Grace in the Middle: Teri Houghton on Divorce, Motherhood, and Building a Life of Resilient Faith

Teri Houghton’s story is one of quiet strength and steady faithfulness. An accountant by training, ballet teacher by passion, and mother of five—two biological and three adopted—Teri once envisioned a life that would follow a predictable arc. After a 20-year marriage, that vision shifted dramatically when her husband chose a different path, and she found herself navigating divorce as a single mother with children ranging from teens to elementary school. Divorce brought grief that felt like death—the loss of shared dreams, memories, and a future once assumed. Teri describes the early days not as a collapse of faith, but as a clinging to Jesus for survival. The trust she had known became a daily dependence. Who was she now? How would she support her family? What parts of herself had been buried beneath years of motherhood, medical appointments, activities, and responsibility? Instead of shrinking back, Teri leaned in. She returned to accounting work, said yes to opportunities she didn’t fully understand, and trusted her ability to learn. Slowly, a new chapter unfolded—one built on operations, systems, and helping female entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses with intention rather than overwhelm. What began as necessity became calling. At home, healing required equal courage. Teri openly shares how divorce is a grief the world often underestimates. It is not only the death of a marriage but the reshaping of identity and family structure. There were seasons of unhealthy coping, particularly in leaning too heavily on her oldest child during the transition. But as she grew healthier, so did her children. One of her highest values became peaceful co-parenting. Not because it was easy—but because it mattered. Choosing kindness, even when pain lingered, became a spiritual discipline. She reframed her vision of what life “should” have looked like and embraced what God was shaping instead. The relationship with her ex-husband evolved into something different: not a marriage, but a shared commitment to raising children in stability and love. Teri speaks candidly about adoption adding another layer of complexity. For adopted children, divorce can feel like a second loss layered over an earlier one. Yet even in that complexity, she sees resilience forming in her children—and in herself. Professionally, Teri now works primarily with female entrepreneurs, particularly coaches and creatives. While her work centers on systems and operations, she recognizes that ministry often unfolds in those spaces. Conversations about business frequently open doors for deeper conversations about identity, transition, divorce, and faith. God, she reflects, rarely separates vocation from calling. The ministry is often right in front of us. As her children grow and begin leaving home, Teri is also navigating another transition: rediscovering herself outside of constant caregiving. She speaks to the importance of carving out ten intentional minutes a day—not for trendy self-care, but for honest reflection. Who are you, beyond what everyone needs from you? Because eventually, she says, you will return to yourself. Her encouragement to women walking through divorce or transition is simple but profound: resilience is built by leaning into God daily. You already carry what you need because He placed it inside you. The story is not over, even when the chapter closes differently than you expected. Teri’s life is a reminder that structure and soul can coexist. That grief can birth clarity. And that love—quiet, steady, faithful love—is still the strongest legacy we leave our children. How to Connect With the Guest Connection details were not mentioned in this episode. Please check the show notes or Wendy Melrose’s social platforms for updates. If you’re carrying a story or testimony and sense a quiet stirring to do something more with it, but you’re unsure what that next step should be, I’ve created a resource to help you discern that.The Story Discernment Guide is a reflective guide designed to help you pause, pray, and gain clarity around the story you’re stewarding — before you write, publish, or share it publicly.You can explore the Story Discernment Guide at storycalling.info.Your story is not an accident.You are healed.You are whole.You are called — and stewarding your story well matters.