busted, broke, abandoned, incarcerated, or worse--thrown into the fire. She lived up to her surname--Savage--a wild child by nature. Being wild left Shonda empty and wanting more. A wild olive tree can not bear tasty fruit; it is sour and good for nothing.

Shonda desired to be nourished, loved and cared for. She wanted to be wanted. She took a taste of the cultivated olive tree with savory fruit. But then the accuser planted seeds of fear. She thought, "How can Jesus love me after all I've done? How can I be a part of a church of people who probably have never done anything wrong?" She ran farther away from HIM. She went back to the only love she had ever known-ever so temporary and void. Lacking.

She ran until she was like a broken off branch that started to wither. Lying there wasting away. Her name, Shonda, means God is gracious. By God's loving grace, when she called out to Him, He picked her up though a battered branch and He grafted her into the Root, who is Christ. Now she is nourished, loved, accepted and flourishing under the hand of the Master Gardener. Season by season she has been given life by the One who came so she could have life. Meeting Him personally through each pruning, He shows Himself to be faithful and true. Now there is no turning back.

Shonda's determination to know God personally has lead to her pursuit to study His word faithfully. Through her life experiences, Shonda writes to encourage others. Her freelance work has been published in local newspapers, local monthly magazines, Standard Publishing Sunday School curriculum and online women devotional sites. Shonda currently writes bi-monthly columns and serves as Editor for Take Root and Write. She has an interactive online ministry of devotions and prayers that minister to people around the world.

Shonda speaks from her passion for the Lord. She desires to see women apply the truth of His Living Word to their lives. Shonda desires to point others around the world to the One and Only Savior, Jesus Christ. Women receive encouragement from her through their discussions. She openly shares her experiences and lessons from the Lord with others. She's soft, gentle, humorous, and discerning.

Shonda is married to her husband of 21 years, Eldon. They have two boys--one experiencing life as a young adult and the other son attending middle school.