Navigating Faith and Loss: A Pastor's Journey

Where Love Rebuilds: A Story of Father-Daughter Reconciliation

Time and time again, we hear that a girl’s first love is her father. It’s often said that the father-daughter relationship, whether healthy or strained, lays the foundation for a daughter’s emotional development. A strong bond can shape how she sees herself, influence her relationships with men, and even affect her outlook on life. But what happens when that bond is tested or begins to weaken? Join me as we explore the complexities of the father-daughter relationship through a deeply personal lens with author, Ashley Wood. Ashley co-authored a book, This life is Ghetto, with her father, which offers an honest and heartfelt conversation between a father and daughter as they navigate the emotional fallout of divorce and its impact on their relationship.

Navigating Faith and Loss: A Pastor's Journey

As people of faith, we often turn to our pastors and spiritual leaders for prayer and support during times of loss, trauma, illness, and other life challenges. But who do pastors turn to when they face similar struggles? In this episode, we explore how pastors navigate their own personal hardships while continuing to minister to others. I have known Pastor Mona Steward for most of my life and have witnessed her counsel and support people through some of their most difficult times. Today, we’ll discuss her own journey through the heartbreaking loss of her only daughter, and how she has found strength in the midst of such profound grief.

Still A Rose: Life After Divorce

When a woman gets married, whether it is a big or small wedding, it is the most exciting/life changing day of her life. We look in the eyes of our intended and recite these vows, "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death.," It is with the intent that our union will last forever. However, according to a report released by the CDC in 2021, 43% of first marriages end in separation or divorce within 15 years. My guest today is Vernita Ware, founder of a Non-Profit, Still A Rose. Her story is a reminder that you can rise out of dark, hard place, and bloom as a beautiful Rose.

Backstory Part 2: Life and Marriage

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Backstory as a story that tells what led up to the main story or plot (as of a film). Growing up in a large extended family was like being in a real-life motion picture. It played out in real time with many lively characters and different storylines. There was love, intrigue, comedy, and prayer. As with any family, the generations struggled at times to understand one another. I have found that the best way to understand someone is to learn about their life experiences and their backstory. Our family is blessed because my mom and her 4 sisters, ages 80-90, are still with us. (During the time of this taping they were between the ages of 87 -77) I had an opportunity to discuss some of their experiences which laid the foundation for the women they are today and for our family history. They're strong, beautiful, wise, funny, and God-fearing women that always have each other’s back. There were six, but five remain—amazing women with shared history but individual stories. Join us as we discuss faith, family, and survival in part two of this two-part episode.

Backstory Part 1: Growing Up

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Backstory as a story that tells what led up to the main story or plot (as of a film). Growing up in a large extended family was like being in a real-life motion picture. It played out in real-time with many lively characters and different storylines. There was love, intrigue, comedy, and prayer. As with any family, the generations struggled at times to understand one another. I have found that the best way to understand someone is to learn about their life experiences and their backstory. Our family is blessed because my mom and her 4 sisters, ages 80-90, are still with us. (During the time of this taping they were between the ages of 87 -77) I had an opportunity to discuss some of their experiences which laid the foundation for the women they are today and for our family history. They're strong, beautiful, wise, funny, and God-fearing women that always have each other’s back. There were six, but five remain. Amazing women with shared history but individual stories. Join us as we discuss faith, family, and survival in this two-part episode.