“There is a sacred quality to words. They are not information but revelation.” – Eugene Peterson
2021 I have been working at my husband’s company for the last five years. A lot has changed in that time. I plan in 2021 to do more writing and photography.
I’m no saint, but I long to be worthy. I’m a missionary kid who discovered I had no grace-filled faith of my own, but found the way back to a relationship with Jesus after leaving full-time ministry, accepting the sacrifices of motherhood at-home, becoming a drunk and then sober, being deeply depressed and throughout it all, working to be more accepting of myself and others. I am a writer and photographer. I live to write another day and to use any power or influence I have for good.
I began this blog four months after I got sober. Its purpose then was to process my sobriety and try to find community. It also became an outlet for questioning faith, along with processing a painful sometimes abusive childhood and the depression that has been with me, on and off, for decades. Threaded throughout you will find a bit of processing being an at-home mother of four (three biological children and my step-daughter. She calls me, her “other Mom”.) I’ve been happily married several decades to a Music Man, who has made a successful career in business making it possible for me to be a writer, at-home mother, and sometimes photographer. He’s passionate about making music in his studio in our basement and has several wonderful CDs. I’d urge you to listen.
As a feminist I struggle to accept this role at-home and write about that tension, as well as the stress and heartache I experience being an Egalitarian in a Complementarian church. I work to be humble and yet faithful to my head and heart.
I have essays and poems published in these books:
Not Alone:Stories of Living with Depression, Civitas Press, 2011;
Finding Church: Stories of Leaving, Switching and Reforming, Civitas Press, 2012;
Not Afraid: Stories of Confronting Fear, Civitas Press, 2013;
Disquiet Time: Rants and Reflections on the Good Book by the Skeptical, the Faithful, and a Few Scoundrels published by Jericho Books, (available for pre-order now) Oct 2014.
I am a former member of the Redbud Writers Guild and have written for Provoketive magazine, SheLoves magazine and Today’s Christian Woman magazine.
My blog is quiet even contemplative. I know you are reading, because you send me many private messages of similar experiences and appreciation for my writing and more than 1,500 people get my email notifications when I write. I’m so thankful for my readers over the many years of the life of this blog. You will not find controversy to generate traffic, only words that push people to think differently about faith and disbelief, mental illness, addiction, and motherhood.
My blog contains more than 100 poems, years of essays and original photographs. Stay and read a while.
Enjoy!
Melody Harrison Hanson
All photography and words are my own unless noted.
“The only opportunity you will ever have to live by faith is in the circumstances you are provided this very day: this house you live in, this family you find yourself in, this job you have been given, the weather conditions that prevail at the …moment.” ― Eugene H. Peterson
Logic & Imagination 
Hi Melody! Thanks for following my blog, “Woman, in Progress…” I look forward to journeying with you on this adventure called the writing life! :)
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
I totally relate to you about FB and other social media, by the way. I feel similarly, and so I fasted from FB and Twitter for Lent. It is a strange combination, is it not, that we spiritual writers need much time for the health of our inner life; and yet, we must be active in order to have an attractive platform? Interesting juxtaposition, indeed! Many blessings to you!
LikeLike
Yeah, so much so! I found the Calvin Festival of Faith & Writing to be just what I needed right now. Learned so much – I have a moleskin full and a mind and heart bursting (just need time to process and write about it.) Peace.
LikeLike
Just found your blog…love the name, the quotes, the insights, the life. And resonate with you about the need for quiet [and the paradox of also needing a public presence.] Write on…
LikeLike
Annie – thank you so much for your encouragement which comes at the most necessary of times. Melody
LikeLike
I look forward to reading more of your blogs.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Lovely site. Gladly discovered. :)
LikeLike
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the structure of your blog?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to
say. But maybe you could a little more in the way
of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one
or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
LikeLike
Hi Melody, I recently found a piece of poetry I believe was written by my great cousin Tom Hanson who was my Grandmother’s brother and I have tried to find it on the internet to see if it was published or in fact was it actually written by him and wondered if you are related as you came up in my search for him. He was a Derby man of 12 sibblings born around the early 1900’s. Sorry to bother you if this person has nothing to do with you.
LikeLike
Hi Donna, Sorry to only be reading this now. My husband is Robert Thomas (Tom) Hanson. No relation.
LikeLike
Hi Melody,
Thank you for taking the time to reply to me.
LikeLike
I have not read it all but I am amazed Mel. Sharing your story with the world takes courage. Congrats on your sobriety! Not easy to beat addiction. thank you for letting me into your world. Can not wait to see and read more!
Linda H.
LikeLike
Hi Melody
I just read your story about loving the drunk
My wife is an alcoholic, she is at that falling down stage
My feeling is we are on the verge of losing everything if it continues
I’m alone
I want to live like your husband but I’m far behind that, most times I loathe what she has done to myself and our children
God seems to have left
I’m depressed
She even more so but won’t get help
There’s constant anxiety in my gut and a blanket of pain
How do you reconcile the thought that the ship your sailing might just sink this way? There may not be a happy ending?
LikeLike
I’m so sorry to just see this today.
It warrents a thoughtful response and I’m heading to work. I will get back to you tonight.
LikeLike
Hi Brenden, I was glad to hear from you. And I apologize for not seeing your comment sooner.
Have you considered seeking help for yourself? There are many excellent addiction counselors, they played a big role in my recovery. When you get some support this will feel less helpless. You are not alone but that’s what it feels like. The isolation is unbearable.
I know it seems as if your wife will never be well. That’s scary. She has to choose. In the meantime, pray that God will move in her. Getting support for yourself is the most important first step.
And now I am praying with you.
Peace of Christ, Melody
LikeLike