Ep 239 Our Hope in Jesus When We Don’t Understand with Amy Watson

Fellow podcaster, teacher and speaker, Amy Watson from Florida, joins me today on Welcome Heart: Living a Legacy Life to tell her story of trauma, healing and hope in Jesus. Although she lived with trauma from early childhood, it wasn't until age 35 when she "felt safe" that she began her healing journey. She began her podcast, Wednesdays with Watson, to share not only her story but to help in the healing of others. All contributions to her Patreon are donated to help those receive therapy who cannot afford to get it. 

Some gems from our conversation:

• When trauma victims finally begin to feel "safe" that's when they can start the long process of healing.
• Our mission on this earth is critical and the time is short.
• God promises we will have trials in this world and that He has overcome the world.
• When folks ask me who I am I like to say, "I'm a precious daughter of the Most High God."
• The church's role is not to provide band-aid's and Christian cliches'; rather it's to pay attention and open our homes, tables and lives to those around us.
• How can anyone attempt to navigate life on earth without the hope we have in Jesus?
• We need to pay attention to the people in our churches and neighborhoods—to help them feel seen, known and valued. 
• Because people knocked on my door, invited me in, and loved me like Jesus—that is the reason I am standing here today.

From Amy: 

I am a Florida girl who loves a simple life: Jesus, family, friends, football, and the beach (usually in that order). I am a native of Jacksonville, Florida, but have spent most of my adult life on Florida’s west coast.

While being introduced for a speaking opportunity a few years ago, the pastor asked me, “Who are you?”. The words that followed shocked even me: “I am the precious daughter of the most high God”. There were many years when I would not have answered that question as I did that day. I have spent most of my life defining myself by all that I have survived, all that I have accomplished, or all the degrees on my wall. The truth is, my answer to that pastor’s question that day is the definition that is most important, and one that I hope truly defines my life when I am gone. The rest: survival, accomplishments, and college degrees are certainly a part of my story and why I write, mentor, and speak. My description of “who I am” that day is why I stand proclaiming Him and Him alone.

I grew up in a children’s home, graduated from Clearwater Christian College with a degree in Biology (1994); was married for 12 years to a man who tried to kill me and somewhere along the way managed to earn my Masters Degree in Business Administration. I have enjoyed success as an entrepreneur as well as an educator. As a survivor of a lot of things that tried to kill me, it is my desire to use my story to spread a story of Hope for any who may find themselves in similar situations as mine.

I love both the written and spoken word and enjoy opportunities to share my experiences in both personal and professional genres. My greatest desire is to invest my life in something that will outlive it. It is my hope that all of my efforts here and in other places will accomplish just that.

 

To learn more from Amy follow all these places:

wednesdayswithwatson.com 

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/132618684688613

Instagram.com/authoramywatson

X: twitter.com/amywatsonauthor

 

If you're interested in hearing a more detailed story of her trauma, Amy recommends this recording:

https://wednesdayswithwatson.com/charting-the-course-of-healing-a-personal-odyssey-through-trauma-faith-and-redemption/

And to see how to contribute to her Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/amywatsonauthor