My Journey Through a Master’s in Theology for Healing and Strength

Hello, dear readers. It’s Meghann here. On this warm afternoon of July 25, 2025, as the sun streams through my window and I pause from the bustle of my home health care agency, I’m eager to share a meaningful chapter from my recent past: my decision to pursue and complete a master’s in theology last year. This choice wasn’t about becoming an expert overnight; it was a deliberate step to deepen my understanding of faith, weave it more intentionally into my daily life, and harness it as a tool to navigate and overcome the obstacles that have marked my path. After years of grappling with the pain of a broken marriage, emotional scars, and the challenges of single motherhood, turning to faith felt like reclaiming a light that had always been there, waiting to guide me through the darkness.

The spark for this came from those quiet, questioning moments—nights spent wondering “why me?” or how to find meaning amid the chaos. As a 38-year-old mom of four, running my own business and raising my kids solo in our small town, life often feels like a whirlwind I never anticipated. I envisioned a partnership of support and growth. Instead, it became a season of emotional distance, gaslighting, and feeling perpetually sidelined to his own self interests. The invalidations chipped away at my self-worth, leaving me doubting everything from my instincts to my value as a person. The divorce freed me in many ways, but it also thrust me into uncharted territory—rebuilding alone, co-parenting with an ex who still sends mixed signals through texts, and facing community whispers that echo his version of events. The grief of lost innocence and the fear of eternal loneliness pushed me to seek something deeper, a foundation that could anchor me amid the storms.

Studying theology became my lifeline over the last year, a way to understand faith not as distant doctrines, but as a vibrant force for everyday living. I dove into it to explore how spiritual wisdom could help me process the betrayal and isolation, turning self-doubt into self-compassion. As someone who’s always been resilient—taught by my parents to stand tall through self-sufficiency—this program allowed me to blend that strength with grace. I learned to start days with gratitude practices that counter the lingering doubts, to draw resilience from scriptures when old traumas resurface, like the gaslighting that made me question my sanity or the emotional cheating that left me feeling expendable. It equipped me to teach my daughters that divine love is steadfast and unconditional, a stark contrast to the conditional ties we’ve known, helping them build healthier views of relationships despite the absences they’ve endured.

Incorporating faith has transformed small moments: journaling truths to reclaim my narrative, finding solace in prayer during sleepless nights of “why,” or using spiritual principles to set boundaries with those who blur lines. Completing the program this last year was a milestone of accomplishment, especially balancing it with the demands of my agency and four kids who keep me on my toes. It’s empowered me to see obstacles—like co-parenting challenges or community judgments—not as punishments, but as chances for growth guided by a higher purpose. Faith has become a compass, helping me forgive without forgetting harm, and embrace solitude not as loneliness, but as space for self-discovery.

This journey wasn’t easy—squeezing studies into late nights after tucking the kids in, wrestling with doubts about my worth as a mother amid the chaos—but it was profoundly rewarding. It’s reshaped how I approach life, turning vulnerability into strength and isolation into intentional community. If faith beckons you as a path to heal and rise above, consider your steps; the transformation is worth every effort.

More reflections to come.

With faith,

Meghann