FGC #86: Loved As I Am with "One Groovy Nun", Sr. Miriam James Heidland

  Have you ever thought...."God could never love me"?  "I've done so many things that make me unworthy of His love." "His love is meant for others, but not for me."  These are LIES based deeply in shame and brokenness, and rooted in distortions that develop as a consequence of sins committed against us for which we bear no responsibility, as well as sins that we commit by our own choices.  We do not trust that God loves us unfathomably, unconditionally, and more intimately than we can imagine. God Our Father wants you and I to know we are deeply loved, right here, right now. Sr. Miriam James Heidland, author of "Loved As I Am" knows intensely what it feels like to believe the lie that she could never be worthy of the Father's love. Sr. Miriam shares so intimately with us the chronicles of her life - a story still unfolding, yet so full of hope.  From the wounds she experienced from the very beginnings of her life, to childhood and adolescent sexual trauma, to alcoholism, perfectionism, promiscuity, Sr. Miriam helps us today to connect the dots of how she was able to open to Christ to receive His redemption and freedom through the intercession of her mother, and the gift of a holy priest who became her spiritual father. Sr. Miriam bears witness that her journey has been (and still is at times) long and quite painful.  However, she wants us to know that it's so worth it, and points us today to the pathway of healing.  Her story and her testimony offer tremendous hope for us all to discover our beauty, our dignity, and our authentic identity as beloved daughters of the Most High God. Here are important questions for each one of us to ask ourselves:   Do I really want healing, or will I continue to seek momentary comfort in a particular area of my life? Do I fearfully cling to my "security blanket" that only masks my deeper pain-my anger, my shame, substances, promiscuity, victimhood.... OR.....am I ready (with courage, faith, and grace) to open, to know, and receive the very birthright of my identity as a beloved daughter of the Most High God?  To be "Loved as I am"?   Listen in today to Sr. Miriam as she helps us ponder further upon these questions. QUOTES: "The one who has hope, lives differently"  Pope Benedict XVI "Every time you tell your truth, you let in a little of God's light and healing."  (Sr. Miriam's therapist) "To reach it, it is not enough to stop at the surface of human actions.  It is necessary to penetrate inside". (St. John Paul II, TOB 4:1) RESOURCES:  Sr. Miriam on Twitter:  @onegroovynun Sr. Miriam's Blog Loved As I Am - Sr. Miriam James Heidland Unbound/Heart of the Father: Neal Lozano Chronicles of Narnia - Story of Eustis Jason Evert LISTEN TO THE SHOW: Continue reading Episode 7: Loved As I Am-with "One Groovy Nun", Sr. Miriam James Heidland at StaciGulino.com