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Writer's pictureBrittany Geiter

Raw and Real: My Journey Through the Darkness

I have so many updates to share, but first, I want to be raw, honest, and real with you all. The last six months have been incredibly rough. The move from Florida to South Carolina, wrapping up school, and the heartbreaking loss of my brother have weighed heavily on my heart. Throughout it all, I’ve been battling a familiar foe: depression and anxiety.


I know this struggle all too well. It robs me of my joy, my energy, and even the will to do basic things, like cleaning or taking a shower. It can lurk in the background, but other times, it takes over completely.


When my brother passed away, I was flooded with questions: Why God? Why him? Why not me? I often felt like I was the sick one, while he was vibrant and full of life. This loss ignited a deep longing within my spirit for a renewed connection with God. Yet, for reasons I can’t fully explain—perhaps out of stubbornness—I hesitated to reach out.


A few months after his passing, I began to pray quietly, asking God what I needed to do to lift myself out of this darkness for the sake of my family. The answer I kept receiving was clear: “You know what you need to do.” For me, that meant seeking medication for my depression and anxiety. Since starting treatment, things have improved, but my desire to reconnect with God has only grown stronger.


When discussions about moving to Tennessee arose, I felt a mix of excitement and doubt. I told Paul, “If this feels forced, we won’t do it.” I prayed continuously about it, making a list of potential homes. The first house we looked at felt right, and we put down the deposit. Since then, we’ve experienced what I like to call “God winks”—those little moments that feel like divine confirmation.


About three weeks ago, I felt a strong thought placed in my mind: I needed to find a church that was specifically inclusive for Logan, accessible for me, and had great music. I acted on that feeling and made a post on Facebook asking for recommendations. The response was incredible, with many replies pouring in. One reply stood out—a message from a woman who has since become a dear friend. She explained that she has two children with disabilities and shared information about Greenhouse, the church we now attend. She connected me with the pastor's wife, and together we planned for Logan's first Sunday visit.

(Shameless plug about my friend, her name is Julia Erman, She founded The Hazelnut Movement. The Hazelnut Movement is a program run under Luke 14 Ministries an official 501 (C) (3) From the website; "At the Hazelnut Movement, we believe that storytelling is the catalyst for compassion. Through one book at a time, we aim to initiate those crucial conversations."

Here is a link to her site if you are interested, I will also be doing a full blog post about the movement soon! www.juliaerman.co


Since joining Greenhouse, I’ve felt a fire ignited within me. I honestly can’t describe it any other way. I believe God led us to Athens for a reason, and we were meant to be part of this church community. What the future holds, I’m not sure, but I’m committed to being obedient, brave, and stepping out in faith.


I know some of you don’t come here for preaching, and I promise this isn’t a regular theme unless I feel led to share. This is simply something I wanted to express from my heart. God has brought me through so much in life, and I can’t help but recognize His hand in it all.


I’ll be posting more blogs in the coming days and will choose a specific day each week for new content. I’m excited to grow and learn alongside all of you.


If there are specific topics you’d like us to cover—tips, tricks, or just questions about our journey—please feel free to ask. We’d love to connect and share!


Thank you for allowing me to share this part of my life with you. Let’s continue to find the good in this world together.



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