Michele Cushatt's Blog, page 5

Finding Your Way Out When Despair Takes You Down

My heart sank like a rock when I read the news. Another suicide. Another young life lost to despair.

There was a time, not all that long ago, when I responded stories of suicide with a distant, judging indifference. How could someone do that? How could someone actually end their life?

I didn’t understand it, couldn’t make sense of it. “It’s selfish,” a close friend once remarked. And although his words sounded harsh, I tended to agree. Suicide appeared to be a self-driven decision, made complet...

Searching For God’s Presence

There was a time I didn’t doubt God’s presence.

When parents and Sunday school teachers told me God was real and good, I believed it. No question. After all, I could see evidences of Him everywhere, in the sweeping branches of the willow tree in the front yard and the colors of my mother’s flowers. Where could such beauty come from if not from God himself?

But that was before. Before pain blinded me to God’s presence and turned my world dark. Before unrelenting suffering left me feeling utterly...

TODAY IS THE DAY! Join the Relentless Book Launch Team

“This is your best book yet.”

He said those six words with far more confidence than I felt. I wasn’t sure I believed him. Moments later, we’d record what would be the first of the podcasts and radio interviews I’d conduct for this new book, the one he’d already read.

For weeks I’d been in knots about this new book, knowing I shared more of my faith struggle within these hard-earned pages than I ever had before. In fact, the first few pages alone would be hard for some to swallow. They revealed...

My 2019 Book List {Part 1}

If you’ve known me for any length of time, you know I’m a voracious book reader. I read every day. Every one. Without fail. It’s my Netflix, my favorite snack, my guilty pleasure. Typically it’s the first thing I do when I wake up and the last thing I do before going to bed. And, during a lunch break, you’ll usually find my on my deck or in my favorite chair with a book in hand. Outside of my faith and primary relationships, I’ve been largely shaped by the books I’ve read.

Since I’m often aske...

[NEW VIDEO] Some Rock Solid Truth To Stand On

The message showed up in my inbox in the middle of an ordinary Friday. One of hundreds that made it my way that week. Although I’m sure I miss a few here and there, I read every message I receive, over email, website, Facebook, instagram. Each word matters to me, the people behind them even more so. I know those who find the courage to write are only a fraction of those who struggle to hang on to their faith in the middle of real life. Which is why making space for their stories matters to me...

When Real Life Demands Real Courage

At least eight years ago, in a rare moment of courage, I made a list. I still carry it around in my purse, a three-by-five index card, hot pink, frayed around the edges, with a few simple lines of text under an audacious heading:

“Impossible Goals.”

Underneath, I wrote down my professional dreams, a list of five goals my heart wanted to accomplish but my brain assumed sat out of reach. Goals like securing a multi-book contract with a publishing company, being booked to speak at a major conferen...

When You’ve Lost Your Footing

Two months ago, I shut down my blog. I logged out of my Facebook page, Instagram account, and Twitter feed. And I set up and out-of-office reply to my email inbox. Other than grocery shopping and keeping up with the news, I walked away from the Internet for 60 days.

I loved every moment.

I’m not opposed to the Internet or social media. I wouldn’t be writing this post if I was. In fact, I could craft a very long list of the many ways technology has enhanced my life, starting with the reality of...

A Return to Rest

I can always tell when it’s time to retreat and rest. The signs are all too obvious: Impatience. Irritation. Easy offense and tears. I am not my best self when this happens. My emotional health is compromised, and I know it. Not to mention most everyone else knows it, too.

It all started in 2016. It was one year after my third round of cancer. And although I’d come a long way in my recovery, my mind and body felt fragile, sluggish, battered. I dove back into work and life quickly after cancer,...

What To Do When Criticism Cuts Deep

I’m accustomed to a fair amount of criticism. As an author and a speaker on a variety of platforms, it comes with the territory. My story, message, and style isn’t for everyone. I get it. Truth is I’ve received far more positive feedback than negative. So the rare criticism I do receive doesn’t usually phase me.

Until I read this book review a few weeks ago:

“The author seems more concerned about convincing the audience of her spirituality with fragmented descriptions of multiple mission trips...

Faith and Doubt: When You Don’t Know What to Believe Anymore

I was over 2,500 miles away delivering a presentation when my cell phone blew up with emergency text messages:

All Schools: LOCKOUT (Secure Perimeter) due to law enforcement activity in the area. Learning and activities indoors. More info to come.

At this time district has placed all schools on a lockout and we are not allowed to let anyone in the building or release any students at this time. All students are safe inside the building.

While my brain tried to register this reality, a room full o...