Journal — Melissa Bell | Writer, Speaker, Warrior for Women

I can't say that I am a fighter. I don't like violence. I have been in one physical fight. (When you stop laughing, keep reading.) I have a brother name Joey who is four years younger than me. He was getting picked on by a neighbor boy who was a year older than me. This went on for weeks and the boy came over one day and started pushing Joey around, and I just let the boy have it. I pulled his hair (it was during the mullet era) and punched him in the nose. I was only around 10 years old. I am by no means proud of that.

StoriesMelissa BellJuly 28, 2015community, family, fight club, Prayer Comment

Giveaway: Breaking Up with Perfect

It’s time for the Breaking Up with Perfect Giveaway! Before you write this one off under the presumption that it is not applicable to you, hear me out. I am a person that has never aimed for perfection, in fact I tend to do the exact opposite. Amy Carroll addresses this behavior” as the “never good enough” girl and boy does she hit the nail on the head! Yikes, did she have me in mind when she wrote this? No matter what side of the fence you fall on, the “good girl” or the “never good enough girl” you will love this book! I am confident that if I had read this book in my twenties it would have saved me from years of turmoil and strife and I am looking forward to having my teenage daughters read it.

World on a String?

With a gas can in one hand and a lit match in the other I left my hometown eight years ago and never looked back. For thirty three years I lived in the same county and there was a bad memory on every corner. I left in the wee hours of the morning and cried for the first 100 miles then I cranked up my radio and drove until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. I traveled alone on the road to a new start in North Carolina, just a shell of a person hanging on by a thread.

GeneralMelissa BellJuly 9, 2015fake christians, god, hope, journey, judgment, new start, spiritual Comment

The Perfect Life

This week, I have a guest blog post from author Amy Carroll that will give you a glimpse into what her new book is all about. I have to tell you I'm excited to continue my journey of Breaking up with Perfect!

GeneralMelissa BellJuly 2, 2015Amy Carroll, Breaking up with Perfect, Jeremiah 29:11, Moving, PerfectComment

Revenge: Give them What They Deserve

I was catching up with a friend recently when I asked her how her Mother’s Day was--the tears welling up in her eyes told me all I needed to know. To be honest, mine was not noteworthy either. My husband is usually very thoughtful and generous when it comes to holidays, but this year not so much. I could easily chalk it up to the stress of us moving to a new state, a new house, a new job, a new routine, but that doesn’t make it sting any less.

GeneralMelissa BellJune 17, 2015Father's Day, husband, revengeComment

The 21 Day Godly Wife Challenge: Are you in?

The “S” word. We’ve all heard it and most likely cringed at the mere thought of it. I once received a book on the “S” word--it took me years to forgive the person who gifted it to me. After all, we are independent women who have fought hard for equality--why on earth would we go backward? Well, what if I told you the “S” word could make your marriage dreamy and your sex life steamy? I, the skeptic, have seen first-hand how it can change your marriage!

GeneralMelissa BellJune 1, 2015community, god, marraige, offensive, submissive wife Comments

Michelle's Story: Searching for Peace Amid the Destruction

My story... those two words seem to spark an odd feeling in me. I struggle with my story daily. I grew up one of 4 children in an abusive home. I don't say abusive lightly, it was mental and physical and it was scary. But no one ever saw that.

StoriesMelissa BellMay 26, 2015abandonment, Abuse, church, church family, peace, struggle Comment

Confessions of a self-centered, judgmental hypocrite

We’ve all been "lucky" enough to encounter one...the girl who knows she has it all together. Not only does she have it all together, she's going to help you get yourself together. She has an endless supply of unwanted advice on dating, parenting, and life choices. If she isn't comfortable enough to share her knowledge with you, she will certainly have no qualms about sharing it with your circle of friends…snide remarks and dirty looks included.

GeneralMelissa BellMay 19, 2015discriminate, hypocrite, judgmental, self centeredComment

Mother's Day: Praying for Peace

Turns out, I am not alone. For many, this holiday is a day of pain.

GeneralMelissa BellMay 8, 2015adoption, celebrate, comfort, loss, mother's day, mourning, peaceComment

Julie's Story: Learning in the Losing

We lost our businesses, our house, and while this was happening, both of my parents were battling cancer. It was a time I will never forget. You don’t easily forget the nice, elderly man that had to come to your house multiple times to collect past due on the light bill.

StoriesMelissa BellMay 5, 2015depression, economy, faith, god, joy, losing Comments

My Journal

A peek behind the curtain, where you can read all the things swirling in my head and in my heart.

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