Kia Stephens

My new read was different from most of my nonfiction books.

It was clinical in nature, written by a psychotherapist and filled with a bunch of words I had to look up.

It had been recommended to me by my husband early on in our marriage, but it took me 18 years to finally read it.

Initially, I reasoned it wasn’t for me, until life led me to it.

Then I couldn’t put it down.Reading this book felt like a cross between therapy and intense research. With each page, I was learning more about myself.

Eventually, I was struck by a single, numerical list: 20 needs that should be fulfilled in the life of every child. If unmet, these needs have the potential to create wounds in unsuspecting adults.

They had done so in me.I held my breath as I read through the list of needs:safety,validation,guidanceand many others.

Those words described needs I missed.

Then I thought about the circumstances surrounding my unmet needs: my single mother, my absent and alcoholic father, and me.

It all felt so overwhelming.

I was a 42-year-old woman attempting to process wounds I was still discovering.

But God was not surprised.

He already knew His children would incur wounds in this life.

He knew what we eventually discover: In a broken world, with broken people, sometimes we will get cut.

I believe this is why God inspired the psalmist to pen the words of Psalm 147:3:“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

I'm sharing this repost with@proverbs31minstries today.

Click the or visit the link below to read the rest of this post.https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2026/08/15/god-heals-all-wounds

God has been doing something at my book table.

It is one of the most sobering and humbling experiences of my life.

And I believe He is using it to remind me that He NEVER WASTES A HURT and his love for the hurting is immense.

His love is wide and long and high and deep Ephesians 3:18

If you are reading this may you know that it is possible to exchange your father wounds for God’s perfect love.

XOXO,
Kia 😘

God gave me an unexpected gift with this speaking engagement: time with my son.🥹🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

(He’s not gonna be happy about me posting this; but I don’t care.)

This is his senior year and the reality that he is about to step into a new season is leaving me with mixed emotions.

It was great to get some precious moments with my oldest.🥰

He supported his mama big time getting photography, video, and working my book table like a BOSS!

God is so kind to let me have this experience with him.❤️🥹

I have met very few women with a heart as BIG as Brittany Tate ! ❤️

God gave her and her husband Daniel Tate , a vision for the women of Macon, Georgia and they carried it with so much grace, excellence, love, compassion and humility.

I watched Brittany deplete herself for Abide 2026 so that women would know Jesus, healing, wholeness, forgiveness, love, peace, hope, love, freedom and so much more.

She modeled Matthew 23:11 -12 effortlessly. The GREATEST among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

At a time when people are jockeying for position my sister followed the way of Christ on behalf of women she didn’t even know.

She sacrificed.
She prayed.
She faced spiritual warfare.
She persisted.
She championed those who are often overlooked.
& She was victorious.

I am blessed to know her.🥰

Job well done, sis!❤️😘

This almost did not happen, but I’m grateful that it did.

When I was originally asked to speak at Abide 2026 by Brittany Tate I had a conflict.

At the 9th hour my schedule changed and I was able to be a part of this incredible event.

God met us here!❤️🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Women gave their lives to Christ, rededicated, repented, transformed, and even got baptized.

God was not playing around!

I’m so honored to have been in the room, and I will Never. Be. The. Same.

Celebrating the baby. 🥰 Jonathan as Professor Bhaer in the spring production of Little Women. He killed it! Go Knights! 💙⚔️