I was born and raised in beautiful East Texas, a place where tall pine trees and good people are abundant.
I gave my heart to Jesus at the age of twelve in a small country church. As I grew older and began to encounter various life experiences, I found that writing served as an outlet to share my faith while honoring God and encouraging others. I love sharing God’s faithfulness and His desire for a personal relationship with each of us through His Son, Jesus Christ. I am comforted by the truth in God’s Word that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and that whatever we may go through, we will not walk alone.
God has been so good to me as I continue to maneuver the loss of my daughter, Shelly in late 2016. For over 17 months, my family and I devoted ourselves to Shelly’s care as she bravely battled pancreatic cancer. While we suffered an unimaginable trauma, feeling helpless to save Shelly, we recognized that it was God’s strength that was carrying Shelly and us through the storm. Shelly’s faith was strong as she smiled and acknowledged God’s help, even through the pain. She often tried to comfort us by saying, “God is good.” “He has a plan.” “Everything is going to be okay.”
After Shelly’s passing, my role as “Mimi” expanded to that of caregiver/grandmother/mother, for Shelly and her husbands 4-year old daughter, Sophie. I am very thankful for this season of life…a bittersweet, unexpected opportunity that I was given. It was not been easy, but very rewarding. I love Sophie more than I can say and know that the two of us will always have an unbreakable bond. There is no doubt in my mind that our hearts will be intertwined forever.
Currently, Sophie is a smart, happy, and full of life fifth grader who asked Jesus to come into her heart on October 19, 2021. Praise God for Sophie’s new spiritual birthdate! Additionally, her dad remarried in early October 2021. Naturally, things have changed a bit, but I am thankful for the opportunity to continue making myself available as I offer support for Sophie and her family on an as needed basis.
My family and I will always bear the scars and grief from a time we’d rather not have gone through, but God was faithful through it all. Personally, He continues to be my shelter, my confidence, my guide, and my resting place. As time goes by, you will read more about God’s goodness during that very hard season.
My love for writing began when I was in third grade, but it took many years of life’s experiences, both good and bad, before I felt comfortable sharing my deepest spiritual thoughts. I am very thankful that God has given me a small platform on which I am able to serve Him with love and humility.
The Resting Place has been created with each of you in mind. No doubt, in the “busyness” of our lives, we all long for time away to rest, relax, and renew ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I pray that together we will grow in our faith as we partake of the life-giving water that Jesus offers.
Friends, I am here to offer encouragement and only God knows where our journey will take us. My prayer is that you will find needed strength and rest for your soul so that you are able to pass God’s love along to others.
Read my “Why Am I Here?” Post here.
Carolyn Canizales has been married to her husband, Ray, for 35 years. They live in Central Texas and are parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Both are retired from the Round Rock Independent School District. They have been members of Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, Texas for over 35 years and have served in their church choir, orchestra, and children’s ministry. Carolyn and Ray remain active members of The Gideons International, an association of business and professional men and their wives who are dedicated to sharing their faith and making God’s Holy Word available to everyone around the world.
To date, Carolyn has written inspirational guest articles for both state and local publications, as well as many articles and devotionals for a previous blog and on social media. She has other projects ongoing and plans to publish her first book entitled, Lifestories, Poems, and Memories, in mid-2023, as well as The Resting Place Devotinal book soon thereafter.