to step forward in faith. This new learning curve is not about keeping up with trends; it is about stewarding time wisely and expanding the reach of the ministry He has placed in my heart. I can already see how this will allow me to accomplish more in less time and with greater efficiency. Instead of feeling intimidated, I feel empowered.

What surprised me most is how much time fear can steal from us when we allow it to sit comfortably in our thinking. We often say that fear is False Evidence Appearing As Real, and yet we delay assignments, postpone growth, and justify avoidance because something feels unfamiliar. Scripture reminds us clearly, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV).

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” Audre Lorde

That statement resonates deeply with me. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the decision that vision matters more than fear.

If God has given us power, love, and a sound mind, then learning something new, even at 65, is not a threat. It is obedience. It is growth. It is stewardship.

I did not master technology overnight. But I refused to let fear master me. And that decision alone has strengthened my confidence, sharpened my focus, and reminded me that with Christ, I truly can do all things.

Until next time,

Eglaide Seiber

I AM in the WORD to CHANGE the world

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid… for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

— Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

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— Eglaide Seiber