Lessons from a Garden: A Call to Face Your Brokenness Stories and Reflection Questions About Life

By Tami D. Johns

Have you ever been through an experience, so painful, that you just wanted to bury it and pretend it never happened?

Has your past kept you from thriving because you carry it like luggage?

Read these life stories and see how one woman decided to transform her life instead of being destroyed by painful circumstances.

Those who know Ms. Johns describe her as a very spiritual and empathic person. Having experienced the pain of sexual abuse as a child, bullying, alienation from her Christian upbringing because of her sexual orientation, depression, and the loss of love, career and finances, Johns is no stranger to life’s mountains and valleys. She openly shares her journey of self-discovery (lessons) in hopes that it will encourage readers to do likewise. It is her belief that by so doing the pain becomes less dark, less heavy, and less debilitating. That, “regardless of what life brings your way, when you share your stories, you will know that you are not alone.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Dec 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483422237

Book preview

LESSONS

FROM A GARDEN

A Call to Face your Brokenness

Stories and Reflection Questions About Life

TAMI D. JOHNS

Copyright © 2014 Tami D. Johns.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-2222-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-2223-7 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 12/12/2014

Contents

Note from the Author

This book is dedicated to

Acknowledgements

About the Book

Why I Wrote This Book

Prologue

Wildflowers

- spring up, develop into maturity, create diversity

Experiences that create diverse relationships for variety and help us mature. Stories are about boundaries, being good enough as a parent, and facing fear.

•   A Lesson at the Beach

•   Mama is Okay

•   Life as a Roller Coaster Ride

Rosebushes

- to turn, break up, cut into, prune

Experiences that are painful and often seem to break us; yet tend to prepare us for greater things. Stories are about abandonment, sexual abuse, and perseverance.

•   Learning How to Swim in A Wave Pool

•   Lightning Bugs

•   The Top Was My Mt. Everest

Trees

- create foundation, scatter for growth

Experiences that ground us, shape who we are; things deeply embedded into our nature, rooting us to strong belief systems and values. Stories are about teaching values to a young child, growth after the death of a parent, and a young child being bullied.

•   The Revolution

•   Lost and Found

•   Bullies

Rocks

- barriers or stepping stones

Experiences that make us stumble but stop us in critical moments in life where we make decisions that keep us on or take us off the path. Stories are about a lesbian relationship break-up, overcoming difficult phases of life, and depression as a result of feeling rejected.

•   Shared Moments Broken

•   Yea, Thou I Walk Through The Valley

•   A Call Betrayed

My Lessons from the Garden

Epilogue

About the Author

Note from the Author

Lessons from a Garden is a collection of stories about abuse, abandonment, rejection, not feeling good enough, depression, and relationships. They are written from the perspective of a person who has suffered tremendous loss both personally and professionally. They are my stories. Although they come from a painful place, I stand unashamed because, through hard work and support, I have moved from victim to victor.

Communities can be a transforming presence in changing the world in which we live so that no person feels as if they are on this journey alone. We are not meant to be alone. Today, I share my stories in hope that, together, we will build communities of openness and trust where we can share our thoughts and feelings with one another and not feel isolated.

The stories I’ve written are meant to draw you in, capture your heart and mind, and inspire you to reflect. They are an invitation to face whatever has you broken so that you can grow to become your authentic self and find more joy in your life.

I believe that when we share our painful stories, they lose their sting. I believe that sharing promotes healing and brings us forward into the new life we deserve. I’ve written Lessons from a Garden to be read on your own, used as a workbook, or as part of a discussion group or book club. Most of all, I want you to learn from it and go on to share your stories.

Tami D. Johns

Note: These are my stories. However, I have changed some names and places to protect those who are still living.

This book is dedicated to:

To my nieces and nephews:

Autumn Evans – May she always have sunshine in her garden to bring her joy.

Brittany Evans – May all her dreams come true, she deserves every bit of it.

William (Drew) Johns II– May he always know his inner strength and courage.

Baby Smith – May you have joy and peace from your first breath (you won’t be here for another couple of months, yet Aunt T. is thinking of you).

My sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Thomas Evans and my brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Terri Johns – for being a part of this journey.

Cheryl Johnson who always believed in me and offered words of encouragement along the way.

The memory of:

Allene and Joe Johns, my parents;

Aunt Ruth and Uncle Evans North;

Evelyn and Nate Lewis

Others who were placed on my path:

My mentors and guides:

Sidney Bonvallet, Dorothy Grant, Arvesta Groves, Daisy Payne, and Shirley Spruill.

Gone, yet not forgotten - Beverly Ellsworth, Gladys Hughley Robertson.

My Spirit Circles in Michigan, Ohio and Maryland.

Acknowledgements

The content for this book has been in the works for a lifetime. The idea of writing this book has been on my mind for years, yet it is only been in the last year that I have been in the place to write it. My life in Grand Rapids, while not planned, has been a transforming journey for me. It is in Grand Rapids where I have uncovered my authentic self, expressed it and been received with love. I have met many people that have made this book come to fruition at this time. I would like to acknowledge:

Dr. Lori Reineke and Sheri Rodriguez who both helped me work through my challenges on the journey in a therapeutic way and to see a better me.

My Grand Rapids Spirit Circle, who were my sisters in the garden – Shaquanda Gordon, Rachelle Gay Hudson, Kay Judson, Lisa Kertcheval, Kathy Pyatt, Rev. Sue Petro, and Rev. Susan Sparta.

The Genesis United Methodist Church community, who loved me, embraced me, and allowed me to explore my gifts (especially the Writing as a Spiritual Discipline and Spiritual Connections