“Lean into the cracked places of the soul,
where darkness and light mingle,
and God can be found waiting with open arms.”
Susie Teramura

We all have those cracked places in our souls. We’re all broken ones who hurt and cry. We all carry heavy loads, sometimes only known to God Himself.

Finding You Here is an inspiring collection of poems that breathe hope into heartbreak. Filled with comforting poems, beautiful illustrations, and beloved Bible verses, Susie Teramura invites us “behind the curtain to where spiritual matters meet the everyday; to a place where God speaks, love enters, and the atmosphere is changed.”

Susie’s poems resonate with the unspoken sadness and fears and the intense longings of the heart. Her collection of words encourage us to snuggle into the always-open arms of Jesus to be wrapped in the soft blanket of His unfailing love, grace, and compassion where He soothes away our tears and fears. Where He ensures us we are safe and cherished. Where He reminds us He is and always will be with us no matter what happens.

I asked Susie some questions, and she has graciously answered:

How and when was it that you lost your child and what impact did that have on birthing this book?

I was 38 years old and 16 weeks pregnant when we lost our baby. 13 years ago. Thankfully, I was able to deliver him and see his well-formed, tiny body but we never found out the reason for his death. This was so difficult for me, and the grief took me to a deep place in myself I didn’t know existed. But it was in this place where God met me. In my deep sadness, I found Him to be a comfort and companion in sorrow. I began to write down our conversations and used my writing to help me process things. I decided to share some of these thoughts on Instagram as well as my art. This helped me create a writing habit as well as build a body of work which has now become a book!

You paint a lot of flowers. What significance do flowers have in your life? How do the lessons from buds and flowers relate to your journey in life and in your poems?

Flowers are God’s love language to me. To me, there is nothing that puts him as beautifully on display as a vase of fresh cut peonies or a handful of lilies of the valley. Flowers are reminders of his daily provision and love. They exist and are given by him just to bring us beauty and joy! If he takes such care for the flowers, will he not care for me too? Flowers do not worry or fret. They know they are being cared for by their creator. He is a God who is detail oriented. He even decorates the grassy meadows in shades of purple and yellow. My happy mornings include flower shopping at Trader Joes where buckets of abundant chamomile, ranunculus, and old fashion roses greet you at the door. Flowers are evidence that we are his beloved and bride!

Your thoughts and poems were born out of the uncomfortable in-between spaces and your attempts to find Jesus in them. What advice would you give readers about owning our hurts and sadness and how Jesus can be found in them?

Often when we are sad, we push people and sometimes God away. We want to hide our pain so no one can see; to get over it quickly and return to our normal selves. Jesus instead wants us to invite him into our pain and allow ourselves to be comforted by him. This fosters intimacy and is a place where we can be known by him like no other. Instead of moving away from the pain he invites us to lean in and find him there.

Practically I have found that during an uncomfortable season it is important to listen to your body’s cues and follow its lead. An in-between stage can be so difficult because you never feel settled. Even moving toward something good can feel painful because it’s new. I have found great solace in going for walks. Something about being in nature brings me to a deeper awareness of the nearness of God. Also, I am learning not to be afraid of silence. Sometimes if we can just push past the threshold of uncomfortableness that silence brings, God can be found in a whole new way. He is present and coming underneath his authority brings comfort and peace no matter what we face.

Finding You Here will be ready soon!
Is this a hard season for you?
Do you or someone you know need hope?
You can order this book through Susie’s site HERE
or directly through her Amazon link.