Hope for Lives—Sharing My Personal Testimony—the Real Me
*To view my speaking/teaching SCHEDULE please go to the teaching link
I’m discovering women want to hear my story of hope:
Hope for those trapped in perfectionism and fear. Using humor, I play dress-up as you’ll discover Julie as a child, then as a young mother, and finally an adult. I talk about escaping my lifelong vise of the perfection trap while transporting audiences to my childhood in the 1960’s. I grew up believing a lie—that I had to be perfect to be loved. With transparency and God’s help, I offer women’s groups the real Julie.
Hope for those with depression. I share about my “dark night of the soul” of 1994. My year of clinical depression was more than a breakdown. It was a breakthrough. Imperfection, failure, and depression, finally broke my rigid pride and perfectionism.
Hope for those who’ve experienced the death of a child. My testimony often helps moms who’ve lost children. Robbie, our third child was born with a rare birth defect, anencephaly, and didn’t survive. I remember deciding to trust God during our son’s birth and death. He proved faithful.
Hope for teens and parents of teens. I adore teens. Teens desperately want to be loved just as they are—the way God loves us. Rebellion, in one form or another, lies in the hearts of all of us. Teenagers are often tagged with explosive rebellion. I discovered the quiet kind of rebellion in my heart. My rebellion whispers, “I know better than God.”
Hope for those with addictions. I believe every family struggles with something. My family’s struggle with substance abuse changed me. I came to a place of compassion for addicts and alcoholics and for those who love them. Attending Al-Anon revealed my own addiction to fear and control. I’m a fear-aholic. I can’t allow a taste of fear.
Quotes from previous churches:
“I thank God for the ministry of Julie Garmon. Her openness and transparency in sharing of her life experiences were moving and encouraging. Our ladies were blessed tremendously and I would highly recommend her to speak at any ladies gathering." Cheryl Waters, Director of Women's Ministry, Grace Baptist Church
“Julie, what a pleasure it was having you speak at our Mother's Day Luncheon. Your testimony is powerful and inspiring. Many of our ladies, from the very young to the very old, have told me what a blessing you were to them. Even my 9 year old granddaughter said, "Gigi, Jesus has really helped that lady." She didn't understand everything, but she got the message just the same. Gerry McKinney, Events Coordinator, Mt Carmel Christian Church Women's Ministry
“Julie was amazing! She was so honest and real--and brought such great creativity into her presentation! So very prepared, and kept our group totally engaged---through tears and laughter blended our hearts together that night!” Leigh Anne Day, Director of Women’s Ministry for 8 years, Celebration Church