Author: Dora Hiers

Writing through Despair

/ Dora Hiers / 13 Comments

2007. Not a good year.

We’d just moved to North Carolina from Florida. My husband spent long hours working at his new job, and as a writer who rarely left the house, I hadn’t developed a support system of friends yet. Lonely? You bet.

Uprooting our youngest son mid-year in 10th grade wasn’t ideal, so we arranged for him to stay and finish the school year. He spent the following summer in NC, but he missed his friends and decided to move back. Without telling us. Yeah. We were devastated.

That alone was tough, but on top of that, our oldest son, a Marine, faced another deployment. This time, though, suffering severe emotional and psychological trauma, he made a choice that altered his life forever.

My writing suffered. How could I create a romance when I stared down a deep black hole that threatened to swallow me whole? What about you? Are you drowning in despair? Here are some reminders that I needed:

Remember His promises. “Be strong and courageous…for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut 31:6 NIV) This is one of my favorites.

Realize you don’t control others. You can only control your actions and reactions. Let everything else go.

Recognize that you may need counseling. Although I might have been lonely, I wasn’t alone. God heard my cry, and He answered with a sweet husband who recognized that I needed help. My husband procured a Christian counselor for our family, and after a few sessions and much prayer, God broke the chains of despair.

Reminisce on God’s faithfulness. I’m no stranger to pain or suffering. As a child, I suffered third degree burns, which entailed numerous surgeries. I married as a teen, and when the marriage failed, I was left with trust issues and a precious 11-month-old to raise by myself (until I met my true soul mate six years later). God faithfully carried me through these tough times, so I trust Him to continue to do so.

Refocus and appreciate. Stop focusing inward. I began volunteering at a therapeutic horse ranch serving the special needs community. My issues seemed insignificant in comparison. And I learned to appreciate the perks of empty nesting. 🙂

Know God’s heart for you, and trust the road He has you on, even when you can’t see where it leads. 2007 was a tough year, but this is the journey God’s traveled with me since then: 

A healthy relationship with our now college-age son

Additions to our family 

My first writing contract and several more since then.

An encouraging, supportive group of writer friends


2013. It’s going to be a great year.

It’s a new day. A fresh slate for the year. 
Are you staring into the deep pit of despair?
Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Ps 30:5b NKJV

The Perfect Gift

/ Dora Hiers
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. ~Eph 2:8-9, NIV 


While our children were growing up, we lived in Florida, where winters and cooler temperatures were non-existent. Every winter break we loaded up the car with snow sleds, Christmas presents, and our portable Christmas tree. Singing Christmas songs along the way, we traveled to some faraway state, a place guaranteed to find snow.

After arriving at our rental condominium, we tucked all the presents under that miniature tree and turned on the sparkling lights. Then, we snuggled in front of the fireplace and cheered for our favorite football teams or watched a movie, sipping hot chocolate loaded with whipped cream and sprinkles.

In the morning, we rushed to the window to catch that first glimpse of a newly fallen snow. Snow so clean, perfect and unspoiled, and shimmering like diamonds.

On a trip to Minnesota, we discovered the destructive nature of those beautiful white flakes. During our two-day drive through single digit temperatures, it snowed, soaking some of the items secured on top of the car. Then, they froze. Care to guess what we packed on top of the car? Right. The Christmas presents. How do you tell your children that they’ll have to accept an IOU for Christmas?

We learned something that year. One, always pack the presents inside the car, everything else on top. Second, that snow isn’t always pristine. Snow can be dirty and destructive.

Just like sin in our life. Sin stains our heart. Destroys our relationships. Harms our body and inflicts serious emotional scars. Leaves us feeling dirty, like the leftover sludge after tires have trampled through snow.

There is only one gift that won’t spoil or freeze. During this hectic holiday season, I thank God for the “perfect” gift given to me.

What is that perfect gift?

It’s a chance for a fresh start. Paint bright enough to cover grimy walls. Spring-cleaning from the ceiling to the floor. The shimmering purity of freshly fallen snow.

Salvation is a gift offered to you by a loving Father with no strings attached. This Christmas season, will you accept the gift He offers?

REFLECT & PRAY:


 Are you suffering from the consequences of sin? Do you want to dust away the cobwebs and deep clean your heart? You can’t do it yourself, but Jesus Christ can and will, if you ask Him.

Oh, God, I ask for that perfect gift, salvation offered through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please wash away my sin and make me clean and pure as a freshly fallen snow. Amen.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. ~Psalm 51:7 NIV