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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
Together, We Rise Campaign
Have you ever gone through a challenging time that left you wondering, “Where do I go from here?”—a moment when you felt alone, maybe even abandoned? Where people said to reach out when you need them but they don't seem to get it? At the beginning of my burn recovery, that’s exactly how I felt. Yes, my family supported me—just like family does. But to me, it didn’t feel any different than how it should be when a parent loves you. I didn’t yet understand what it meant to have.
Kelsay Parrott
Apr 10, 20252 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
What's to Come?
Many people have been asking me what the next steps are in my life—what’s on the radar, what I’m excited for, and what’s coming next. So, I wanted to share the exciting adventures ahead for 2025, and I’d love for you to partner in prayer with me as I step into these new chapters! I’m writing a book! I must admit, I’ve been working on this book for years, but it never really went anywhere. Honestly i never thought my story was worth publishing. For a long time, I was just pret
Kelsay Parrott
Apr 6, 20253 min read
Dear Person
Dear Person feeling Disappointed, I understand the disappointment and the desire for more. I know that it can feel like life is standing in the way of everything you want—whether it’s a disability, family challenges, or other obstacles. It can all feel overwhelming, can't it? I truly understand. Let me be vulnerable with you for a moment. Here is a post I made in high school on Facebook: "Honestly, as I reflect on my life in high school, this is not how I expected it! I found
Kelsay Parrott
Apr 6, 20253 min read
In the Back of the Buick
I sat in the back of an antique Buick—yes, an early 1900s model—and felt the world around me transform. As the car rumbled down familiar streets, I couldn’t help but marvel at the perspective I had never seen before. These roads, which I drive every day, suddenly felt different, almost foreign. I looked out the window, imagining what life must have been like during the early 1900s, when this very car might have been the talk of the town, the epitome of luxury and progress. Th
Kelsay Parrott
Apr 5, 20253 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
Use it or...
"You can either use it or let it use you. What do you decide?" I was speaking with a friend at our Young Adults hangout tonight, and we began talking about my story and my journey to where I am now. She asked me how to move from an “agreement trauma” mindset to a “transformed trauma” mindset (my words, not hers). To me, an agreement trauma mindset is when you accept trauma as something that happened to you, and you allow it to define you and dictate your future. A transforme
Kelsay Parrott
Mar 19, 20254 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
Recovery
Burn Awareness Week Part 2 Recovery is such a roller-coaster ride. At first, I thought it meant reaching a point where I was completely healed, like I could just move on and leave everything behind. While healing is definitely part of the story, I’ve come to realize there’s so much more to it than simply being “over” what happened. Recovery isn’t a straight path—it’s messy, unpredictable, and often feels like you’re taking two steps forward and one step back. There are moment
Kelsay Parrott
Feb 8, 202510 min read
The Flames
This photo brings tears to my eyes every time. It captures me at a moment in time when everything was simple, carefree, and innocent. I was four years old, smiling into the camera, unaware of the storm that was about to hit my life. This was one of the last professional photos of me before everything changed. February means Burn Awareness Week, a time dedicated to raising awareness about burn injuries and fire safety. You might be wondering, What exactly is Burn Awareness Wee
Kelsay Parrott
Feb 3, 20254 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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