27 Comments
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Jocelyn | Clearings's avatar

This was beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing <3

Daniela Fleming's avatar

Thank you Jocelyn! 🙏🏻 I’m glad you enjoyed it. I was excited to write this one. 🤍🤗

Beka Hicks's avatar

Thank you for sharing 💕

I’m 15 (almost 16!) years sober and got sober at 24 years old. I haven’t been to meetings in over a decade, but I miss them. I had Jesus throughout recovery, and when I worked the 12 steps through the lens of my Savior, I found myself so close to the Lord.

What you said about exodus though is spot on. I love your comparison there! I teared up reading about how God made himself known to you.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, strength, and hope.

Billy Brown's avatar

Ummmm. Yep! So well said Daniela

Our program is just another conduit of The Holy Spirit to reach a lost people group.

“All are called but few are chosen” the Bible says. “For those with ears to hear” it also says. God desires that all will come. He works in the middle of our lives. Always seeking, always drawing us to Him. But we must make the choice to COME. Come and SURRENDER (that always referred to spiritual principle)………at the feet of Jesus(that oh so elusive, offensive part that is purposely left out)

Come to Jesus

Daniela Fleming's avatar

Yes Billy! Make the choice, so true! I'm so glad I made that choice. Couldn't have done it without you and Wendy! My pillars! Love you guys

Hey Jalisa's avatar

Thank you for sharing, Daniela. If it’s true that you’re in the promised land, I need to hear more from you. I want to know the second thing you did when you arrived there because I am struggling😅

Daniela Fleming's avatar

Jalisa I’m glad you reached out. I’m going to DM you and let’s talk :)

Claudia Pennisi's avatar

I thank you Daniela for your prayers, the wilderness can be a dry and lonely place 😢

Daniela Fleming's avatar

Claudia I so relate! This last year a lot of people have pulled away, but I’m trusting this is God’s protection. It doesn’t go without hurt though. I’m still grieving but being faithful at the same time. I’m trusting my predecessors and God’s Word that this is a season and there will be another side eventually. You’re not alone friend! Hugs!

Claudia Pennisi's avatar

Daniela yes! The pulling away may be painful, but necessary to see God's plan more clearly in our lives.

Man has many desires in his heart but it’s the Lord’s purpose that will prevail!

I pray serenity in your heart, and peace.

Whitney Aguirre's avatar

I love studying the overlap and echoes in God's stories—your realizing that you lived your own exodus is so beautiful. Isn't God amazing?? Welcome home sister 💕

Daniela Fleming's avatar

Hi Whitney! Thank you so much. Yes, He truly is and so patient :) Thank you for the welcoming, I'm glad to be home. Sending hugs!

Laura Lynch's avatar

This was such a beautiful and inspiring story! Thank you so much for sharing! I look forward to following your journey! 🤗

Daniela Fleming's avatar

Thank you Laura! I appreciate you, sending hugs!

Laura Lynch's avatar

You're so welcome! Hugs to you too! 🥰

Echoes-From the In-Between's avatar

I really enjoyed reading this piece.

Daniela Fleming's avatar

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it :) Hugs!

Jimmy Sourile's avatar

Praise God for his faithfulness and presence through your whole story! Thank you for sharing.

Daniela Fleming's avatar

Thank you Jimmy! He was very faithful indeed, I'm glad I finally realized it. He sure is patient with us stubborn ones :)

Heather Lambert's avatar

Beautifully written!

Daniela Fleming's avatar

Thank you my sweet!

Claudia Pennisi's avatar

I loved reading this, you put it altogether so well!

The IsraelItes, God’s chosen people were rebellious and stiff-necked. And so are we if we are to be honest.

I am still waiting to come out my wilderness..

Daniela Fleming's avatar

Hi Claudia! Thank you for your comments. I'm praying for you and your wilderness season. I too am in one on the other side of the promise land, so you are not alone my sister. This time I know He's here, that's the promise and the difference. Sending hugs!

DrVal's avatar

Amen and amen!!! Finally got to finish. Sorry it took me so long! So beautifully written! Your story is such a testimony of God’s relentless love! So happy to travel with you!! ❤️

The Gray Paladin's avatar

This is incredibly raw and resonant, Daniela.

The story of Exodus is often taught just as a rescue mission, but you captured the harder truth so perfectly here. Deliverance is only the first step. The wilderness is where the actual, painful work of unlearning our captivity happens. It is profoundly difficult to accept that God often leads us into the desert not to punish us, but to strip away the things we used to rely on so we can finally learn how to rely on Him.

There is a lot of pressure to only ever feel immediate comfort when reading scripture, and it is very brave of you to admit that starting with Exodus felt jarring and heavy. But the Israelites' grumbling, their fear, and their constant desire to return to the familiar comfort of Egypt is perhaps the most relatable human story ever recorded. Your insight that true freedom often feels worse than familiar slavery is a striking, deeply true observation.

We often pray for rescue, but we rarely want the long, uncomfortable walk through the wilderness that follows. Thank you for reminding us that the desert seasons of our lives aren't signs of abandonment. They are the places where God teaches us how to actually live in the freedom He has given us. This is a stunning, grounded read.

Faithful Recovery's avatar

This beautiful revelation is a gift to receive. There are so many things running through my mind and heart in this moment that I cannot fully respond. Just know that I understand the wilderness, the promise, and the miracle. I’ve lived it too. God was always there.