The Keeper of My Heart: The Key to Knowing Who You Truly Are… is a book that I received as part of the Launch Team. My review of this book is written from my honest impression and interaction with the book.
When I met my husband, I almost immediately fell in love with him. The more that I got to know him, the more I was sure that he was “The One.”
The main problem with this revelation of my destiny was that I was broken and carrying around more baggage than I would be able to continue to bear. I didn’t feel like I was worthy of the friendship and love that he offered to me. I’d been in so many toxic relationships that I didn’t think I would know how to function in a healthy one. It took meeting him to realize that, not only was I not the woman he deserved, I was not the woman I deserved.
It required me to go to therapy in order to be able to see that I was worthy of true love and a healthy relationship.
He is the Keeper of my Heart
In undergrad, I was the victim of two rapes and an incident of sexual assault. I didn’t realize that I’d never fully processed the trauma until this year. I accidentally relived my trauma when, of all things, I was learning how to help other people who have survived assault.
Some of the behaviors that I exhibited were a direct result of unprocessed trauma. To keep it real…I became really promiscuous. I knew that what I was doing was wrong but I couldn’t help myself. It was a constant cycle of shame, degradation, and dissociative repentance. Once I learned that promiscuity is a very common response to unprocessed trauma, all of the shame that I’d kept at bay for so long fully engulfed me. I couldn’t breathe. I felt like trash. I had a panic attack and the first person who called me after its onset was…my husband.
Imagine having to tell your spouse why you’re losing your mind when you answer the phone…
Luckily for me, 1) he knew about this part of my story and 2) he’s a mental health counselor. He kept me on the phone until he could get to me and make sure that I was ok.
God couldn’t physically be there in that moment but He worked through the man He’d given to me in covenant marriage. It was an undeniably evident act through which He reminded me of His covenant with me…that He would never leave me, nor forsake me {Hebrews 13:5b-6.}
Through all of my traumas, mistakes, and fears, He has kept my heart.
I am forgiven.
My emotional breakdown intensified when I realized that I’d never forgiven myself for the sexual mistakes that I’d made in my past. It only took me about 2 decades to forgive myself for those decisions and experiences.
Better late, than never…I guess?
I’m currently walking down the path of healing…again. Taking steps every day to remind myself that God sacrificed so much because He created me to find…and walk in…my purpose for His Kingdom. None of that includes dwelling in the mistakes of my past, holding onto the hurts that the enemy would use to keep me from blessing others. I had to forgive myself in order to be able to show others that God is the Father of love and Creator of beauty within every single one of us…no matter what mistakes we’ve made.
As I flipped through The Keeper of My Heart, I wanted to find just the right image to color first. As I searched, I was reminded of the powerful words that God had been waiting for me to accept all along. I was able to look back and see just how far I’ve come. Ten years ago, I took the first steps toward healing my heart and my spirit. My therapist’s assignment to me was to write a letter forgiving myself. I never wrote it because I was still struggling to do it. It’s not even ironic that this was in the book…because I clearly needed the reminder.
Book Review
I really enjoyed this book. I’m focusing more on being intentional with my time. If I’m going to de-stress through coloring, I’m glad that this will help me to use that time to reflect on God’s Word.
As the author describes it, this is an interactive book. There are letters written to you from Jesus, who is the Keeper of your heart. Each letter from Jesus is about who you are in Him: beautiful, strong, worthy, forgiven, etc. In addition to the coloring pages and Scripture, the journal pages are available to write letters back to Him. These pages may absolutely be used for reflection, prayer, or words of adoration and thanks to God.
I used to underestimate the power of color therapy. Most people are just excited to have “adult” coloring books, but the act of coloring is cathartic and a temporary escape from the weight of daily life. Ashley’s book is a great use of color therapy to help us heal from whatever is holding us back. To help remind us of the immeasurable value He sees in us. Her book reminds us that God loves us and He is the keeper of our hearts. It reminds us of the promises He’s always given to us. Being able to color the pages gives the reader a few moments to intentionally reflect on the words on the page and the words in The Word.
If you’re questioning {or struggling with} who you are in His eyes and in His Kingdom, this is a beautiful book. As much as I work to encourage others, I find that I need a lot of encouragement too. This is a wonderfully truthful way to find it.
Book title: The Keeper of My Heart: The Key to Knowing Who You Truly Are…
Author: Ashley Wichlenski
Book Info: Hardback
Content Length: 60 pages {heavy card stock for coloring}
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