Hi there, friend! I’m so glad you’re here. Truly, it means the world to me that you’re ready to take steps toward strengthening your relationship with Jesus and placing your full trust in Him. I believe with all my heart that through Jesus, you can find the healing and peace your soul is longing for.

I’ll never forget the day a dear pastor shared a truth that changed my life: “We meet others’ brokenness with our own brokenness, when really, we should be meeting their brokenness with a loving invitation that brings them to Jesus so He can heal them.”

Those words gave me a new purpose. Through Grace In The Ashes, my mission is to be a light to the nations by sharing my testimony. I want others to know that true peace and healing can only come through Christ. He will meet you right where you are, no matter how broken you feel. If you bring your burdens to Him, He will not only restore your heart but change your life in ways you never dreamed possible.

Now, that you know my purpose and focus for Grace In The Ashes. Let me introduce myself so you’re not just chatting with a stranger. My name is Merrawyn, and I live in a small farming town of about 3,000 people. Even though I grew up in the city, my heart has always been drawn to the simplicity and slower pace of small-town life. For me, I find God so much easier in the quiet moments of life.

But let me be real and honest with you: my desire for a simple life hasn’t always matched my experiences. For many years, I was stuck in an abusive marriage that crushed my sense of self-worth and magnified childhood insecurities and pain. After pleading with God for guidance and facing moments where I genuinely feared for my life, I was prompted to leave the marriage and begin divorce proceedings.

Leaving an abusive marriage is absolutely terrifying. While you may be physically out of harm’s way, an abuser often does everything they can to discredit you so no one believes the abuse happened and never hesitates to destroy your reputation or start a smear campaign. Being abused feels like living with an invisible disability—a wound no one can see or truly understand—while society still expects you to function as though nothing happened and you're completely fine. Surviving an abusive relationship and rebuilding your life afterward is a difficult and painful journey.

In the midst of this chaos, I felt completely lost and alone. It was during this time that I began to cry out to God in desperation, seeking comfort and clarity. I wanted to understand how I could move forward and rebuild my life. That’s when something incredible happened: I found a magnificent friend in Jesus. He met me in my brokenness, held me close, and began to heal the wounds no one else could see. His love has brought me peace and restoration in ways I never thought possible, and He continues to heal and bless me to this day.

I promise this can be your experience too. Jesus is ready and waiting to meet you exactly where you are. No matter the abuse or shame you’ve faced, He is willing to bring healing, joy, and restoration into your life. You are a beloved child of the King, with a Savior who longs to heal your heart. So, let’s walk this journey toward healing and grace together, because Jesus created us for community!