Heather is married to Raul Palacios and together they are raising two arrows, DJ and Andy. Raul and Heather serve at Church by the Gales in Coral Springs, Florida, where Raul is the executive pastor and Heather serves on the createive team. Heather is also founder of “WondHerful,” an online venue dedicated to giving encouragement and laughter to people, especially those who have mental illness or have loved ones who do. Her favorite mantra is the one she wakes up and tells herself everyday, “It is always too soon to give up!”
FIRST FLOOR OF THE PSYCH WARD
By: Heather Palacios, WondHerful On July 28, 2000, I was locked up in a psych ward. The state of Florida mandated I be stripped of everything. Well, except for my socks, they let me keep those. But they took my personal belongings, my husband, my driver’s license (my literal identity).
And the empty “cell” I was locked in, took away my dignity.
People can take a lot of things from us, but nobody can take God from you. Your heart is God’s home. He fiercely protects it. And if He’s in your heart? You have everything you need.
As I laid on the bed in my cell, the enemy called me a lot of things, but God called louder. He called me significant, wonderfully-made and His chosen kid ( Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1).
To God, I was still somebody, He wasn’t finished with me and He was choosing to preserve my life. And right now, if you have a pulse, He’s still choosing to preserve yours.
On the darkest day of your life, with Jesus in your heart, you are still in the game! He’s not finished with you. As a matter fact, you and Him might just be getting started.
I hope this encourages someone today.