Come and sit beneath the palm.

My identity changed, and so did many parts of my life. I faced financial pressure, childcare challenges and the stigma that can come with divorce. I wasn’t prepared for how difficult that season would be, and it was hard to imagine that anything good could come from it.

In the middle of that pain, I began reading about Deborah. In a difficult time for Israel, people came to her beneath a palm tree for guidance and help. Her story challenged me to look beyond my own struggles and consider how I might support other women.

Little by little, things began to fall into place. I saw doors open and women find support. In the middle of my pain, I began to discover purpose. God’s love grew in me a desire to reach out to other women and help create a place that could be an anchor of hope.

I’m still walking through healing, growing in strength and finding peace. That is what I hope for every woman who comes to The Palm: a place to be heard, encouraged and supported as she finds her own way forward.

You can connect with us through The Palm Experience, The Palm Support Circle and Coffee and Conversation.

Many of us freeze when someone loses a loved one. We may worry about saying the wrong thing, or wonder whether something could have been done differently. When I lost a dear friend, grief overwhelmed me. Talking with someone at The Palm reminded me that my friend had not been forgotten, and that was a gift.

It can be hard for someone who is grieving to go out, socialise or accept help. You could make them a cup of tea, listen, sit beside them or gently help them find support. Sometimes being present, and sharing a quiet moment, is enough.

Grief touches so many of us, and no one should face it alone, especially at Christmas, when an empty chair can feel very loud.

“Mourn with those who mourn.”Romans 12:15

Rebuilding confidence takes time. It rarely happens all at once; it grows through small steps, encouragement and the chance to try again. Be patient with yourself as you rediscover your strengths and begin to trust your own abilities again.

Notice the small wins: a conversation you were nervous about, an application sent, a day you got through. Like a tree by the water, growth often happens quietly, below the surface, long before anyone sees fruit.

“Like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.”Psalm 1:3

Roots matter. A palm spends its early years putting down roots, deep enough to reach water others can’t find. What do you draw strength from when no one is watching?

Bending is not breaking. In a storm the palm bends, sometimes almost to the ground, and rises again when the wind passes. Feeling bowed down doesn’t mean you have failed.

Fruit takes time. The Bible says those who flourish like a palm “will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” (Psalm 92:14). For Christians, that strength comes from being rooted in God’s love. For every woman, it is a reminder to be patient with her own growth.