Sacred Story Podcast

In this episode of Unexpected Turns, our host Laura Wilcox speaks with Julie about beauty. Julie shares how, in her teen years, she thought her mother could use a few lessons on hairstyle and fashion. Julie competed in several beauty pageants, where she realized she would always find another woman whose beauty assets would outshine her own.As Julie grew older, she recognized that her mother's real beauty came from her kindness, gentleness, and faith in Christ. Her mother helped one neighbor on a daily basis and volunteered many hours at a crisis pregnancy center. But as her mother grew older, she faced a heartbreaking diagnosis: Alzheimer's. In a season of coming to terms with this loss, Julie found comfort for her mother and for herself in Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." As Julie's mom's disease progressed, she eventually lost her ability to speak. Often Julie played worship music while she sat with her mom, sensing the depth of her mom's conne

Host Laura speaks with guest Talida in this episode of Unexpected Turns. When Talida and her husband welcomed twin girls into their family, they looked forward to imparting both their faith and the rich culture of New York City. But an autism diagnosis for one of the girls interrupted their dreams. Talida tackled the challenge as a devoted, studious mother and shared notes on dealing with autism with extended family members. Then a close family member died by suicide with no advance warning, and Talida struggled with a hidden grief she didn't feel free to share with others. When her second daughter also faced developmental delays and was also diagnosed with autism, Talida emerged from a grief fog and sought help for her second daughter. Talida shares how the timing of these trials together caused and still at times causes negative emotions to spiral. As she and her husband have grieved together, they have sensed God's presence in the pain. Talida has focused on replacing God's truth with lies, such as blaming

In this episode of Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox speaks with guest Kate, who shares the personal devastation she experienced as her voice failed just as she graduated with a doctoral degree in vocal performance. Kate had come to faith in Christ as a teenager, and she found Jesus right beside her as she dealt with terrible anger and depression as a result of her failed dreams. Although God did not restore her singing voice for some time, He did lead her to other career opportunities in music, such as Orff Schulwerk programs with children.In time, Kate finally has come to a place where she can say, "Jesus, I love you if I never sing another note." She acknowledges that her ability to love God is only because of His great love for her. She shares her story hoping that other women will realize that no matter what changes may happen to their voices or their bodies, our lives are about God's plans, not our plans.Read Kate's story, The Hero of My Story, to find out more. What stories wait to be discovered in y

As we continue the series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox welcomes guest Gretchen, who recalls her move to a small town for her first job after college. As Gretchen struggled with loneliness and envy of her friends' lives in bigger cities, she also prayed God would help her unbelief (Mark 9:24). Unsure about what God was up to, she stepped out in faith to do what she did feel sure about: finding a church family, reaching out in friendship to other believers there and leading a women's Bible study. Her new friends from church were all married, and some had children. Believing God had prepared good works for her to walk in (Ephesians 2:10), she joined in the activities and struggles of these friends and found her flexibility as a single person gave her great opportunities to encourage others. In return, she enjoyed rich friendships. Read Gretchen's story, New Girl, Small Town, to find out more details of her story.What stories are waiting to be discovered in your women's group or ministry? Schedule a Sacred

In the ongoing series Unexpected Turns, Host Laura Wilcox welcomes guest Tanna, whose early search for validation from good grades and athletics led to her severe struggle with an eating disorder in her college years. As Tanna reflects on her time denying the stronghold of her eating disorder, she describes it as a "bony prison." A bony frame was all she had left after she isolated herself to avoid food.  As her parents brought up Tanna's low weight and eating habits, she denied any problems. Tanna only participated half-heartedly in initial appointments with therapy and nutrition counseling until her dad gave her an ultimatum. When she was forced to choose her eating disorder or her family, she understood she was at rock bottom. God led Tanna to a Christian eating disorder treatment center where healing could happen. Though she was surrounded by depression and heartache, her environment was drenched in hopeful Bible truths. Tanna began reading the Bible and learning more about who Jesus was. She saw that she

Host Laura Wilcox interviews Shiona for this episode of Unexpected Turns. Shiona comes to faith in Christ as a child, yet only her grandmother nurtures her young faith. Because of childhood sexual abuse, Shiona fights a battle against shame even after becoming part of a Christian community of believers in middle and high school. As a college student, Shiona's feelings of shame contribute to a season of sin until she confesses to her college pastor. Renewed by God's forgiveness and grace, she explores opportunities for ministry and soon discovers her love for the Japanese people.After serving in a year of ministry in Japan as an English teacher, Shiona marries and returns to Japan with her husband and daughter. She and her husband intend to spend their lives as missionaries in Japan, but another pregnancy triggers severe anxiety for Shiona, and she and her husband must return to the States for her mental health as well as the baby's birth. As Shiona further processes some of the pain from her past, she sees he

 Host Laura Wilcox interviews Kristi in this episode of Unexpected Turns. After many years as a public-school teacher, the pandemic forces Kristi to step back and notice all the changes that have happened during her teaching career. Kristi also shares how this time gave her pause to consider her views about the culture around her and to evaluate her faith. A running partner and friend who had always encouraged Kristi to consider Biblical faith in Jesus texts Kristi an invitation to join a Bible reading plan leading up to Christmas. Kristi and later her boyfriend begin to read the Bible and to watch online church services. As a result, God transforms their relationship, their lives and their careers.Read Kristi's story, "Pursuer of My Soul," at https://sacredstoryministries.org/pursuer-of-my-soul/.What amazing stories are waiting to be shared in your women's church community or small group? Schedule a Sacred Story Retreat and find out!

In the last episode of this series of Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox talks with Sarah, who became dangerously ill during a stopover visit in Barcelona, Spain, after spending a summer in Uganda. As she reflects on her experiences leading up to her illness in Barcelona, Sarah shares how originally her ministry with Invisible Children had taken her to Uganda years earlier. After this repeat visit to the country of Uganda, Sarah enjoyed the city of Barcelona while avoiding dealing with God about her deep sadness in leaving Uganda and her friend there---an avoidance pattern she associates with her Enneagram personality type.Sarah shares how a lifelong struggle against fear is confronted head on when she experiences a life-threatening illness in a city where she knows no one. Reflecting on her story, Sarah sees how God used details of her circumstances to show His mercy and love. Even though she had been avoiding him in Barcelona, she knew God never left her side during her days of illness and recovery. What a

Continuing the series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox talks with Diana, who recalls her decades-long marriage with Rick, a man who supported but did not share her faith in Christ. While Diana warns other young Christian women to marry a man who is already a believer, she also shares how God can redeem mistakes. After Diana's father died, she began thinking and praying more about her husband's need for Christ. As her prayers became desperate, she came to a point of asking God to do "whatever it takes" to bring Rick to Christ. When Rick became very ill with kidney disease a few months later, his spiritual interest began to grow, and after time and much more arduous prayer, Rick came to faith 18 months before his death. Diana still misses Rick but has never regretted The Most Dangerous Prayer (read Diana's story in our online library). In her ongoing journey with the Lord, Diana has pursued theological education in the last few years at Dallas Seminary. Find out more about Christian women surrendering their

Continuing the series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox welcomes guest Sandra, who shares about a struggle through a dark time in her life. Sandra came to faith as a child and had walked by faith many years when she first faced a crisis of faith because of her mother's death from cancer. Sandra was disappointed God had chosen not to heal her mother, yet Sandra chose to continue following God. A few years later, married and with two small children, Sandra received her own cancer diagnosis. Fearful of dying and leaving her children, she found refuge in God's Word. As she paged through Scripture, she saw over and over how God's people in many perilous situations chose to trust God and found Him faithful. Sandra faced her fears many times during a long and difficult recovery. She encourages listeners who suffer in frightening situations to bring their fears to God again and again, knowing He sees them, loves them, and will never leave them. Read more about Sandra's story in our online library. Connect with the

In the ongoing series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox talks with Suzan, a woman from Kenya who experienced a traumatic gang rape at the age of 16. Though Suzan had been raised in a Christian home, her sense of abandonment by God and the reactions of some family members to her trauma contributed to Suzan's years of wandering far away from God. In her 20s, Suzan moved to the US and found herself working in the Washington National Cathedral, where she sensed God's voice in the quiet beauty and liturgy surrounding her. Later, she lived in Atlanta and saw God's sovereign hand over her life when He intervened in a dangerous situation at work. For her safety, she moved to Houston to live with her sister and began attending Metro Bible Study with many believers her age. Suzan began to experience renewed hope. In the years that followed, she saw God changing her identity from a woman who felt unloved and damaged to a beloved, chosen and beautiful child of God. Read her story What Is My Real Name? in the Sacred Sto

Continuing the series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox welcomes Marissa, whose daughter Alice was diagnosed with cancer when she was four years old. Marissa shares how in the days surrounding Alice's initial symptoms and diagnosis, God kept leading her to read the book of Ephesians. Marissa found the very promises in Ephesians of God's deep and abiding love were exactly what she needed in those terrible days and months. Being a caregiver for a sick child was one of the many challenges of this dark valley in her life, and she writes honestly from that experience in her book, Who Cares for You?While Marissa shares about the pain of witnessing her daughter's illness and not knowing the final outcome, she also shares how God comforted her, her husband and her daughters through His Word and an incredibly supportive church family. Find out more about Marissa's story and how you can be encouraged by visiting her website, https://marissabondurant.com/.Every woman has a story of God's faithful presence through a di

As Sacred Story continues the series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox interviews Laurie, who talks about her crisis as a young Christian woman when she discovered she was pregnant. Not wanting to continue her relationship with the father of the baby, she felt desperate, alone and ashamed. Though initially thinking of ending the pregnancy, Laurie made the brave yet difficult decision to give up her baby for adoption. Join us for this remarkable episode celebrating God’s sovereignty and faithfulness through adoption. Laurie's story Surprise Pregnancy, Faithful God can be found in our online library. On this podcast, Laurie also mentions the resource BraveLove for pregnant women who are considering the choice of adoption for their babies. What are the stories of women in your community? Gather for a Sacred Story retreat to get to know each other better and learn to tell your stories. 

Kelsey shares with Laura about the hard places in her life as a young woman which caused her to lean on Jesus. She describes the fun story of meeting her husband Blake on Instagram and the ways they worked through a long distance relationship as they connected. She talks about how her spiritual life formed her views of God's design for sexual purity before marriage. Kelsey and Laura discuss the battles women face when pursuing purity and how to find the way back to obedience when a woman crosses boundaries. She also describes the qualities to look for in a godly man and the ways her relationship with Blake showed her God's care for her. Kelsey's full story can be found in the Bible study, Beautiful Surrender: Singleness & Marriage in the Book of Ruth. 

Nancy shares with Laura her story of pursuing fullness in the Lord as she walks through her single years much longer than expected. She shares about pivotal moments, painful break ups, feeling forgotten, adoption, and pressing into Jesus. Nancy married for the first time in her fifth decade and her story shows off God's faithfulness and intricate timing. Nancy's powerful story of meeting and marrying her husband Ben is published in Sacred Story's six-session study called Beautiful Surrender: Singleness & Marriage in the Book of Ruth. Nancy offers wise insight on engaging single women, pursuing sexual purity, and discerning when to move forward in a romantic relationship among other topics. 

Emily and Laura talk about expectations in the area of marriage from society. Emily describes her disrupted plans upon graduation from college, and how the Lord opened her hands to receive His dreams over her life. She shares about how wrestling through bitterness and feeling forgotten in her singleness led her to a greater knowledge of who God is. Her entire story can be read in the six-session Bible study called Beautiful Surrender: Singleness & Marriage in the book of Ruth. Laura and Emily process what it looks like to experience God's fullness and step into new perspective and roles no matter what season. Emily shares about battling comparison, living in community, and dating. 

Laura Wilcox and Kaitlyn Wurzbach, who serves on the board of Sacred Story, have a conversation about romance, singleness, and marriage in women's stories. Both share openly about their stories of bringing their longings to the Lord while trusting Him in unfulfilled desires and heartache. Laura and Kaitlyn co-authored a Bible study called Beautiful Surrender: Singleness & Marriage in the Book of Ruth. This six-session study focuses on the reward of surrender by digging deeper into the beautiful story of Ruth from the Old Testament.  Also included in Beautiful Surrender are 23 true stories from women about their journeys through singleness and dating, some who continue to walk out singleness and others who eventually married. This conversation is the kick off for a series of conversations with women about romance, singleness, and marriage.

Laura and Sofia share a conversation about Sofia's story of coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Sophia talks about the spiritual climate in the Ukraine and how she felt moved to serve God on college campuses. She describes what it was like to suddenly leave her home country of the Ukraine when war broke out, and how she served refugees in Poland. Sofia traveled to the United States where she is casting vision for her work so that she can receive funding for her ministry and the humanitarian needs in the Ukraine. To find our more information about her ministry and/or contribute financially, follow this link to her personal ministry site. Through Sofia's ongoing prayers and steps of faith, she is celebrated as a faithful laborer in the harvest. Read other stories of hope during tragedy in the Sacred Story library. 

Remembering God's greater story around the world provides perspective to our personal stories. Laura shares an insightful conversation with two special sisters in Christ. Hanin and Ann (not their real names) talk about their unlikely friendship since Ann is an American and Hanin is a woman from the Middle East. Yet God brought both women joy through the intersection of their stories. Because Hanin speaks Arabic, Ann translates for her while also sharing about her experiences in the Arab world. Hanin and Ann discuss with Laura how Hanin came to faith, how she met her husband, what it's like to be a refugee, how Hanin serves in the harvest, and what are  her prayer requests for her family and for their ministry.  Laura shares that a portion of the funds received from Sacred Story Retreats are donated to the Adopt A Refugee program, and she invites listeners to consider giving too. The Adopt A Refugee program is a way to help Muslim background believers who have come to faith in Christ and who are planting churc

Angela shares her experience of resisting writing her story of her childhood hurt and finding led to do so while participating in a Sacred Story Retreat. She talks about how God changed her perspective from fear to  courage in facing the pain of her mother's abandonment and the rejection of her Disney-esque stepmom. Angela shares her story of coming to faith in Christ, renewing her relationship with her mother, and overcoming wounds brought into adulthood. Angela describes how God gave her a new experience of a family in her own, and the healing she's received. Angela's story A Foreboding Closet can be found in the Sacred Story library. Angela  and Laura also enjoy remembering  how their connection began when Angela was a college student and Laura had just began serving in full-time ministry upon graduation from college.