I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18 NIV)

Monique Pettaway-Ray was in the process of living her best life.

At least, she sensed she was.

As Pettaway-Ray recalled like yesterday, she was approximately six months removed from having exchanged nuptials with the man of her dreams.

As if that wasn’t enough to bring her to all smiles, she had eventually landed a rather commendable entry-level position as a middle school science instructor in Huntsville, Alabama.

Life, as she knew it, was the life she sensed she fully deserved, was the life she had worked so diligently to reap and possess with God, her Helper, leading the way.

Then just like that, the enemy — just as he always does — had ultimately showed his true colors, considering Pettaway-Ray’s life had suddenly “imploded,” according to a spokesperson for her book entitled, “Incarcerated But Free: How To find Freedom From Your Mental Prison.”

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That’s because her newlywed husband was consequently convicted for murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

“A vital part of her life was ripped from her and Monique didn’t know how to cope,” according to a spokesperson in a detailed breakdown of her September 2007 released book.

Fast forward some 11 years later, Pettaway-Ray, a longtime educator for the Mobile (Ala.) County Public Schools System, has deemed it essential to collectively share of her assortment of life-changing testimonies through another awe-inspiring project along with a host of other writers.

A native of  Saraland, Alabama, Pettaway-Ray is amongst a gallery of accomplished authors who have joined forces to compose the book, “I Rise, Living Beyond The Bruises.”

An empowering, kingdom-advancing written document, “I Rise, Living Beyond The Bruises” is forwarded by Flint, Michigan-based author Precious S. Brown and is scheduled to make its official release on the market on December 17.

During a recent interview with Making Headline News, Pettaway-Ray was complementary of Brown for obeying the Voice of God by establishing a notable platform for her and other authors to tell of God’s goodness through their slew of trials and tribulations.

“I chose to be a part of this book, because there are so many people who are living in their own mental prison who don’t have a support system or guidance to help them overcome their pains,” Pettaway-Ray said. “This book will help women find healing and support they are seeking.”

All things considered, amongst the things about which Pettaway-Ray found especially intriguing was Brown’s keen ability to fortify agape love, coupled with her willingness to display transparency.

“I began the journey of writing this book when I teamed up with Precious Brown of Kilgore Publishing,” Pettaway-Ray explained. “She told me about her vision of this current book and when I heard the title, I truly felt in my spirit that this was a book I definitely wanted to be a part of, because I believe everyone has a story and that everyone’s story can inspire hope and change someone’s life.”

Having made her authorship debut a little more than a decade ago, Pettaway-Ray’s “Incarcerated But Free: How To find Freedom From Your Mental Prison” took somewhere in the neighborhood of about five years to compose.

As for her latest project, it didn’t take as long, in large part because all things considered, God had already showed Himself strong amid the enemy having shown his true colors.

“Before God called me to the ministry, I was broken, hurt, and confused. It was only after I rededicated my life to Christ that God began to reveal to me His purpose for my life. Since then, God has delivered me from my pain and now I am on a mission to help women overcome their challenges and be healed from their past hurts. — Monique Pettaway-Ray

“Because when a woman can be healed from her hurts, she is free to live that abundant life that Christ promised in scripture.”

The abundant, much to Pettaway-Ray’s delight, is something by which she has thoroughly possessed even after having endured arguably the darkest season of her life.

Yep. That’s just like God.

BUY MONIQUE’S BOOK HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Incarcerated-But-Free-Freedom-Mental/dp/1462027393

“The message I am sending to people is that regardless of what you have been through or what experiences you have had, you can still be a vessel used by God,” Pettaway-Ray said. “You just have to realize that there are gifts and talents that lie deep inside and God just wants us to be willing to use those gifts for his glory.

“A gift is not a gift unless you give it to someone,” Pettaway continued. “God expects us to use our gifts for the purpose of helping others. It’s never too late to fulfill passion, purpose, or the power that God has placed inside of you. God only wants a willing vessel.”

Pettaway-Ray would know for sure, considering she’s a vessel who has deemed it a foregone conclusion to be used by God Almighty.

For more information Mobile, Alabama-area Author Monique Pettaway-Ray, or to schedule her for a public appearance, a book signing, or speaking engagement, connect with her via social media at: https://www.facebook.com/monique.pettaway. Also, send email to: [email protected].

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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.