When I Said Yes: How God Turned My Pain Into Purpose by Carolyn Deck

I didn’t set out to write a book.

I certainly didn’t expect to win two international awards. I was just trying to survive the echoes of a broken, dysfunctional childhood—the kind that leaves cracks in your soul no one else can see. 

But God saw them. And one day, He gently whispered, “Write.” 

It wasn’t about publishing or platforms. It was about obedience. Saying yes to that quiet but persistent nudge from the Lord meant revisiting some of the darkest corners of my past. It meant facing memories I had buried deep—hurts, lies, and wounds I had carried for far too long. 

As I wrote, I realized I wasn’t alone. God was walking with me, word by word, page by page. He gave me the space, time, and grace to heal. I didn’t know it then, but He was rebuilding me—restoring the pieces of my heart I thought were lost forever. 

Above the Turbulence. Your Ticket Out of Pain to Purpose, the book that came out of that sacred journey, has now been recognized in two categories by the International Impact Book Awards. That still humbles me. Not because of the accolades, but because of what they represent: the beauty that flows from obedience; the healing that comes when we let God into our pain; the hope that rises when we dare to believe our story isn’t over—and that it might even help someone else. 

And that’s exactly what God had in mind. 

At a writers’ conference, I met a fellow author who shared about his foundation in Uganda—faceswithnames.org, supporting orphans and widows with love, shelter, and hope. As he spoke, something stirred in my heart. I knew instantly: this is what God wants to do with my story. 

That unexpected meeting became a divine partnership. Today, all proceeds from “Above the Turbulence” go directly to this beautiful mission. Lives are being touched across the world—not just through the words in my book, but through the hearts it helps feed, clothe, and remind: you ARE seen. 

It still brings me to tears. Because only God can take a shattered heart and make it a vessel of healing. Only He can use our trauma—not to shame us, but to shape us for something greater. 

If you’re carrying pain right now—if your past feels too heavy, your story too messy—I want you to hear this clearly: your pain has purpose. The same loving Father who walked me through my healing wants to do the same for you. One gentle step at a time.

That’s why I wrote “Above the Turbulence.”… it was all God’s idea. God’s plan for me is to share my story—AND to hand tools others can use in their pain. In your pain. Inside are simple but powerful truths you can apply right now—practices and reflections that create space for God to work. It’s not a quick fix, but a faithful walk. No need to walk alone anymore. 

What began as my personal healing journey has become something far beyond me. It’s now a book, a mission, and a movement of hope. And I believe it can be the start of yours too. 

So let me ask you: What if your pain isn’t the end of your story… but the beginning of someone else’s healing? 

God turned my “yes” into something I never could’ve imagined. He can do the same with yours. Begin your journey today. 

Let “Above the Turbulence” be your first step. REMEMBER: you find hope and restoration for your own life, but every copy you purchase supports vulnerable children and widows through faceswithnames.org. 

Because when we say yes to healing, God says yes to multiplying it. 

Meet Carolyn:

Wife of 34 years, proud mum of five adult children, former travel agent, and now an international award-winning author of Above the Turbulence—a book born from obedience and overflowing with purpose. 

Raised in a broken, dysfunctional family, Carolyn’s story is one of raw pain transformed into healing and hope. When God called her to write, she didn’t just revisit her past—she walked it hand-in-hand with the Lord, finding restoration every step of the way. 

Her book is a creative narrative uniquely written—each short chapter is a real journey, threaded with life lessons, spiritual truths, and gentle tools that readers can apply right away. Whether you’re rebuilding your own life or walking with others through theirs, these pages offer light for the path. 

It’s a must-read for authors, too—proof that when we say “yes” to God’s call, He writes a story far greater than we could imagine. 

Even more beautiful? All proceeds go to faceswithnames.org, supporting orphans and widows in Uganda. 

Carolyn’s life, her words, and her message carry one truth: God never wastes pain—He turns it into purpose. 

Connect:

Book link: Amazon
Embrace The Vision Uganda: YouTube
FB: Carolyn.Deck
IG: Carolyn.Deck