A Letter to My Sisters: Reflecting on God’s Promises

By Dr. Veronica L. Hardy

From her years of clinical social work and as a woman, author Dr. Veronica L. Hardy has both observed and experienced hurt, manipulation, and overcoming. The power of overcoming lies in knowing God and being aware of your thoughts and how those thoughts translate into behaviors.

In A Letter to My Sisters, she has created a work designed to encourage others through story, spirituality, and reflection. It highlights the challenges experienced by women including intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, friendship conflicts, and self-image. Dr. Hardy uses the story of Tamar from the New King James Version of the Bible as the base. Tamar, the daughter of King David, experienced rape, which, in turn, impacted her identity. She carried the weight of this act on her shoulders but was able to confide in someone close to her.

Giving voice to the many experiences of women, A Letter to My Sisters offers a tool to show you how to recognize thought patterns, the effects of those patterns, and how to replace those patterns with spiritually nourishing ones. Nine scriptures and nine stories help meet you where you are in your identity, allowing you to find inspiration and power.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781973650621

Dr. Veronica L. Hardy

Veronica L. Hardy earned a PhD in counselor education and supervision and a master’s degree in social work. She is a licensed clinical social worker, university-level educator, public speaker, and writer. She believes in the power of story to reveal and confront challenges experienced by those across society. Visit Dr. Hardy online at www.drveronicahardy.com.

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Copyright © 2019 Dr. Veronica L. Hardy.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-5061-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-5062-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019900229

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/11/2019

To every person who realizes the importance of story and personal reflection. Remember, there is power in your unique story to help inspire, strengthen, and encourage others. Keep moving forward, reflect on God’s promises, and live your life beautifully.

Contents

Introduction: Tamar’s Story

After this Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

—2 Samuel 13:1

1.     Velaha’s Story

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

—Hebrews 13:5b

2.     Lydia’s Story

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

—Psalm 139:14

3.     Abigail’s Story

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

—1 Timothy 4:12

4.     Cecily’s Story

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

—Ephesians 4:23–24

5.     Sina’s Story

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

—Proverbs 4:23

6.     Andrea’s Story

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

—Ephesians 6:11

7.     Anya’s Story

Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

—1 Peter 3:4

8.     Taylor’s Story

And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

—John 17:5

9.     Emily’s Story

But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.

—Luke 21:13

Closing Reflections

Be still and know that I am God.

—Psalm 46:10a

A

cknowledgments

I remember when I was in elementary school, a lady would come to our class every month to read us a chapter from a book called Blubber. She would sit on a chair, and we would gather all around her on the