Hannah Hales
Author of
"As I read, I felt almost jealous of the deep relationship that Hannah has developed with God. She conveys an intimacy and connection that comes as a result of having to depend on Him in every situation, every day of her life - an intimacy that most desire but often aren't willing to pursue." Lynne M., Christchurch, NZ
Raised in an exclusive religious sect, all aspects of my early development and daily life were influenced by its faulty belief system. Indistinct and denigrating teaching about my gender, my abilities and my worth in relationship to mankind and to God dominated my perception of who I was. The gradual but powerful psychological effect of the environment penetrated so deeply that I was unaware how I was actually adhering to those beliefs, while all the time inwardly wrestling against them because of their error. By the time I was a teenager, I didn't know where the thinking of the sect ended and where the real me began.
As I grew toward adulthood my family renounced involvement with the sect but the ingrained childhood teachings followed me. Trying to escape deep-seated constraints that bound me, I was ill equipped to tackle an outside world foreign to my experience. I made life choices that only served to entrap me further. I was continually drawn to God but seemed unable to find Him. Looking for an anchor yet living with inner turmoil, I entered into a relationship equally dysfunctional to the ones I was still running from. Ongoing experiences continued to choke me until I could only see ruin within and around me. Hopeless, I planned my own death in an attempt to stop the agony.
God had another plan for me! His miraculous intervention as I drove to a chosen location to end my life prevented me from succeeding. Somehow, and to this day I do not know how, I ended up at a church instead of at the bottom of a cliff. Slowly, step-by-step over following months, I discovered God as the only source I could run to, to make any sense in this maddening world. He was the very God I longed for yet resisted because of the wrong teaching I had received. My perceptions of Him were so distorted, so vastly different to what I now learned as He personally led me, softly and tenderly, with the Father's Heart of Love, into His reality.
God promised to renew my mind. Beginning with unconditional Love, Father placed around me precious people who could bear my brokenness and self-protective habit of pushing others away whenever they came too close. Over time, His tenderness broke through my walls and I began to realize His gift of unconditional acceptance. First, I began to accept myself, then I allowed others to accept me, and ultimately, I welcomed His wonderful approval of my life. Healing was underway!
Gradually my outward behavior changed in response to my inner spirit receiving His nourishment and nurture. I let go of all pretense and surrendered to Him. This was not a surrender to another religious or humanistic system or philosophy but the total surrender of my spirit to the Being who created me and who holds the blueprint of my life. It is absolute dependence - as a child to a parent - for sustenance, guidance, wisdom, love and intimate connection. It is daily submission that brings purpose, fulfillment, hope, joy and the peace that every spirit yearns for.
I am no one special in the world, or in the ranks of the Church for that matter. I'm not rich or particularly noticeable, not a great public speaker, and will never be one of the famous beautiful people. However, I am a daughter, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a friend, a confidant to some, and I believe that many people can relate to my story. First and foremost, I am a child of the Living God, a princess in His Kingdom, and I love my Daddy to pieces. His Love has held me through all the struggle and heartache, through times of immense joy and deepest despair. Let Him love you - this is the relationship that He wants with you, too!
Hannah
For inquiries or to order a copy of this book, contact Hannah for details
US$18.50; AUS$ 19.95
Produced by Castle Publishing Services: info@castlepublishing.co.nz
