The Testimony They Didn’t Want, But We Needed

How grace rewrote my story—and why it’s time for women shaped by shame to rise into something better.

A few years ago, my father-in-law sent me this quote:

“May you never go back to the dark places you fought so hard to get out of.”

Redefining the “Dark Places”

In the church world, we often think of the “dark places” as addictions and other “bad stuff.”

I grew up as a PK, went to Bible college, married a pastor, and spent the first four decades of my life trying to fit in (and then survive) the world of legalistic Christianity.

It nearly broke me.

I never experienced the “dark places” church members talked about in hushed tones. But I did carry around the weight of deep guilt, anxiety, and depression for years… and it felt as dark and as heavy as any scarlet sin.

Finding My People—and My Purpose

When I finally walked away from legalism (after about a decade of outgrowing it), I was labeled as a “rebel” who left “the truth.”

But here’s the truth: I’m a woman who was delivered from the dark place of a shame-shaped religious system.

I do have a testimony–but no one in the church world I knew wanted to hear it.

So I created a space, and discovered there are lots of women carrying around the same wounds and the same testimony as me.

You are my people. I see you. I feel you.

And I believe there is so much more to you than being obedient, “good,” and small enough to make everyone around you comfortable.

Because of my story, I’m passionate about helping introverted, Christian women cultivate grace-shaped identity, mindful self-care, and purposeful work.

It’s time to silence the shame-shaped narrative and rise into unshakable confidence.

What Grace Has Given Me

I’ve walked through darkness called “faith,” and found light and freedom on the other side—emotional steadiness, purposeful work, and grace-led motherhood.

I don’t have all the answers, but I have stories. I believe in holding space for women who are growing through what they were never allowed to question.

If that sounds like you, you’re welcome here. I’d love to share more of this journey with you through my weekly letters.

Let’s run toward the light together.

-Kristy 💐

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