Dear Patricia

Thank you for visiting the Dear Patricia page. It was designed with you in mind. Patricia receives letters from women across the nation admitting their struggle and their shame. We will periodically post letters and her biblically based answers to encourage others. Please know that we will protect your privacy. We invite you to share your story or ask your questions via email: patricia@shametoglory.org

A Word from Patricia

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I was shackled in an abusive marriage for almost ten years…my husband and I requested counseling from our pastor, but the counseling proved futile, and we went our separate ways. However, the pastor pursued a relationship with me. His hidden troubled past was attracted to my apparent neediness, and instead of turning to God for refuge, we turned to one another and soon became intimately involved. Shortly, after this relationship ended, I was nominated to be a contestant in a city wide pageant; and to my surprise, I won the title! I was viewed as a princess by many; but inwardly I could not embrace the title, for I knew where I had been…. “ I'll always remember that when I was in the valley of shame, loneliness and despair, He crowned me a “Princess”. Who can explain the love of God? His mercy? His grace?

Because of His love, I received Beauty for Ashes and transitioned from Shame to Glory. God's restoration is for everyone, including you.

Beauty for Ashes

Patricia Harris

Letters from You

Dear Patricia:

I am the bookstore manager. We carry your book, Imprisoned by Secrets of the Heart in our store. I wanted to write to let you know that I have never read anything so powerful. The whole time I was reading your book I felt my life story was being told. So many things you talked about I can personally identify with. I won't go into details in this e-mail but I will say I am experiencing some of the same imprisoned feelings, hurts, shame and worthlessness. In reading your book I believe God has given me some direction on how to deal with the secrets of my heart.

Mrs. Harris I want to commend you on your courage and commitment to write about the secrets of your heart. I especially want to express my admiration to your husband for having the love of God to stand by your side. You see, I too have a loving, God fearing husband who continues to support me. I don't always feel I deserve his love. I have not been able to forgive myself for my past secrets. But, after reading your book I am confident that there are "Keys" to my freedom.

Lastly, I was so overwhelmed by the prayers at the end. I cried so hard while reading them. I thank God for allowing our paths to cross in this book. I have had this book in my store for a couple of months. While straightening the books on the shelf one day, something told me to pick it up and I couldn't put it down. I wish I had the support you had in your quest. I don't feel that there is anyone I can tell about my secrets except God. Sometimes I feel so lonely.

In closing, I ask that you pray for my strength to overcome as you have and to be able to share my deliverance one day with others.

Name withheld

Dear Patricia:

Thanks for sending this information, I will surely buy the material and work through the study outline and let you know how it turns out. Since I’ve read your book and heard your story and lot has changed in my life. I feel so much better about myself. Now I am able to be an encourager to others. Before, I felt I had to keep quiet because I was not worthy to encourage someone else because of my terrible secret.

Again, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Had I not seen your face that day on television, I would still be walking under that horrible shadow. Until later, God bless you and yours.

Name withheld

Dear Patricia:

You are indeed a woman of God. God has raised you to bring this message of deliverance to so many women who are suffering in silence. I can't just say how your book has started changing my life. I have experienced some inner release of some of the heaviness that I have been carrying for a long time.

I would like to attend one of your sessions on Shame to Glory. Could you please write to me and let me know of the next meeting.

I am residing in the London , UK and I am a Student Nurse.

Name withheld

Dear Patricia:

Thank you so much for responding to me. I had spent a few ugly hours

(within myself) just before getting your message and the things that you

said turned my heart around. I cannot put into words how much I am awed by God's goodness, grace and mercy to me.

I would love to be able come to one of your conferences, but I so value your response to me. Thank you for your words, "Always be honest with yourself." I understand. I am talking honestly with Jesus about everything I feel and find it impossible to do it on my own and I intend to follow your lead - pursue God as the top priority in my life. I want to feel His presence - I want to be the prodigal daughter who comes home in the truest sense.

You asked if I'd read the Keys to your Freedom. I have and need to reread them periodically but can tell you that God has put other resources in my lap to help me. The prayers at the end of the book are beautiful - some are hard for me (I'm being honest). Music has meant so very much to me for a long time - especially worship music and I am doing as you suggest. This morning I just wanted to be able to tear open my chest to give Him my heart. I was reading Psalms this morning - the Scriptures you referenced and others and was led to 103. It's so beautiful and thoughts came to me that I wrote in the margins of my Bible as a reminder of this time - the question came to me, "If my heart is dark in any way - how can darkness worship light?"

No more secrets of the heart. I will examine my motives constantly. I long to be consumed with my love for Him. I know I need His healing in my heart and life. I don’t know all He will ask of me but I am asking Him to help me to do whatever He has called me to do. I want so desperately to feel His presence and I intend to do all that you suggest, trusting that I will experience all that you have. Believe me, if it were possible to attend one of your conferences, I would. I will stay in touch. Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing back. You asked me if I was in a place of desperation for Him – ready to cling to Him and nothing else. To be honest, I am still weak but I believe I am on my way. I will do as you said to do.

Patricia, you and your story are a very personal part of my heart and life. Thank you in Jesus’ name.

Name Withheld

Dear Patricia:

I emailed you sometime last week letting you know how much your book is ministering to me. I am almost done. I am on page 165. After I complete the book, I will email you regarding what I went through in the past. Right now, I am in a terrible storm and I am experiencing demonic forces. When I read that in your book, I was like, my God, someone knows what I am talking about. I am going through a real heavy storm right now. I just really need you to pray for me. I need some strong, real people praying for me.

Right now, I haven't joined another church. I don't know who to trust; therefore, I don't have a covering. I am praying that God will keep me in the midst of the storm. There was a moment when I just thought God had forgotten all about me. Now I know that He is with me. I don't feel Him, but I know He is there. If He wasn't I would be losing my mind right now. I really, really need you to pray for me......

Name withheld

We invite you to share your story or ask your questions: patricia@shametoglory.org