I was blessed to recently share a part of my life story at a 365 Life Shifts book signing event. May my journey encourage your heart, and inspire you to say YES to the still, small voice inside. ❤️

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I’m Heather Taylor Wiest. And I am a miracle. A testament of God’s unrelenting love and grace–a chosen instrument (Jeremiah 1:5 AMPC). I am the youngest of five biological siblings, and the only one to live past infancy. Every breath of my life has a purpose. I am here today to share a part of my story with you.

My mother divorced my father when I was seven, and the years to follow were especially turbulent. Home life breathed constant chaos propelled by mental health issues, addiction, abusive relationships, and domestic violence. I’m sure some of you can relate. I recall attending eight different elementary schools before sixth grade!

However, through all of this I knew a Divine force was with me. God revealed Himself to me in the darkness. I witnessed visions and glimpses of light. I learned about Jesus—His unconditional love, saving grace, and mighty power. His character and teachings transformed my heart and gave me hope.

At the age of 12, I entered a new home in Phoenix with a door knocker similar to this–a symbol of new beginnings.

I began junior high, created close friendships, and established a unique life of my own. My mom and step-father tried to get their lives together, but the chaos continued. Two years later, upon returning from summer vacation with my biological father, I walked up to the door, and this time the door knocker had a white note taped to it with my name on it. It stated we did not live here anymore. This door had slammed shut.

My mom and step-dad reached the pinnacle in their domestic violence history while I was away. What was later determined self-defense, my mother had stabbed my step-father in the heart with a kitchen knife. He had been air transported to the hospital, near death, and my mother arrested and placed in jail for a week.

The next few months were a new season for mom and me. We rented an apartment, I began high school, and she attempted sobriety and employment as a single parent. Within a year, my mom hit rock bottom in her addiction and found herself in another abusive relationship. At the age of 15, with the support of my father and dear friends, I left home and began life as an independent teen. Tough love encouraged me to establish safer boundaries. I cautiously tapped another door knocker—one of release, hope, and opportunity. This space was free from substance abuse, instability, control, and violence. Emotions were openly expressed, and communication clear. I began the long journey to healing and wholeness.

God supernaturally strengthened and comforted me, speaking to me, KEEP ON KNOCKING, AND THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED TO YOU. The Divine gave me an undeniable purpose to help others as I pursued an education and career in social work. My life verse confirmed to me at age 18, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT)

I am continuing to learn to say YES to the still, small voice inside. Trusting the divine visions and glimpses of light. Embrace change with hope-filled anticipation, and I encourage YOU to say Y.E.S.—Yield, Experience, Shift to your heart and soul’s deepest longings. “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NLT) Not all doors open upon knocking, but those destined to unlock are certainly divine life shifters. ❤️

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Take Aways & Journaling Questions:

✯YOU are a miracle—a chosen instrument!

✯Every breath of your life has a purpose.

✯A Divine force is always with you.

✯Door knockers represent new beginnings, whether the door opens, or slams shut.

✯Say Y.E.S. to the still, small voice inside. Yield—Experience—Shift to your heart and soul’s deepest longings.

✯Keep on knocking and doors will open for you in Divine will and timing.

✯Who in your tribe opens or closes doors for you—physically or metaphorically?

✯Is there another door knocker to be tapped? 🙏🏻

Have you said thank you lately? by Amy K. Nichols

There’s someone you need to thank.

Some who believes in you.

Someone who listens to you.

Someone who puts up with you when you’re in your foulest mood.

Someone who doesn’t mind the little things. Someone who celebrates the big things.

Someone who opens doors for you, both physical and metaphorical.

Someone who gives you creative space. Someone who holds down the fort while you’re away.

Someone who inspires you. Someone who spurs you on to better and better.

Someone who believes in the impossible, too.

Maybe you’ve thanked this person before, but maybe it’s been a while since you’ve thanked them lately. Take a minute and thank them.

No, really. Take a minute and thank them. Yes, you’re busy and they’re busy and we’re all busy. But do it anyway. Don’t wait. You’ve waited long enough.

Tell them thank you. It’ll do both of you a world of good.

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“Life-changing gratitude does not fasten to a life unless nailed through with one very specific nail at a time.” ~Ann Voskamp

Let our thanks be LOVING, THOUGHTFUL, GENUINE, and SPECIFIC.

“Place everything you’ve ever learned or yet to discover in a box labeled THANK YOU. What would go in your box?” ~ Jennifer Pastiloff

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Dare To Be by Steve Maraboli

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.
Dare to be the best you can–
At all times, Dare To Be!

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A Gift of Light Meditation

Breath easily and deeply and bring yourself into a centered, peaceful place. Imagine a magnificent light above your head and ask that it come down into your heart. An endless supply of warm, beautiful and supportive light now fills your heart. You may see it as a fireplace with burning logs, a beautiful room with many candles, or a sphere of glowing light. Visualize tremendous vitality, beauty and warmth within you. You have an unending supply of this energy and light. Acknowledge its power, majesty and expansiveness. Fill yourself with this light; every cell, every bone, thought and emotion is saturated with this eternal energy. See it. Feel it. Let it fill you. It is love. It is peace. And it is joy. Take as long as you’d like swimming in this amazing luster. When you are ready, prepare to offer your gift of abundant light to your loved ones. Visualize and feel the light from above you connecting into your heart and to your hands. Open your palms softly and outwardly. Your hands may feel warm. Offer light to your loved ones. Visualize them clearly. Offer light from your heart to theirs. As the light from your heart pours through them, notice that light begins to come down into the top of their head from someplace else. You are creating a magnet for more light with your intention of giving. See them surrounded by you, surrounded by and filled with light and love. Their bodies are healthy, vibrant and beautiful. Their minds are expansive and calm. Peace flows through them offering them ease of heart. Wish them joy. Wish them good health. Wish them courage and abundance. Tell them whatever comes to you that is important to convey. Continue your blessings for them until you feel it is the right time to stop. Now release them gently. Leave them light-filled.

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“One grateful thought is a ray of sunshine. A hundred such thoughts paint a sunrise. A thousand will rival the glowing sky at noonday — for gratitude is light against the darkness.” ~ Richelle E. Goodrich

Remember to live out LOVE—an attitude of gratitude. Express your thanks. Give away love, encouragement, and acceptance. “So encourage each other and build each other up.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

Who are you going to encourage today?  💛