from the editor

No one wants to have their heart crushed. But being wounded in deep places happens. Sometimes it just seems to be part of the rhythm of life. When these hard times come, we feel it all so very deeply. And we wonder if others have these hard, hard moments. After all, we don’t snap pictures of the crushing times and post them on Instagram.

We just wonder if we have what it takes to survive … … when the doctor calls and says he needs to talk to me in person about the test results.

… when the teacher sends one of “those” emails about my child.

… when I feel so utterly incapable and unable and afraid.

I know I am not alone in these thoughts

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)

Amidst all the turmoil and chaos leading up to and creating this issue, something happened that reminded me of the absolute grace & forgiveness I have been given and continue to receive.

See “Grace” means undeserved, unmerited, and unearned favor.

And for most of my life, I have felt undeserved of any blessings that have been bestowed upon me. But God has absolutely poured out an abundance of His Grace in my life during this issue, in the connections he’s created for me and people he has placed in my life, reassuring me He is there.

Last year my business partner, Greta, the former publisher of Hushh, decided to retire from the business (see her farewell article in Hushh Summer 2023), making me take a step back to really think about what I wanted my future as well as the future of Grace Marketing and its publications to look like.

Shortly after taking this step, I had a diagnosis that was a medical anomaly. I ended up having a fibroid on my uterus, weighing over 25 pounds, and measuring 15” x14” x 12.5”, causing them to have to perform a partial hysterectomy.

The surgery, believe it or not, was not the scary part!

The scary part was the fact that I am a work-a-holic control freak and how in the world was I going to ever allow myself to relax and heal? Thankfully my staff, friends and family stepped up to help me through my recovery and it allowed me the time to really concentrate on the future of Hushh. The downside is that this issue is a little late to arrive but I promise it was well worth it!

I didn’t want to just rush and throw something out. I wanted the first issue of Hushh to begin to reflect my vision for its future. A vision of sharing people’s stories that inspire you; creatively, personally, professionally, or emotionally. I want to uplift women and men- to encourage them to take those scary steps, to persevere through the crushing times, to embrace what the future holds.

He reminded me I am not alone and I want you to know you are not alone either. That the crushing times are necessary. That the crushing times are processing times. Even though stepping back can be hard, or seem like it’s slowing down the race to the finish line, He has a plan, and His plan is greater than anything we could ever imagine.

So I ask you to take a step back, take note of your dreams, your passions, be honest with yourself and pinpoint the things holding you back or needing adjustment and just take that step of faith to move forward, to grow and blossom into who you are meant to be!

Photo by Saray Taylor-Roman

Read her story starting on page 18