Piece by Piece | September 2026

September 16, 2026

Piece by Piece
September 2026

Dear Friends,

As you know, sending my only child off to college was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I know it’s the natural course of life. My heart simply wasn’t ready for it.

I also wasn’t ready for what I faced after he left. Before Samuel was born, I was pretty lost - for 13 years I was lost, unsure of my place in the world. Afraid to dream. Raising my son was a welcome purpose to my life. Now, he’s starting his own life with his own dreams and passions to follow.

The feeling of overwhelm has been slowly creeping back into my life. It feels all too familiar. Uncomfortably familiar. Having to face that question again in my life was—and still is—unsettling. All I know is I don’t want to spend another 13 years feeling lost and unsure. And, I certainly don’t want to squander the gifts and talents God has entrusted to me - I just need to figure out what those are.

I spoke to my mother-in-love about it. Shortly after, she sent me a text message saying she prayed for me and she pictured God mending my broken heart, piece by piece. I wept when I read her message because I know that I know that God is doing exactly that!

It brought to mind a song that has been on my heart lately. I adapted some of the lyrics to reflect where I am in my personal journey:

“Sometimes, the hardest truth is the one you gotta say to yourself
I've been running in circles, calling it growth but it's the same road I already know
Sayin' I'm done and I go back again
Holding on to something that keeps breaking me, and I can't blame nobody for the choices I make
I'd seen the signs clear, still I stayed
It's hard to admit it, but I gotta be real
I'm the one repeating what I'm trying to heal.
Piece by piece, God is healing me.
Facing truths I couldn't see
Not just love, I need clarity
I won't lose myself again so easily
Piece by piece, I'm letting go of the things I used to hold
Even if it hurts to grow
I'm choosing different now, I know.
Don't tell me I'm okay if I'm doing it wrong
I don't need soft words if it keeps me stuck long
Tell me where I'm slipping, show me what I miss
Help me see the pattern I keep calling bliss.
I don't need excuses, I don't need disguise
I need something real, even if it cuts deep inside
I've been here before, and I know how it ends. If I don't trust God, I'll be right back again.
Piece by piece, God is healing me
Learning what I need to see
No more hiding from the truth
No more running back to what breaks me.
Piece by piece, I'm going slow
Letting go of what I know
Even when it feels unknown, I won't keep hurting my own soul
Why I choose the same pain with a different face?
I don't need comfort, I need change
Even if it feels strange
Piece by piece, God’s healing me
Breaking every cycle I see
I'm not who I used to be and God’s finally setting me free
Piece by piece, I rise again
Stronger than I've ever been
Even if it takes some time
God’s rebuilding my whole life … piece by piece.”

Reflecting on these words reminds me that healing isn't immediate, but it is intentional. I’m ready to be used for God’s good purposes in my life.  Sharing out loud to keep myself accountable. God is so very good! "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10

With excited anticipation,
Rica

"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves"
Henry David Thoreau