Thanksgiving used to be a difficult holiday for me after betrayal. Gratitude felt complicated. I could list the blessings in my life, but beneath the surface there was grief, confusion, and a deep ache for what I had lost. I wondered how I could offer thanks when my story felt so broken.
And yet, as the years unfolded, God began revealing something I never expected: even in the ruins, He was quietly growing small good things—things I might have missed had my heart not been cracked open.
Small Good Things God Grew After My Betrayal
One of the first gifts He brought into my life was deep, soul-rooted friendships. The kind forged through late-night tears, shared prayers, and honest conversations. Friends who didn’t flinch at my story. Women who held my heart tenderly and reminded me of truth when I couldn’t see it myself. These friendships became a lifeline—evidence that God still surrounds us with His goodness through His people (Proverbs 17:17).
Another unexpected blessing was a stronger, more intimate relationship with God. When betrayal stripped away the illusions I had leaned on, I found myself clinging to Him in ways I never had before. I discovered that He doesn’t shy away from my pain. Instead, He meets me in it. Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” That verse became alive to me—proof that God isn’t just near; He is sustaining.
And perhaps one of the most surprising gifts was the empowerment to stand fully in who God made me to be. Betrayal has a way of shaking loose the parts of our identity built on others’ approval. In the aftermath, I began seeing my uniqueness not as something to hide but as something God intentionally crafted. The more I healed, the more I saw that I wasn’t meant to shrink—I was meant to shine (Ephesians 2:10).
This Thanksgiving, gratitude looks different for me. It’s not about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about seeing the small shoots of goodness God has grown in a place I thought would stay barren forever.
It probably sounds cliche, but I am so overwhelmed by the unexpected friendships God has lavished on me throughout this journey. And I do mean lavished – it’s like pure wealth: a treasure chest of multi-faceted, uniquely formed jewels, glistening throughout each part of my day – the hard parts, the mundane parts, the blessing parts, and the fun parts. I never thought I’d have fun again, and yet I think I laugh with my people now more than ever in my life. (And I laugh differently – there’s something deeply healing about laughter that can bloom in the soil of tears.) I never expected that, and I never expected to hold so many faces in my heart at once. I’ve said it many times – these are the friendships – the women – I’ve always wanted. I just didn’t know they were hidden in this part of my story. ~ Tami R.
It took years to realize that I never had anyone to trust or truly feel safe with – not my husband, parents, siblings or friends. As I moved through many of the groups here, I learned what real safety and trust look and feel like. My relationship with Jesus strengthened through many faithful examples found in the groups here. Trust and safety are found in each woman I encounter here. Beauty is in abundance here – even in the ashes. I am grateful for so many blessings bestowed upon me through the women of Hope Redefined. ~ Bobbie O.
It took years to realize that I never had anyone to trust or truly feel safe with – not my husband, parents, siblings or friends. As I moved through many of the groups here, I learned what real safety and trust look and feel like. My relationship with Jesus strengthened through many faithful examples found in the groups here. Trust and safety are found in each woman I encounter here. Beauty is in abundance here – even in the ashes. I am grateful for so many blessings bestowed upon me through the women of Hope Redefined. ~ Kristen K.