Brokenness is a reality of life. We all experience it. Something breaks each and every one of us, usually many things. But God promises to use our brokenness to find beauty in this world.
 
In the latest episode of CHRISTIAN PARENT/CRAZY WORLD, I continue my heart-warming conversation with Andy Howard, a father who received a devastating diagnosis with his first child that broke him. As we heard in the last episode, Andy’s daughter Payton was born legally blind with 10% brain function. As a baby, Andy was told that she would never walk and would likely never speak. That diagnosis led to a four-year season of depression. 
 
But the skies began to clear on a beach trip when Andy saw a couple picking up sea shells, and whenever they found a broken one, they would throw it back. God spoke so clearly to Andy’s heart that morning, telling him that there is beauty in those broken shells, and Andy has been collecting beautiful broken shells ever since.
 
In this episode, Andy and I discuss how God is committed to bringing beauty from the broken places in our lives. You will get to peek behind the veil to see what Payton is really experiencing here on earth, and you will learn how to help families who have children with special needs. 
 
To hear part two of my heart-warming conversation with Andy Howard on Life Audio,  click on the link below: 
 

 
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To see clips from this interview and find inspiring supplemental quotes and posts, connect with Catherine on Instagram and Facebook . To receive updates about each new podcast and free resources like Scripture songs, Bible verses to pray over prodigal children, and a topical index of Scriptures for prayer, subscribe to Catherine’s website.

ANDY’S BIO: For over 20 years, Andy Howard has served in ministry as a youth pastor and marriage ministry pastor. Andy is an advocate for mental health awareness as he has known the heaviness of depression himself. That battle with depression led Andy to tip the scales at 345 lbs. He was Self medicating a crisis in his family with food. He and his wife Tiffany decided to change that, losing over 350 lbs. combined. They have co-founded a health coaching business called Taking Back My Life, where they have helped thousands of people get healthy and well. Andy is also host of the When Words Don’t Come Easy podcast, and he has authored a book with the same name. You’ll hear more about that in our conversation. He lives with his wife, Tiffany, in Bryan, Texas and their three beautiful daughters, Payton, Parker, and Presley.

OTHER EPISODES IN THIS SERIES:

EPISODE 70: When God Doesn’t Answer Our Prayers the Way We Hoped He Would

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Andy’s WEBSITE

Andy’s podcast: When Words Don’t Come Easy

Andy’s book: When Words Don’t Come Easy

Catherine’s episode with Andy on When Words Don’t Come Easy—From Grief to Redemption: Catherine Segars’ Powerful Story of Faith, Love, and Redemption

CPCW Episode 66: “How Can A Good God Allow So Much Evil and Suffering in the World? (w/ Dr. Douglas Groothuis)”

SCRIPTURE’S REFERENCED:

Isaiah 61:1-4

Psalm 23

Matthew 7:24-27

Luke 4:14-30