What I Wish I Knew When {Podcast #703}

Have you ever said, “if only I could go back and tell myself ______”?

Or thought to yourself, “If only I had known!”?

Well, you’re not alone, sister.

Far too often we find ourselves wondering if things would be different today if we had made different choices twenty years ago. We see our children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews growing up and wishing we could shake them into not making the same mistakes that we did. However, looking back on what feels like regrets can also be an outlet for praising God for the work he had done in our lives and just how far we’ve come.

Podcast Cover 2

That’s exactly what happened on this episode of the More to Be Podcast. I sat down with Perry Ashley and Lavonda McCullough to talk about what we wish we knew when. We reflected on the lies we believed, the sin that kept us trapped, and the insecurities that kept us from living the life God intended for us. The best part of the conversation — it allowed us to be full of gratitude for how far the Lord has carried us.

If you are feeling discouraged and in need of a reminder of the Father’s immense love and grace, then this episode is for you.


Perry Ashley is passionate about helping women overcome negative self-talk and mindset barriers so they can navigate life with inner peace and fully understand how God created them by embracing their unique strengths, gifts, values, and personality. Walking people through where they currently are, seeing where they want to go, identifying and overcoming obstacles, and establishing an action plan is not new for Perry, as she developed these skills over 26 years of being a physical therapist. She utilizes a mental fitness program to help women renew their minds and take every thought captive according to Scripture. Perry is a wife and mother, active in ministry, and considers herself a life-long learner. She seeks respite in the outdoors by camping, boating, backpacking, and participating in wilderness adventures. Connect with Perry at theothersideofgray.com

Lavonda McCullough is the founder of Joyful Journey Women’s Ministry, and specializes in women empowerment with a Christian-based approach. She is the host of the annual RefresHER retreat offering women the opportunity to experience how to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit, develop an intimate relationship with God and experience their own divine encounter. Originally from North Carolina, LaVonda has traveled throughout Europe and Africa speaking about healing through the power of prayer and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  Connect with LaVonda at lavondamccullough.com


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Truths to Remember

I wish I knew back then that having a relationship with Jesus was so much more important than just knowing about Him. – Lavonda

Lavonda Quote 1

Joshua 1:8 CSB – This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.

It is important when we turn the corner from realizing that being a Christian is not about just reading the Bible and praying, but that it is about when the heart connects with Jesus. – Perry

Perry Quote 1

We have to ask ourselves if we are seeing the world through the lens of God and his word. – Elisa

It goes back to being still enough to hear and learn from the Holy Spirit. – Lavonda

Psalm 139:14 ESV – I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Bible Quote 1

I lost my identity — it was all wrapped up in what I was doing and not in who I was. – Perry

Taking time to understand myself made me love God even more. – Perry

Paying attention to how God made you turns into a praising of His design. – Elisa

Elisa Quote 1

Understanding our wiring becomes a lens through which we can see other people’s uniqueness and move into cooperation with them rather than conflict – Elisa

What I wish I knew when, was that the secret to being the woman that God wanted me to be was giving him full access to my heart. – Elisa

Ezekiel 36:26-27 ESV – And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Until you learn to forgive, you will not be able to live in the full potential God has for you. – Lavonda

How can we hold God’s word in our hearts when we have hearts of stone and not of flesh? – Lavonda


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