I love tending my flowers and watching them grow as they become plants of beauty. Even more so, I love seeing that transformation in my clients!
But my life hasn’t always been beautiful.
I know what it feels like to face a frightening future. I know the brokenness that comes from living with an abusive father, the upheaval of receiving a prognosis of terminal cancer, and the overwhelming feelings that come with divorce. I’ve faced the challenges of being a single mom and the desperation of juggling living expenses and mounting bills with diminishing financial resources.
Me during the time of the bone marrow transplant.
I know the courage, resilience and perseverance needed to begin anew after devastating loss.
I understand how struggling with overwhelming challenges can provide the perfect conditions for your growth – just like it does in my garden. But most importantly, I experienced the joy that comes when we encounter firsthand God’s ability to transform our lives and guide us to ones He fills with purpose and meaning.
Because of my story, I am passionate about helping people just like you find the strength to rebuild their lives after heartbreaking losses – such as divorce, illness, the death of a spouse or child, job loss, and so much more. Gaining the skills and support you need to move from reeling to resilient makes all the difference. While it once seemed impossible when you faced the ashes of your life, you’ll soon discover it’s possible to one day have a life of joy and purpose.
Almost thirty years ago, I was given a two percent chance to be alive in ten years after a recurrence of breast cancer.
My son, and only child, Kyle, was eight years old at the time so I had little hope of seeing him graduate from high school. As a young mom, I desperately wanted to live. Thankfully, an aggressive bone marrow transplant saved my life.
Kyle and me today
By God’s grace, I had the joy of seeing Kyle graduate from high school and college. When he was 30, I beamed as I danced with him at his wedding. This story was featured in the film Letters to God.
My Garden
Years ago, in a move that closely paralleled what was happening in my own life, I planted my garden after a drought destroyed what was once a lush green lawn in south central Pennsylvania.
At that time, I was a single mom and near invalid. I could not afford thousands of dollars to remove the dead sod and reseed my yard. Instead, I followed God’s quiet whisper in my heart.
Friends and neighbors helped me remove dead sod, rototill, and rake the soil to create my backyard garden. An unemployed neighbor dug the hole for a small pond and laid the rock. Others tucked in the transplanted perennials from my aunt’s and friends’ gardens. Over time, what was once my dead lawn became a beautiful sanctuary. As I watched this transformation of my backyard, the seeds of hope took root in my heart.
Today, Mourning Glory Gardens remains a living memorial of what God can do with the destruction in our lives. He takes every loss that hurts or makes us angry and turns it into something beautiful. But it usually doesn’t happen overnight.
Click here for more pictures of the garden: Wander
Using My Struggles for the Benefit of Others
Through my journey, I’ve experienced God’s presence, provision, and protection in countless ways. My first book, A Gift of Mourning Glories: Restoring Your Life after Loss, answers the big question that you and many people often struggle with after difficult loss: “I’ve survived, but now what?” It turns out the process of beginning anew is a skill you can learn, but few have been taught.
Think about that for a moment: Do you know anyone who truly has these skills? The understanding of how to grieve a loss, heal their pain, and transition to a new normal? Even as they begin taking the risks needed to begin anew?
While few of us seem to know innately how to start over, when you’re coached by someone who has traveled the journey, who knows the pitfalls to avoid and the strategies that work, you can avoid many of the struggles that others face after setbacks and heartbreak.
Now, I can gratefully say that through my coaching, writing and speaking, I have helped thousands of people ReBUILD lives after difficult loss. I’ve had the privilege of watching these men and women grow into the purpose God has given them in their new season of life.
Through my signature program, ReBUILD, I have watched Christian women who are separated and divorced beautifully begin anew. Each new ReBUILD group is a reminder that God has a purpose for us, no matter what dirt we’re planted in.
Helping Others Grow
As I allowed God to ReBUILD my life, He made it very clear that these lessons were not for me alone. My call and my ministry is now to share what I have learned about growing with as many people as God brings my way.
Over the past 18 years, as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation, I have helped thousands of individuals and groups ReBUILD their lives and thrive where God has planted them.
I’ve watched defeated divorced ladies bloom into the beautiful women God created them to be.
I’ve witnessed shy, uncertain new coaches step out in confidence to gain their first clients and help others begin thriving.
I’ve even experienced the challenge of new growth myself when my clients suddenly switch roles and become my teachers!
You aren’t meant to stay stuck and afraid to truly blossom.
You are meant to step out in faith and grow into who God created you to be.
It is a great privilege to walk alongside so many incredible people as they learn to share their unique beauty to a dark world that desperately needs their radiance.
One of the treasured moments in my day is receiving notes like this one from clients:
As a result of coaching with you, I have a solid framework for making better decisions based on my values and limitations. I’m no longer scattered, stressed and constantly over-extending myself. Plus, I’m more secure and aware of who I am, my giftings and personality.
~ Sharon W. ~
If you’d like to learn more about how I can support you to transition and grow in your own life, please click on the image below that most closely resonates with where you are now:
I need 1-on-1 support to breakthrough my roadblocks and begin living my best life.
I am divorced or separated and need a safe, supportive group to help me ReBUILD my life.
I am a coach, counselor, pastor, or lay leader who would like to learn new tools to best support those I help.
Wondering what qualifies me to coach others – other than my personal experience?
You’re not the only one. For many of my clients, it’s important to know that I’m not just a quack with a website, but that I’m a real professional. To give you a glimpse into my professional background, here’s a quick list of my credentials and accolades:
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with International Coaching Federation
- Awarded the Excellence in Christian Care Giving Award by the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC is an organization of more than 50,000 members.)
- Author of five books including the best-selling Taking Out Your Emotional Trash
- Licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania
- Media guest on shows such as The 700 Club, The Sharron and Hermann Show, Decision Today, and Sky Angel’s A Time for Hope
- Presenter on the DVD “Jesus: Fact or Fiction?”
- Founder and Executive Director of Mourning Glory Ministries, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) ministry dedicated to helping people recognize that with Christ they can move from hopelessness and despair (mourning) to hope and joy and a new life (glory).
Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call to discover how I can help you to grow or rebuild?
I’m here to help you thrive where you’re planted.
Let’s get started!
More about Our Ministry
Mourning Glory Ministries, founded in 1994, provides practical information along with emotional and spiritual support when you face the pain of loss and unwanted change. Whether you are facing a divorce or separation; a death; the loss of income; or an ongoing illness, the need is the same. You need support, encouragement, and guidance to counteract those feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and the lie that for you beginning anew is impossible.
In our efforts to help as many people as possible, we support many varying programs: Mourning Glory Minute videos, the ReBUILD group coaching programs, as well as prison ministries.
To learn more about the programs Mourning Glory Ministries supports or to join us in our efforts, please click the button below.
Drawn by J. Albuck (Heartsong) when I was speaking at American’s Keswick Conference Center
Ministry through Speaking
Looking for a Christian speaker for your retreat or conference?
You can find a complete list of my speaking topics and retreat themes by clicking the button below. You can also watch several of my presentations below to get a feel for my speaking style.
Speaking Samples
Ministry through Writing
Every book I’ve written I have experienced the topic firsthand. My goal is to help as many people as possible through these books, so please click on any title to purchase the books that speak to where you are in life right now.
A Gift of Mourning Glories: Restoring Your Life After Loss
The reasons you or someone dear to you face loss are many. The results, however, are the same. Our hearts ache. Life as we knew it is gone. But, we can learn how to slowly move from reeling to resilient with the practical strategies and stories included in this book. Learn to avoid the most common mistakes of beginning anew.
Taking Out Your Emotional Trash
You can’t grow emotionally and spiritually until you successfully address your irritations, sadness, anger, unfulfilled expectations, guilt, or shame. You need to be empowered to handle life’s ups and downs more easily, so you can minimize those I-can’t-handle-one-more-thing moments and avoid emotional meltdowns.
Avoiding the 12 Relationship Mistakes Women Make
When you learned to drive a car, you were taught where your visual blind spots are and how to compensate for them. What might your life be like if you were aware of your relational blind spots? Learn to recognize how you may be unintentionally undermining your most important relationships.
12 Smart Choices for Finding the Right Guy
What if you could save yourself the time and the heartache that comes with dating unhealthy people? As author Michelle McKinney Hammond suggests, “If true love is your goal, take charge of your love life by reading this handy how-to!”
Coaching the Coach: Life Coaching Stories and Tips for Transforming Lives
More than forty-five professionals in Christian coaching share their wisdom through stories and practical tips. Whether you are a coach, pastor, lay leader, or someone interested in coaching or growing personally, you’ll find helpful ideas from experienced Christian coaches such as Dr. Henry Cloud, Dr. Tim Clinton and Christopher McCluskey.