Heroes – Darbi Wray
We all have heroes. Who is yours? When I was younger, I had a much different idea of a hero than I do as a mature woman. Heroes in my life are people, my angels, who play an important role in my journey.
Many, many days in my life, I’ve needed a hero. Someone to show up. Someone to be there, to give a darn, to be stronger than me when I fall, and to help me up when I can’t stand on my own.
April 6th is a day that stands out for me.
It’s my great-grandfather’s birthday, and he was my hero more than once.
It’s also the birthday of my friends Emily and Sarah; both ladies have been my heroes a time or two.
It’s also the day my life took a different turn FOREVER…
On April 6th, 2009, I was arrested by the Casper Police Department due to an active warrant for obtaining prescriptions under false pretenses (basically, prescription fraud)…
It was most definitely the worst day of my life and the worst day of my husband’s (now ex-husband’s) life…
My world flipped completely upside down in a matter of two hours that morning…
But, this is not a story of failure, ruin, pity, or fear…
This is a story of redemption, courage, grit, resilience, strength, sanctification, and rebirth.
Because I was reborn at that time in my life… I was granted a “do-over”…
I spent the worst 4 months of my life in Natrona County Detention Center…
That is where I’d hit my lowest bottom…
But, it’s also where my walk with the Lord began…
At that moment, I was separated from my children, husband, family, friends, career, and the life I knew for 27 years…
All because of my own actions and choices… I met amazing people in there (seriously), and one was my hero for those 4 months…
I found out who was really there for me and who wasn’t…
I know it was hard for them…
But, I was released after 4 months (even though on paper-I deserved years in prison for the crimes I committed)…
I moved to a small town in the mountains of Wyoming for treatment, not knowing I was beginning this amazing new journey!
Now, 12 years later…
I have an absolutely amazing life…
I love my world…
It’s a great day to be alive!!!!
I have the closest relationship with God I’ve ever had…
Almost 11 years of ACTUAL life recovery…
I have a husband who loves me…
My daughters are well-adjusted, resilient, strong, capable, amazing young women…
I have family who loves me…
I have a beautiful home…
A community of friends and supporters who are amazing…
I am free to live any life I want to…
All because I chose to live and continue to choose daily-a different path after my crash and burn…
I took the road of vulnerability, honesty, integrity, courage, strength, humility, perseverance, love, sacrifice, and accountability, which is not easy…
I’ve had so much help along the way…
And I love all my heroes for it!
My journey is far from over, and far from perfect and carefree, but I love every step of it!
Life is crazy…takes us to places we would never have imagined…
I’ve had (and continue to have) bumps, bruises, heartbreaks, successes, celebrations, new beginnings, a thousand opportunities, love, peace, growth, and joy!
I learned to be my own hero if I absolutely need to, relying only on Him for strength, falling, and allowing him to purify me through fire if need be.
I love waking up, being excited about each day!
I hope that feeling never ever ends for me…
I love life, I love my Lord and Savior, love my heroes, and I love myself. Jesus himself said we will have tribulation-troubles, woes, challenges, crises, etc…
BUT, He has overcome the world! John 16:33
What do you need to overcome today?
Who is your hero to help you?
How will you lean on Him?
Three questions we need to ask ourselves every day…
Oh, and don’t forget to be someone else’s hero.
Meet Darbi
Darbi is a hard-working wife, mother, nurse, and counselor. She’s also a coach, mentor, and entrepreneur who has been blessed with a beautiful life. She had to work hard to get where she is and received help along the way. Now, she wants to pass that help on to others.
Be sure to connect with Darbi on Facebook and Instagram.