Now, as a woman rooted in Scripture and prayer, Michelle reflects on how her rhythms with God have brought peace she never imagined—and how you can find the same in your own life.
In this Formation Conversation, we sit down with Michelle to hear how God has been forming her over two decades—from heartbreak and a painful beginning, to the redemptive journey of raising her son Caleb.
Michelle found herself overwhelmed, scarred, and alone—carrying the weight of trauma and an unplanned pregnancy. She didn’t know how she would raise a child on her own, or how to find hope again. But what began in chaos slowly became a story of unexpected grace. Because in time, God would use her son to lead her to faith.
Michelle shares:
What it felt like to navigate single motherhood while working multiple jobs
The moment her toddler invited her to church—and everything began to shift
How rhythms of Scripture, prayer journaling, and worship help her stay rooted today
The faith communities that showed up and helped raise both her and her son
And the peace she now experiences in this new season of life as an empty nester
Whether you're in the middle of a storm or just coming out of one, Michelle’s story reminds us that God meets us in the mess—and forms us through it.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Michelle
01:15 – Rapid-fire questions: Coffee, hiking, music, and motherhood
07:35 – Spiritual rhythms: Scripture after work and worship while driving
12:45 – Giving birth, facing a decision, and the moment she fell in love with her son
17:00 – Caleb’s invitation: “Mom, you’ve got to come to church”
20:00 – When the bus ministry showed up at her apartment
23:00 – Getting saved and baptized together with her son
25:00 – Realizing God was writing a love story
27:00 – Learning to pray—for others, even strangers
28:15 – Her current rhythm: Devotional, prayer journal, color-coded Scripture
33:30 – Encouragement for those unsure how to start praying
36:00 – Being shaped by her faith community
38:00 – Recent verses that are anchoring her now
40:00 – A new season of peace as an empty nester
44:00 – Watching Caleb now serve and lead others
47:00 – Final encouragement: “Just try it. You’ve got to be open to receive it.”
Want to hear more stories like Michelle’s?
Visit White Oak’s Formation page to take your next step:
https://thewocc.com/formation
