By: Jacqueline Goodwin
At the age of twenty-two, I was married to my high school sweetheart. I was finishing up my last year at Francis Marion University where I was receiving my bachelor’s degree in arts. I got married that August before I graduated in December. At that time, my life was incredibly busy as I prepared for graduation and a wedding. I felt stressed, overwhelmed, and excited all wrapped in one. I also was transitioning from college to moving out of my parents’ house into my own home. At least that’s what I assumed until after my wedding and honeymoon. I returned from my honeymoon surprised to find out my mother-in-law would be living with me and my husband. At first, I thought it would be no problem, but later it became very awkward for me as I did not feel like it was my home. You see my husband and his mother had the apartment together before he and I got married; we assumed she would be finding another place after we wed. However, it did not work out that way! I informed him that he needed to find us a place or I was going back to my parents’ house. Within a week we were moving into our first apartment together! This was the beginning of my journey to losing myself in my marriage. Before getting married, I was one who enjoyed writing, exercising, and shopping. Overall, I enjoyed living. After I got married, I stopped writing and exercising.
When my husband walked out on me and our three children, he thought he was hurting me. That was the beginning of me rediscovering Jacqueline. It was at that moment that I realized that I had neglected all of me. I remember coming home from church one day with my children and I realized he had moved out. I felt such a relief and was at peace. As I laid across my bed, I had begun to breathe; I went to my closet and pulled out my diary and poetry book I hid in the back of the closet. I started reading my diary and the little girl who had written with so much life and ambition began to emerge. It was as if layers and layers of weight were falling off me. I felt like I was digging myself out of a grave. I stayed up for hours reading my poems and my diary over and over. Then I pulled out a notebook and began writing a new poem. It was a new beginning for me; I had found myself again. This was the beginning of me of rediscovering and loving myself for the first time. Stop now and begin to self-discover who you are!
Jacqueline Goodwin is an ordained pastor and prophetess whose ministry focus is deliverance and healing. She has a passion and heart for the youth which has led her to various positions within the ministry and career field. Since 2002 Goodwin has served as Youth Director, a mentor, and a Sunday School teacher within her local church. A former paralegal, educator, and substance abuse counselor who uses her gift of empowerment to transform lives within her career field. She has earned a Master of Arts in Practical Theology from Regent University, Master of Counseling from Webster University, Columbia SC, a Master of Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University, Lynchburg VA, an Associate Degree of Paralegal graduating “Magna Cum Laude” from South University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Francis Marion University, Florence SC. She is the author of, Healing in the Vessel A Mother’s Love A Daughter’s Journey of Faith. She is the co-author of several Anthologies: Grief to Grind Anthology: How did I lot Myself in a Relationship, Meant for My Good, Women of Power II, Hearing God’s Voice Above The Chaos, and It takes Money Honey. She is an International Speaker for the I AM Her Women Conference. She is an Amazon bestselling author. She has been featured on the cover of I AM Queen Magazine. She currently resides in South Carolina with her son, two daughters, and granddaughter. Her hobbies include running, walking, meditating, and writing, counseling youth and working in the community.
Connect with me on: www.facebook.com/jacquelinegoodwin; Instagram: lenisegoodwin;
Twitter: jacquelinegoodwin@Jacquel58497682; www.healinginthevesselministries.com