From an early age, fear was my constant companion. I was raised by parents with polar-opposite parenting styles – my dad was very hands-off, while my mother was extremely overprotective. Consequently, I never felt safe and everything I did was geared towards self-protection.

That mindset doesn’t leave much room (if any) for intimacy, for allowing myself to be known.

God has brought me healing and some measure of freedom from fear. But I still have a ways to go.

Can you relate? Then I’m thinking you and I should be friends. And go down the road of healing together. Because that’s what I believe God is up to in my life. And yours.

“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The above is the heart stuff. The head stuff isn’t as exciting but in case you’d like to know:

After graduating with a degree in Finance from the University of Maryland, Crystal was soon lured by her true calling: storytelling. With that in mind she secured a master’s degree in journalism and went on to work for several years as a news producer for CBN.

During that time she had the privilege of covering numerous history making events, from the death of Osama bin Laden to the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem to the #MeToo movement.

Crystal lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., where she’s been adopted by five fluffy, adorable felines.