Meet Erica

Hi, friend!

I’m so glad you’re here! I pray you’ve wandered onto this virtual space because you need real, tangible hope.

Maybe your faith is dangling by a thread as you face life’s impossible circumstances.

Living life with an incurable genetic condition, I’ve learned a thing or two about facing the impossible. I’ve “done” suffering the right way and the wrong way – clinging to anger and resentment or embracing God in my weakness. But it’s been a 20-year journey, and I’d love to help you land safely in Jesus’ comforting arms, where you’ll learn He can be trusted with your pain.

What you’ll find here…

• Honesty about suffering and real talk about pain
• Encouragement and practical applications to help you cling for dear life to God’s goodness
• Absolute reliance on the inerrant Word of God to help you cope with suffering
• Clasping our hands together as we learn to comfort those who are hurting
• Extending our open hands to God’s presence, compassion and sufficiency in our pain
• Grace to try again when we get it wrong
• Hope while facing life’s impossible in your family life, friendships and faith
• Knowing that life is short, focusing on legacy living and saying “yes” to small, meaningful moments
• Permission to nap. We like naps around here.

What you won’t find…

• Ignoring your suffering or rushing you through your grief and pain
• Easy answers and quick fixes
• Pat Christian responses to your pain – “Everything happens for a reason.” “God won’t give you more than you can handle.”
• Self-reliant “pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps” Christianity
• Discouragement when we relearn the same lessons
• Medical advice or get-well gimmicks > Our work here is on our souls – investing in the truth of God’s goodness, while simultaneously accepting that our outward selves and circumstances are part of our fallen world.

More about me

The illness I mentioned? It’s a rare genetic condition called Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS for short). While I don’t let it define me, it impacts my daily life and outlook on the future. VEDS has resulted in several near-death experiences. A ruptured colon at age 20. Multiple aneurysms throughout my body. 15-ish surgeries on my intestines and aneurysms. Spending nearly a year of my life on IV feeding.

I’ll spare you the 4-page health history that I carry around in my purse (don’t worry!), but the most important things about me are:

• I’m a saved child of God through Jesus Christ alone.
• I adore my husband of 19 years.
• Together we are raising an active boy-child whose birth is a miracle in itself. He’s ten, loves Legos, Nerf guns, and I trust he will someday learn how to use a fork!
• My chronic illness journey has taught me that life is fragile, each day is a gift and it’s hard and worthwhile work to find God’s goodness each day.

Things I love:

• People – this extrovert needs humans! (but also alone time)
• The color blue
• Coffee (with generous creamer) and lingering coffee dates
• Salty and savory foods – If you’re going to bring me a cookie, you better pair that with some kettle chips. This girl needs to “end on salty.”
• Hallmark movies
• Thrift stores
• Mascara, concealer and blush
• Fall weather (fire pits, s’mores!, jackets, boots, cool weather, fewer bugs)
• Listening to others’ stories of resilience

Things I don’t love:

• Heights
• Pet birds (An incident in middle school scarred me for life.)
• Hot air balloons (see #1 + a fireball in the air? Just nope.)
• Glass bridges (see also #1)
• Capers (the food) – I like almost all foods and flavors, but capers don’t make the cut.

Let’s continue our deliberate practice of clinging to God’s goodness in life’s impossible. Read more at About Oh His Goodness.

Let’s connect on Instagram and Facebook for more frequent encouragement in life’s hard places. And I’d love for you to subscribe below for monthly goodies in your inbox.

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Psalm 145:4,7