As of September 17, 2015 Safe Under the Willow is available for purchase on Amazon both paperback and Kindle. Reviews are certainly welcome. Please note this is a self-published work. I am a woman who holds integrity at a high standard, therefore, the book is written to the best of my ability during that time period. I admit, there are blemishes however, no one is perfect just as Paul tells us, "we all fall short." I'd also encourage you to read The Note From the Author. It will explain so you can better understand. 

I'd like to share a few thoughts about the process of this grand adventure God has set aside for me. As I was writing, I spent countless nights battling the demons that lurked deep within my soul. I thought I had buried them deep enough to never reveal their ugly faces again; I was wrong. I traveled back to a time period as though I were watching movies of a broken spirited little girl. The emotions came creeping in as the darkness surrounded me. All of the hurt, shame, anger, and worthlessness permeated my entire being. The nights that I wrote were incredibly difficult to bear as I attempted to fight off demons that were too powerful for me. I sunk into a depressed state filled with anxiety and pain. It is because of the raw truth of my childhood the book captures that displays the power of God working in my life. Since the release, I have found peace and healing. God even restored the relationship between my father and grandmother! All glory to our Heavenly Father who works in the messiest of situations to bring goodness out of evil! 

Which brings me to another notation. Safe Under the Willow was written by the vision of which I had for my father and grandmother. God stepped in after the book release, took the pen from my hand, and said, "Now, let me show you how I wrote the story." I cannot offer enough thanks or praise to our Creator who knows far more than we can ever imagine! He weaves the tapestry of our lives in such unique ways which only makes me love Him that much more! 

So go check it out! You can even view the first chapter on Amazon. I pray for anyone who reads this book. You may not have experienced domestic abuse, but I will tell you this book will explain the life of one...just one...and there are many other stories out there.

May you feel the love of Christ upon you. 

It was a beautiful seventy-five degree sun-filled day in our small town of Pennsylvania. I heard the birds singing throughout our many trees as a small grey squirrel nibbled on an acorn to my right of our property line. I should have grabbed my camera to capture the wondrous sight God granted me. Instead, I took the brief walk under the willow. I felt safe here from the beast inside me that I have concealed from my family, mostly my husband, for the past twenty years. The meaning behind the weeping willow was sacred. Something that only I knew about, as many other things that I kept hidden from the world.

I ducked under the low branches that dangled in the breeze of our valley. I decided to keep the landscaping around my tree as the earth is. Grass and dirt with no flowers so that I can sit under the tree without the worry of stepping on vegetation or any other design I might have chosen.

As I sat down on the ground I felt the cool grass under my legs and fingertips. The grass was soft to touch as the blades ran through my fingers. The earth was so soothing to me in every aspect. Leaning against the jagged bark I felt myself relax for the first time in days. I have missed this old tree these past few days. It seems like life becomes a contest full of the hustle and bustle of business. However, I feel like the one who finishes first actually finishes last. If we don’t take a moment to realize what we have, then we have nothing in the end. Just a blur of memories and a heart filled with regret. 

Walking the familiar path to the sacred ground felt peaceful. My demons seemed to be afraid of the willow tree. It was as if they knew that the war between us was soon over. The trepidation of my loved ones discovering the truth has been set free. Now, it was a matter of finding the peace within me that I undoubtedly believed was there for the last twenty years. 
  

I began painting a canvas before them that was full of swoops and turns, revolving around to the center where a lonely young girl stood underneath her only safe haven; the old willow. That same judicious child was placed hidden in its branches, hiding from the hurt that shadowed over her very existence. Feeling like she will never be that perfect girl, exiled from society because she was different. 

I have had many people ask me why a willow tree... Do you see the elongated branches in the photo to the right? I've always imagined those delicate extensions of the body as tears from a wounded soul. What other tree offers such emotion using only it's limbs?

The weeping willow's branches extend downward cascading around it's trunk hiding anything that may be nestled at its core. It's protection from the outside elements to whomever may be seeking refuge. A tree of refuge... God's refuge. To me, a weeping willow is a symbol of our creator and all of his strength, love and protection. The weeping willow is my refuge just like it is to Jillian Davenport. That's why I chose the willow...

In SUW, Jillian struggles with the darkness hidden deep within her heart. She finds there's only one way to turn that darkness to light.

Stuck in a situation that you just don't know what to do? Proverbs tells us that if we seek His will- the path will be revealed. Jillian knew she had to reveal her childhood filled with abuse to her family. She resisted until she couldn't anymore and followed the lead of the Lord. And it wasn't until she surrendered that she was given the courage to start her next chapter. So, next time you find yourself in a situation that you're not sure- pray. And pray earnestly seeking His will and not your own. It's at that time the path will be lit and answers will be shown.