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Bridging the Divide
I needed the divide bridged—and for the first time, I finally feel like it has been, at least in some ways. You see, as a trauma survivor, compartmentalizing comes far too easily. Compartmentalizing is the mental process of separating painful or conflicting experiences into different “boxes” in your mind as a way to cope and avoid certain feelings or triggers. It can protect you for a while, but after years of doing it, those boxes start to feel less like safety—and more lik
Kelsay Parrott
Jul 23, 20256 min read
From Afraid to Filled: A Pentecost Journey
This weekend marks Pentecost —a moment in the church calendar that used to come and go without much thought from me. We honored it in services as a kid. I remember those well. Some of my memories of those sermons are not the best because I was afraid of the story. But I remember hearing them all the time. I knew about the fire, the wind, and the tongues. I believed in the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—but if I’m being honest, the Holy Spirit always felt... distant. May
Kelsay Parrott
Jun 7, 20256 min read
Angel Armies
One year ago, during a quiet drive, I had a realization that left me speechless. I wrote about it then, but tonight—on another drive—it hit me again. Except this time, it felt deeper. Clearer. More urgent. While praying in the stillness of the evening, God brought back a vivid image I’d seen at the Gettysburg museum. It was a depiction of a vast army—row upon row of soldiers, shoulder to shoulder, disciplined and determined. There was weight and purpose in that formation. Po
Kelsay Parrott
May 27, 20253 min read
Honoring the Fallen
Tonight, as I lay my head down, I find myself overcome with both gratitude and grief—a heart full of mourning, yet deeply thankful. I reflect on the lives lost in battle so that I might live free. Over 1.3 million American service members have given their lives in wars since the founding of our nation. Millions more answered the call—some willingly, others with quiet reluctance. Some stepped forward when others could not. Some gave everything so that future generations could
Kelsay Parrott
May 26, 20252 min read
22 Years
It took me twenty-two years to get here. Twenty-two long years. Of crying out to God in the dark. Of trying to find pieces of myself in a world that never looked the same again. Twenty-two years of fighting for this exact moment. A moment of victory! On May 13, 2003, everything changed. That’s the day of the fire. The day my body was burned and my childhood ended. Nothing would be the same again. The day my family’s world was flipped upside down. The day my parents almost los
Kelsay Parrott
May 24, 20254 min read
Taking Back what the Enemy Stole
In just one week, I’m taking back something the enemy tried to steal from me—my joy, my peace, my healing. Let me share why this means everything. May 13, 2003. A day forever etched in my life. It was the day my dress caught fire, and I suffered burns that scarred over half my body. It marked the beginning of the most painful, exhausting, and life-altering journey I’ve ever walked through. Recovery wasn’t just physical—it was emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal. Learnin
Kelsay Parrott
May 4, 20253 min read
The Battle Isn't Yours
Trigger warning: Self Harm Mentioned! Self harm used to be how I coped with everything. If I could just make the pain on the outside match that on the inside. I'd justify why I deserved it and cover it up to ensure no one saw. If I was having a break down, fighting with someone, spiritual warfare, whatever it was I'd turn to harming myself. This would mean either falling on eating disorders that made me intentionally making myself sick. It would lead to scratching my skin, pu
Kelsay Parrott
Apr 29, 20252 min read
The Tomb
HE IS NOT HERE FOR HE HAS RISEN! Today, I celebrate that the tomb is not empty—it's full. Not full of a body, but full of everything that once held Me Captive. It's full of my shame. Full of my guilt. Full of my sin, my sorrow, my fear, and my failures. Full of the parts of me that were never meant to survive resurrection. Because when Jesus rose, He didn’t just leave behind grave clothes— He left behind everything that ever tried to bury *me*. My darkness had no place
Kelsay Parrott
Apr 20, 20251 min read
Calvary's Walk
As we enter into Easter, my heart pauses to remember—to reflect on what Jesus died for, and why He endured such suffering. It’s called Good Friday because the story doesn’t end there. Sunday is coming. But I can’t help but wonder—what would I have done? Would I have been among those who welcomed Jesus with open arms one day, only to turn on Him the next? Would I have stood by and watched, or would I have run away? Would I have turned my back, just like so many did? I may neve
Kelsay Parrott
Apr 19, 20252 min read
Maundy Thursday Reflections: A Table, a Towel, and a Cross
Tonight, my heart lingers on two sacred images. The first—my Savior, Jesus, seated around a table with His disciples. Sharing a meal. Laughing, maybe. Remembering. Loving. And yet, He knew. He knew what the next day held. Betrayal. Suffering. The weight of the world’s sin pressing down. Still, He chose presence. Still, He chose them. He took the cup—the Cup of Redemption. The very cup that, for generations, reminded God’s people of the blood of the Passover lamb, the rescue f
Kelsay Parrott
Apr 17, 20252 min read
Be Creative without Fear
I’ll be honest with you—there’s something I’ve struggled with for a long time: the fear of man. Basically, it’s that deep insecurity about what people might think of me, and it tends to sneak in during three specific situations: 1. Working out in front of others (we’ll talk about that another day) 2. Speaking or teaching in front of people (also a story for later) 3. And the one I want to share today—being creative. Creativity always felt like a closed door to me. Growing u
Kelsay Parrott
Apr 14, 20253 min read
Cry Out His Name
There are moments in our lives when all we can do is cry out the name of God, hoping He hears the undertones of our pain. I've been in that place recently—facing situations where the only breath I have between tears is enough to whisper, “Jesus.” And somehow, that’s enough. We cling to His name because we know it holds more power than anything else our lips could form. It becomes our lifeline, our anchor, when words fail and our hearts are heavy. Did you know that God never a
Kelsay Parrott
Apr 11, 20253 min read
Self-Compassion
The Power of Self-Compassion: Learning to Care for Yourself I’m sure many of you cringed just reading that title. The idea of self-compassion can feel uncomfortable, almost like a luxury we can’t afford. But self-compassion is more than simply recognizing your struggles and taking a day off to relax. It’s about turning the same empathy, kindness, and care you show to others back onto yourself. I’ll be honest with you—I struggle with self-compassion. I don’t give myself enough
Kelsay Parrott
Apr 8, 20255 min read
Dear Future Husband
Dear Future Husband, I have been praying for you for years now. I’ve prayed for your strength, your wisdom, and for your connection with God to be stronger than any other relationship in your life. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."— Proverbs 3:5-6 I've prayed for your protection. Times when I didn’t know why you needed prayer, but I prayed because God placed it
Kelsay Parrott
Mar 25, 20252 min read
Grateful Heart, Bigger Miracles
I want to ask you a thought-provoking question today: What if you woke up tomorrow with only what you thanked God for today? It’s a simple but powerful question, and it’s one I’ve kept front and center in my home. I have a sign that asks this very question, and just below it is a prayer and praise board. Anyone who visits can see the prayers in my heart, and they’re invited to add their own requests or praises. It’s a tangible reminder of how often we come to God with our lau
Kelsay Parrott
Mar 24, 20253 min read
A Change
I want to share a bit about something close to my heart — the CORE Discipleship Intensive at my church. For those who don’t know, it’s a 16-week journey that dives deep into what life with Christ looks like. It’s a time where we intentionally cut out media, fast, pray, and seek God in a way that can transform every part of our lives. CORE was the program that brought me to Pennsylvania, and it has been such a pivotal part of my faith journey. I’ve seen firsthand how it can ch
Kelsay Parrott
Mar 11, 20255 min read
No Sense Trust
What does "trust" really mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, trust is "assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something." This simple yet profound definition speaks to the very core of how we live our daily lives. We put our trust in many things, often without a second thought. We trust that the sun will rise every morning, that our employer will fulfill their promise to pay us, that our coffee will give us the energy we ne
Kelsay Parrott
Feb 14, 20254 min read
I choose.
Three years ago, in 2022, I participated in a program at my church called CORE. CORE is intense and brings you deep into your relationship with the Lord. We’ve just begun a new semester, and it’s brought back so many memories from my own time in the program. One of the most powerful lessons CORE teaches is about forgiveness and the roots of bitterness. That was the most transformative lesson for me. I was visiting Michigan for Seminary shortly before going to Pennsylvania for
Kelsay Parrott
Jan 29, 20253 min read
Come Touch My Hands
I came home from a prayer meeting with my heart so full. Tonight, my friend Lindsey—without even knowing it—gave me a word from God. It was exactly what I needed to hear, a perfect answer to what I had been praying about earlier. There were two things weighing heavily on my heart, and that was one of them. And then, the worship team sang into the other. But when I got home, got ready for bed, and sat down in my bedroom, I felt God whisper, “Come touch my hands.” It seemed str
Kelsay Parrott
Jan 21, 20252 min read
The Fullness
We all long for fullness in our lives, don’t we? I know I do. I want to be full of love, full of life, full of joy, full of peace. It always brings me such joy when someone tells me just how much they see all this in me. Life just doesn’t feel right when I’m only half full—or worse, empty—when it comes to these areas. But here’s the question: we all desire to be full, but how often do we actually allow ourselves to experience complete fullness in Jesus? Are we so deeply roo
Kelsay Parrott
Jan 19, 20252 min read
Sensitive Content:
As a trauma pastor and survivor, I find it essential to alert readers to sensitive topics, ensuring they feel safe and aren’t caught off guard. A simple warning can prevent harm, so please approach this content mindfully. If it may be sensitive for you, consider reading at a safer time or skipping it altogether. If something causes distress, please seek help from a licensed counselor, pastor, or trusted friend. Note that it’s impossible to warn for all triggers, so please advocate for yourself and assess the content before engaging. Thank you for understanding and for helping create a safer environment for all!
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