There are certain seasons that do more than mark time—they mark transformation.

April has always been that kind of season for me.

It’s not just the shift into spring. It’s not just the warmer air or the sense of new beginnings. It’s something deeper than that. It’s the way this time of year pulls my heart back to one central truth:

God is still in the business of resurrection.

Not just the resurrection we read about in Scripture—but the kind we live through.

The kind that doesn’t always look like a miracle at first. The kind that unfolds slowly, quietly, over time… until one day you look back and realize:

God moved something you once believed would never change.

When You’re Standing in Front of a Stone

This month, as I prepared a message for Able by Grace Ministries titled “He Still Rolls Stones Away,” I realized something deeply personal:

This wasn’t just a sermon.

It was my story.

Because I know what it feels like to stand in front of a stone.

Not one you can physically touch—but one you can feel in your spirit. Something heavy. Something that feels permanent. Something that makes you quietly ask,
“God… how is this ever going to move?”

And for me, part of that journey has been living with cerebral palsy.

It has always been a part of my life. It has shaped how I move, how people sometimes see me, and even how I have seen myself in certain seasons.

There were moments where it felt like a limitation. Moments where I questioned whether people would truly understand me. Moments where I wondered if doors would close before I even had the chance to walk toward them.

And if I’m being honest, there were seasons where it felt like a stone.

Something heavy.
Something I couldn’t change.
Something I had to learn to live with before I could understand how God would use it.

What I Didn’t See Then

Looking back now, I realize something I didn’t fully understand at the time.

Some of the most important seasons of my life didn’t look important at all.

They looked quiet.
They looked ordinary.
They looked like writing when no one was watching.
They looked like building faith in private before it ever became something public.

They looked like showing up—even when I didn’t feel strong.

And now I can say this with clarity:

What felt like stillness was actually movement.
What felt like waiting was actually preparation.

God was already working in places I couldn’t yet see.

The Stone Was Never the End

In Matthew 28, the stone looked final.

It looked sealed.
It looked like nothing could change.

But before anyone even reached the tomb—

God had already moved it.

And that truth changed the way I see my own life.

Because there were things I thought would never shift. Things I didn’t understand. Things I didn’t know how to fix or explain.

And yet… God moved.

Not always loudly.
Not always quickly.
But always faithfully.

What feels impossible to us has never been impossible for Him.

Even my journey with cerebral palsy—what I once saw as something that might limit me—became part of my testimony.

The very thing I thought might hold me back became part of the way God would use me.

Writing Through What God Has Done

As an author, I don’t write from a distance.

I write from within the journey.

Every story I release carries something I’ve lived, something I’ve wrestled through, or something I’ve seen God redeem.

This season has been one of the most meaningful in my writing life because I’ve released stories that reflect those exact truths—faith, forgiveness, healing, second chances, and love that reflects Christ.

Some of my recent releases include:

• The Bunny That Knew Our Names
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GDRR6W16
• The Night She Ran Away
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FYHV971B
• The Forgiveness at the Counter
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FY77YPPY
• When Grace Stepped Out of the Tomb
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DN1KSFPX
• Abram’s Way
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G9WHBQ5S
• The Sweet Tea He Held While I Cried
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQR3RHFD
• The Earth Day Letter
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRSKKNP2
• Faith in the Fast Lane (Devotional)
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRS2DH9K
• April, Strawberries, and You
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GS3JR8TB
• The Medical Marijuana Card He Had in His Bible

Each one carries the same heartbeat:

No part of our story is wasted.
And no moment is beyond God’s ability to redeem.

A Moment I Will Never Forget

Recently, I received news that truly touched my heart in a way I will never forget.

It is with great joy and humility that I acknowledge the University of Calicut’s efforts in fostering open discussions about disability through my literature in their classrooms.

To know that something I wrote is being used in that way… to know that my words are part of conversations that matter… is something I do not take lightly.

When I wrote The Story of a Disabled Little Girl, I wrote it from a deeply personal place. I wrote it from the perspective of my own childhood with cerebral palsy—my experiences, my emotions, the things I felt but did not always know how to express at the time.

And now, to see that story reaching classrooms, opening conversations, and helping others understand disability in a more meaningful way…

It is truly an honor.

And I am so very excited for what God continues to do with the stories He has placed on my heart.

A Season of Growth, Opportunities, and New Doors

This season has also been filled with opportunities to share my journey beyond my books and ministry.

I had the opportunity to be featured in an interview with Bold Journey, where I shared more about my story, my writing, and my faith:

https://boldjourney.com/meet-tylia-l-flores/

I also had an incredible time on Public Facing — The Podcast — Where Culture and Community Meet, hosted by Joe Holmin. I had an absolute blast being part of that conversation, and it was such a meaningful experience to talk about purpose, calling, and community:

https://publicfacingpod.castos.com/episodes/serving-many-in-many-ways-tylia-l-flores

Moments like these remind me that God can take your story—every part of it—and place it in spaces you never imagined.

A Season That Confirmed My Calling

This past season has also been one of the most defining moments in my spiritual journey.

I have been ordained in multiple areas of chaplaincy through the Christian Leaders Institute Alliance, and I am now officially ordained as a Youth Pastor.

That moment meant more than a title.

It was confirmation.

Confirmation that God has called me not just to write stories—

but to serve people.

To lead.
To encourage.
To walk alongside others in real moments of life.

My calling is not just to tell stories—it’s to help people see God in theirs.

Where You Can Stay Connected

If you’ve been following my journey, you know that everything I do flows from faith.

You can stay connected through:

Able by Grace Ministries
https://soulcenters.org/directory/able-by-grace-ministries/

Ministry Blog
https://ablebygraceministry.blogspot.com

The Christian Ledger
https://substack.com/@thechristianledger
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587349477458

Faith over Fried Chicken

Some things are meant to be written.

Others are meant to be spoken.

That’s why I created my podcast:

Faith over Fried Chicken

This is where I go deeper—talking about faith, life, healing, and the everyday moments where God shows up.

Listen here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nF61IfAmvC9m5Xnn4Ohb7?si=02515793f6bf4d5c

If this blog spoke to you, I truly believe the podcast will meet you in a deeper way.

Final Thoughts

If you are standing in front of something right now that feels heavy…

Something that feels sealed…

Something that feels like it’s not moving…

I want you to hear this clearly:

The stone was never too heavy for God.
And it is not too heavy now.

He is still moving.
Even when you can’t see it.
Even when you don’t understand it.

He is already at work.

Stories That Heal,

 This Is What Grace Looks Like in My Body

By Tylia L. Flores

March is green.

But for me, March is not just a color.

It is memory.
It is muscle.
It is faith.
It is survival turned into calling.

I was born prematurely and diagnosed with cerebral palsy before I ever understood what that meant. I grew up in therapy rooms , orthopedic appointments , classrooms that doubted me , and hallways that were not built for my body.

For years, I thought awareness meant explaining myself.

Now I know awareness means something deeper.

It means dignity.
It means being seen without being reduced.
It means love without pity.
It means representation without apology.

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month is not a marketing moment for me.

It is personal.
It is spiritual.
It is embodied.

What Cerebral Palsy Awareness Means to Me

Awareness is not about inspiration.

It is about inclusion.

It is about asking,
“Do you want to play?”
And meaning it.

It is about holding the feeding tube in a stadium and not flinching.
It is about showing up to therapy graduations.
It is about writing letters.
It is about crossing state lines.
It is about falling in love without treating disability like a flaw.

Through Able By Grace Ministry , I shared this truth:

God does not make mistakes with bodies.
He reveals His strength through them.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

My cerebral palsy is not weakness.

It is the place where I have seen sustaining grace.

Grace is waking up and trying again.
Grace is writing when my hands are tired.
Grace is loving boldly in a body that moves differently.

Cerebral palsy shaped my endurance.

Christ shaped my identity.

And this March, I released stories that reflect that truth.

March Releases Honoring Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

These are not just books.

They are representation.
They are dignity on the page.
They are love stories that center disabled lives.

The Kickball Game That Gave Us Joy

Inclusion. Being chosen. One simple question that changes everything.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC32VTWY

The Play She Wrote for Palm Sunday

A Christian romance featuring a drummer with cerebral palsy cast as Jesus — and a girl discovering her calling.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G69DF8KZ

It’s Not About the Bunny: Milagro’s Easter Miracle

A children’s Easter story about Resurrection, joy, and a wheelchair-using heroine.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKJD4DD8

The Doritos She Fed Him

A youth group lock-in. A bag of chips. A holy act of dignity.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5ZY9X69

The Boy Who Wore Green for Me

Awareness that looks like staying. Quiet devotion. Visible love.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8R7Y7J3

The Green Soda That Tasted Like Home

Being remembered. Being heard. Being chosen during CP Awareness Month.
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Soda-That-Tasted-Like-ebook/dp/B0GBY92CNB

The Buzzer Beater

Love, illness, vulnerability, and resilience through the rhythm of basketball.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DS9CSVX8

Heaven’s Court: The Last Game of My Heart

Letters. Faith. Surrender. Love that outlives time.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVTK5GR2

The Game He Held the Feeding Tube

A rivalry game transformed into dignity and devotion.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G61HV5WV

Storyteller Made of Fire: How God Turned My Test Into Books

My memoir. My testimony. My return to Christ.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL3TRGPW

The Spring Break We Slept in the Church Van

Long-distance love, disability, faith, and showing up.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GLTMV9K7

The Light Beyond the Bars

Redemption. Cerebral palsy. Faith behind prison walls.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FCCHG75S

Saved by a Screenname

A 90s digital love story between two teens living with cerebral palsy.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saved-by-a-screenname-tylia-l-flores/1148080614

The MapQuest Directions He Printed for My Therapy

Love that doesn’t text. It shows up.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNJ7P7RN

Ask Cody

A CP Awareness Month novel about faith, doubt, and rediscovering hope.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNNHYKQH

The Baptism He Traveled For

A road trip across state lines for one sacred baptism moment.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNXCMWMZ

The Toy He Made for Me in March

A month of courage that ends in being seen.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GP8XYPP9

The MySpace Posts He Wrote in March

Online awareness that turns into real-life devotion.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GP9BJXKL

Love Always, Your Boyfriend

Grief. Faith. Letters written beyond loss.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPF3SQY5

The Letter Sent to Channel 12

Scars, first love, and the courage to be fully seen.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPRSM7MC

The Youth Group Livestream

Two teens with cerebral palsy discovering connection through worship.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPY7P7VN

Beyond Books — Expanding the Mission

Faith Over Fried Chicken (Podcast)

Episode 3: Faith Over Doubt
“I believe; help my unbelief.” — Mark 9:24
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nF61IfAmvC9m5Xnn4Ohb7

The Christian Ledger

Christian journalism rooted in Scripture.
https://substack.com/@thechristianledger

Faith IRL

Christian life beyond Sunday — for teens.
https://substack.com/@faithirl

Able By Grace Ministry

March sermons and reflections on disability and divine purpose.
https://ablebygraceministry.blogspot.com/

The Truth I Stand On

Cerebral palsy is not the flaw in my story.

It is part of the design.

It shaped how I love.
How I write.
How I understand grace.

This month is not about proving disabled people are inspirational.

It is about declaring:

We are image-bearers.
We deserve love stories.
We deserve romance.
We deserve faith.
We deserve visibility.
We deserve dignity.

Awareness without dignity is noise.

But awareness rooted in grace?

That becomes ministry.

With faith and gratitude,
Tylia L. Flores
Founder, Able By Grace Ministry
Christian Storyteller
Stories That Heal

A February Reflection on Faith, Love, and the Journey God Writes

This month began with something simple—but sacred.

Cody’s birthday visit.

As we celebrated another year of his life, I found myself reflecting not just on him, but on what truly makes a love story worth telling… and what makes a journey worth sharing in the first place.

Because it isn’t attraction.
That’s only part of it.

It isn’t having everything in common.
Shared interests matter, but they aren’t the foundation.

What makes a love story holy—what makes it last—is the moment two people decide, as Christians, to put God front and center and trust Him with the story. When love isn’t built on convenience, compatibility, or interest alone—but on a shared devotion to Christ.

That kind of love doesn’t rush.
It doesn’t perform.
It remains steady.

Valentine’s Day Was Never About the Candy

When we look at Valentine’s Day through a biblical lens, we realize something important:

It was never about candy.
It was never about cards.
It was never about proving love through gifts.

Love, as Scripture teaches it, begins in the heart of Christ.

“We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19

The love Jesus carried in His heart and spirit is what transforms us—and it is that love that teaches us how to love others well. Valentine’s Day, at its best, should remind us not of what we expect from people, but of what Christ has already given us.

Why I Love Cody

When I think about Cody, I don’t think first about his looks (though that’s a bonus).

I think about the way he lives.

I love Cody because of the way he looks at life with cerebral palsy—not as something that defines or limits him, but as part of a journey God has used to shape his faith, strength, and compassion.

There is a daredevil spirit in him. An adventurous heart. A refusal to let anything stop him. But more than that, there is a deep, genuine love for Christ.

He treats people the way Jesus treated His church—with kindness, patience, humility, and care.

And I am incredibly grateful that God gave me the gift of loving someone who loves Christ just as deeply as I do. Loving Cody has reminded me that when God is at the center, love becomes something safe, steady, and sacred.

If you’re reading this, Cody:
I love you more than you know. Thank you for your faith, your heart, and your spirit.

What to Look for in a Partner When You’re Disabled & Christian

If you’re navigating love as a Christian with a disability, I want you to hear this clearly:

Scripture never asks you to settle.

Love rooted in Christ looks like this:

• Someone who loves God first

• Someone who treats your disability with dignity—not pity

• Someone who practices patience without resentment

• Someone who protects your heart and your worth

• Someone who walks beside you, not ahead of you

“You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14

You are not a burden.
You are not “too much.”
You are worthy of a love that reflects Christ.

February Writing & Ministry Updates

Stories God Has Allowed Me to Share

This month has been full of writing that reflects exactly what I believe about love, faith, healing, and dignity. Below are all of the books currently available, each written prayerfully and intentionally.

Faith-Centered & Christian Romance

The Surprise Ride Home
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHZG9SBQ
A middle-school Christian love story about online friendship, prayer, and the quiet way God answers when a seat is saved at just the right time.

I Am Able by Grace
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5LRSKTR
A powerful story of disability, recovery, faith, and redemption—about two broken people learning that grace still calls them home.

The Cheese Curds He Saved Until February 14
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCQM8KT8
A slow-burn, long-distance Christian romance centered on patience, prayer, and trusting God’s timing with love.

The Retreat Badge With His Last Name
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHPHL5MH
An early-2000s love story about online faith, shared Scripture, and discovering that the person you prayed for is real.

The Groundhog Day We Stopped Running
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8VRQGS2
A faith-based teen romance about cycles, second chances, and choosing to stop running when God invites you to stay.

The Valentine’s Day Drill
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DL4T3M3M
A late-90s Christian YA story about courage, disability inclusion, and choosing faith over fear in the middle of crisis.

Halftime Healing
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F8BGTXKL
A Super Bowl youth-group second-chance romance about vulnerability, repentance, and letting God heal what fear broke.

The Mascot Who Stayed
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKBB2QZG
A tender story about friendship, honesty, and a boy who stays behind—literally and emotionally—until love is revealed.

Disability-Centered Love Stories

Hallelujah in Quiet Places
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJ6HVHPD
A story about being seen beyond words, finding love in silence, and discovering God’s presence in quiet faith.

The Girl He Saved Dunkaroos For
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G43ZMGZS
A youth-group love story built on kindness, patience, prayer, and the smallest acts that change everything.

The Communion He Held for Her
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G36B4P7J
A tear-jerking Christian YA story about church hurt, disability, belonging, and a love that fights for dignity at God’s table.

Grace in the Park
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNPQXGS9
A college-age Christian romance about fear, community, and discovering God’s grace in unexpected places.

The I Love You That Never Finished Loading
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKJ4C4YT
A slow, sacred love story about patience, online connection, and trusting God when words don’t come easily.

Faith, Identity, & Healing

Quiet David
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G61L9VKS
A faith-filled YA romance about identity, pressure, online anonymity, and love that grows in quiet spaces.

The Map He Kept: Marked by Grace
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FY3YHMVC
A second-chance story about faith renewed, forgiveness, and trusting God’s direction again.

The Plush Cucumber He Gave Me During the Storm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJ5L2LN8
A hurricane-week love story about anxiety, comfort, and the person who stays when the world goes dark.

The 7th Heaven Episode That Made Us Fall in Love
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5LV4NL4
A nostalgic faith story about forgiveness, letting go, and trusting God with an ending you didn’t expect.

Hallway Crossroads
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF8126LJ
A story about accountability, repentance, and learning what it truly means to love your neighbor.

The Valentine He Sent to the Wrong School

Emily Ellison has been writing her life in journals since she was six years old — every memory, every prayer, every heartbreak.

But nothing in her carefully documented life prepared her for the day a Valentine’s letter meant for another school finds its way into her hands.

The letter was never supposed to reach her.
The boy who wrote it — Ian Holliday — was supposed to meet someone else at the end-of-year pen pal trip.

Instead, one misplaced envelope changes everything.

As letters turn into late-night conversations and distance turns into something deeper, Emily begins to wonder if this mistake wasn’t a mistake at all… but God’s perfect timing.

From rainy first meetings to Saturday morning cartoons and handwritten love letters, Emily and Ian discover that sometimes the wrong address leads to the right person.

A heartfelt Christian romance about faith, family, and the kind of love that refuses to get lost in the mail.

Because what’s meant for your heart will always find its way home.

Get Your Copy

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GMS4YLKP

Google Play Books:
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7bjAEQAAQBAJ

Adult Fiction & Poetry

Forbidden Words
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5Z2JPKB
A mature novel about boundaries, desire, self-worth, and refusing to settle for emotional neglect.

More Than Millions
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5Z3CR9P
A high-stakes romance about prejudice, power, and choosing love that honors God over status.

Seasons of the Heart
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F47DXJP8
A poetry collection spanning a decade of love, faith, grief, healing, and resilience.

February Podcasts

Faith Over Fried Chicken – February Episode
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nF61IfAmvC9m5Xnn4Ohb7
A faith-centered conversation about Scripture, everyday life, and walking with God.

Palsy Power: Cody & Tylia
https://open.spotify.com/show/6f4tfqw8eK3632W7SvpPgH
An honest discussion on cerebral palsy, resilience, love, and faith lived out daily.

Able by Grace Ministries

Able by Grace Ministries continues to be a space for devotionals, reflection, and encouragement—especially for those navigating faith and disability together.

https://ablebygraceministry.blogspot.com/

Closing Reflection

A great love story isn’t the one that looks perfect online.

It’s the one where two people keep choosing God.
Keep choosing gentleness.
Keep choosing faith.
Keep choosing love that reflects Christ.

And if you’re still waiting, still healing, still wondering if love will find you where you are—

God does not write pointless stories.
And you are not an exception to His goodness.

With love and grace,
Tylia L. Flores

]]> https://tyliaflores.com/faith-in-the-middle-of-a-new-year/ Thu, 01 Jan 2026 17:00:09 +0000 https://tyliaflores.com/?p=2811

Faith in the Middle of a New Year

New Beginnings, Quiet Obedience, and the Stories God Is Still Writing

By Tylia L. Flores

Some stories don’t end at goodbye.
Some stories don’t arrive with fireworks.
Some stories begin quietly—at grace, at surrender, at the moment we almost scroll past.

A new year is never just a number on a calendar.

For believers, it is a sacred threshold. A moment God gives us to pause long enough to hear Him again. While the world rushes forward with resolutions built on self-effort, Scripture gently calls us to something deeper: renewal through trust.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:19

Every new year carries a holy reminder: God is not finished.

Not with your healing.
Not with your calling.
Not with your story.

Even when chapters feel incomplete. Even when silence lingers. Even when timing feels unfair. God is still writing.

The Sacred Pause of Reflection

The new year invites us to look back—but not to dwell in regret. It invites us to recognize grace.

Grace in the prayers we whispered when we were exhausted.
Grace in the strength God gave us when we thought we had none left.
Grace in the closed doors that protected us.
Grace in the waiting that prepared us.

Reflection becomes holy when we let God show us where He was present all along.

There are seasons we only survive in hindsight. Moments we didn’t understand until God gently revealed His purpose later. The new year reminds us that delay is not denial—and silence is often preparation.

And then, once we reflect, God invites us forward.

Not in fear.
Not in pressure.
But in faith.

What the New Year Means to Me

For me, the new year has never been about reinvention.

It has always been about obedience.

As a Christian author, writing is not simply something I do—it is how I listen. How I respond. How I worship. Writing is my way of saying, “Here I am, Lord. Use this.”

Every story I write begins with prayer. Every character is shaped with dignity. Every page is written with the hope that someone—especially someone living with a disability—will finally see themselves reflected with respect, faith, and truth.

As someone who lives with cerebral palsy, I know what it means to feel unseen. To be underestimated. To move through a world that decides who you are before listening to your heart. I also know what it means to cling to faith when answers don’t come quickly.

That lived experience shapes everything I write.

As we move toward 2026, my prayer is not simply to write more books—but to write braver ones. Stories that honor disability as part of God’s design, not something to overcome. Stories that show faith lived out quietly, patiently, and honestly. Stories that remind readers that God often works through ordinary moments—photos, youth group trips, missed phone calls, Facebook groups, holidays—to reveal extraordinary love.

Stories Releasing This Season

Faith, Waiting, and God’s Timing in Fiction

The stories releasing this season are deeply connected by one thread: God’s timing is never accidental.

Each one reflects faith in the middle—faith while waiting, faith after heartbreak, faith through misunderstanding, faith when love feels risky again.

The Youth Group Photo That Tagged Our Hearts

In 2009, before social media became what it is today, Facebook was still a place of genuine connection—where friendships were tagged, memories were shared, and sometimes, God revealed truths we weren’t ready to name.

Chyanne and Cody have been best friends since third grade. Their bond was built through years of shared faith, quiet loyalty, and choosing each other in small, consistent ways. During a youth-group trip to New York City, one unplanned photo changes everything.

As the New Year’s Eve ball drops in Times Square, they finally see what God has been revealing all along—love that didn’t begin at midnight, but was built patiently over time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCX7J2ZZ

EPCOT Fountain of Nations — A New Year’s Eve Love Story

A year ago, Emily DeGracia-Flores and Cody Ezekiel Pritchett met by chance—and by God’s design—at the EPCOT Fountain of Nations during a youth group trip.

She was a Florida girl in a teal wheelchair, carrying prayers she wasn’t sure God still heard.
He was a small-town Georgia boy with a crooked smile and faith strong enough to believe in miracles.

What began as an online friendship became a long-distance love story anchored in prayer, letters, and trust in God’s timing. One year later, they return to where it all began—on New Year’s Eve—learning that God doesn’t waste a single step of our journey.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXT4JVBW

The Last Sub of ’99

New Year’s Eve, 1999.

Brooke Delaney expects nothing but heartbreak as she works behind the counter at Firehouse Subs, freshly dumped and counting minutes until midnight. But God has other plans.

When Codan Rivers—a shy boy with cerebral palsy—rolls in for a meatball sub, jalapeño chips, and a brownie, an unexpected friendship begins.

This story reminds us that God often introduces new beginnings when we least expect them—and that love rooted in kindness can heal quietly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXHLLK9V

Midnight at CityWalk

Some stories don’t end at goodbye—they begin again at grace.

On New Year’s Eve, 2000, Brianna Joy Crespo boards a church youth bus headed to Universal CityWalk hoping to leave the past behind. She hasn’t spoken to Sidney “Tiger” Whitley since the day she believed he stopped caring.

What she never knew was the truth: his prepaid phone had run out of minutes, and pride kept him silent.

Under fireworks and neon lights, God brings them back together—teaching them that forgiveness opens doors timing never closed.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXN62K83

The Facebook Group Where God Introduced Us

Sometimes God’s introductions are quiet.

On New Year’s Eve, Deborah Harper joins a Christian teen Facebook group she almost scrolls past. She isn’t searching for love—she’s searching for reassurance that God still sees her.

Living with cerebral palsy has taught Deborah how to wait. How to trust slowly. How to protect her heart. Then she meets Montgomery—a boy whose faith shows up not in grand gestures, but in consistency, prayer, and sunflowers sent faithfully through the mail.

This story reminds us that God works behind the scenes—and that love centered on faith doesn’t rush.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCXP8BM2

Honoring the Sacred Days Ahead

Three Kings Day — Faith That Gives

Three Kings Day teaches us that faith is measured by what we offer, not what we receive.

That truth lives at the heart of Three Kings and the Bear’s Promise, where love restores a lost tradition through intentional giving and grace.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXBRW17P

Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Faith in Action

Dr. King’s dream reminds us that justice is unfinished.

The Dream We Shared on the Playground reflects that truth through a child’s voice—reminding us that faith calls us to act, advocate, and include.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC7Y81S8

Faith in the Middle

Some of the hardest faith questions come long before adulthood.

Faith in the Middle was written for that tender season where belief is tested quietly—in hallways, lunchrooms, and journals filled with questions for God.

This story is my reminder to young readers that God walks with them—even there.

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Tylia-L-Flores-ebook/dp/B0FCSV6BTF

The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Effect celebrates dignity, love, and God’s intentional design for every life—reminding us that small acts of faith can ripple farther than we imagine.

https://www.amazon.com/Butterfly-Effect-Tylia-L-Flores-ebook/dp/B0DTLJF1PP

A New Beginning Beyond the Page

Faith Over Fried Chicken — A New Podcast Journey

This new year has also brought something I’ve been praying over quietly for a long time.

In the middle of waiting, writing, and listening, God opened another door—not away from storytelling, but deeper into testimony.

This season marks the launch of my brand-new Christian podcast, Faith Over Fried Chicken with Tylia Flores.

This podcast was born out of the same place as my books: honest faith, lived experience, and conversations that don’t rush God’s process.

Faith Over Fried Chicken is a space where Scripture meets real life—where we talk about God not just in the sanctuary, but at the kitchen table, in the drive-thru line, during hard conversations, and in the middle of everyday struggles.

Each episode centers on:

• One biblical truth

• One real-life application

• One honest conversation about faith, disability, identity, love, waiting, and purpose

This podcast is especially close to my heart as someone living with cerebral palsy—because it creates room for voices that are often overlooked, faith stories that don’t fit clichés, and reminders that God works powerfully through lives the world underestimates.

Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nF61IfAmvC9m5Xnn4Ohb7?si=7ef768b44ccf4201

Because God doesn’t only speak through books.
Sometimes, He speaks through conversations we didn’t plan—shared over something as simple as fried chicken.

Walking Forward in Faith

As we step through New Year’s, Three Kings Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, may we remember that faith is not about perfection—it is about obedience.

God is still writing.
Still restoring.
Still inviting us forward.

Here’s to grace in the middle.
Here’s to faith in the waiting.
Here’s to the stories God is still writing.

With gratitude and grace,
Tylia L. Flores
Christian Author | Stories That Heal

Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. The lights, the music, the warm food, the family gatherings — all of it creates a kind of beauty that’s hard to describe. But the older I get, and the more I grow in my walk with God, the more I realize a deeper truth:

We’ve let the noise of the holidays drown out the heart of the season.

We talk about gifts, but forget about grace.
We talk about food, but forget about faith.
We talk about Christmas magic, but forget about the miracle.

Because the real miracle of Christmas is not at the mall, the dinner table, or even under the tree.

The real miracle is Christ.

His birth.
His life.
His love.
His sacrifice.
His presence — still alive and working in us today.

If you take the MAS out of Christmas, what remains is Christ, clear as day. And as a Christian woman with cerebral palsy, that truth hits my heart deeper every single year.

My one Christmas wish isn’t for anything wrapped in a box —
it’s that people remember Who this season is truly about.

Not the presents.
Not the decorations.
Not the parties or the Instagram pictures.

Christmas is about the Savior who stepped into our world so we would never walk alone.

And just like Christ had a journey — one that began in a humble manger — we each have our own. A journey filled with trials, joy, hope, heartbreak, miracles, purpose, and grace. His journey shows us that the greatest stories often start in the smallest, simplest places.

That truth inspired me as an author this year. Through every word I’ve written, every character I’ve created, and every story I’ve told, my prayer has been the same:

“Lord, let these books point back to You.”

So this Christmas, I’m honored to share the stories I’ve released — each one rooted in faith, hope, disability representation, and the belief that God writes the most beautiful chapters when we trust Him.

This Season’s Faith-Filled Christmas Releases

Below are the Christmas books I’ve published this year — each with a biblical theme and a message that reflects God’s love.

1. When Heaven Takes the Wheel

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTFD4DKW
A snowstorm, a long drive, and a love stronger than fear. Booth gives Christ control of every mile.
Biblical Theme: Matthew 11:28–30 — God carries the weary.

2. The Missed Flight Miracle

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3C9FQ1X
Two teens. Two wheelchairs. One missed flight. A Christmas Eve miracle of divine timing.
Biblical Theme: Romans 8:28 — God works all things for good.

3. The Christmas We Weren’t Meant to Keep

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G316NCJN
A heartbreaking first love torn apart — and rebuilt through God’s healing.
Biblical Theme: Psalm 34:18 — God is close to the brokenhearted.

4. Coconut & Camouflage: A Coquito Christmas

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2PJ82CJ
Long-distance love, coquito lessons, and faith that stirs hearts back together.
Biblical Theme: 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 — Love is patient and kind.

5. The Flashcards He Made Me on National Cookie Day

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4J2CMTQ
Handmade Bible-verse flashcards, cookie clues, and youth group chaos.
Biblical Theme: Philippians 4:19 — God supplies all we need.

6. The Cookie in Room 213

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G192Y3FD
Friendship, cookies, hospital rooms, and a miracle of presence.
Biblical Theme: Matthew 25:40 — Love lives in small acts.

7. The Christmas Wheelchair Miracle (Brantley’s Story)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1Z97BRL
A whole town becomes the miracle an 8-year-old boy prayed for.
Biblical Theme: Galatians 6:2 — Bear one another’s burdens.

8. The Almost First Kiss

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7FJQYSF
A long-distance bond, a tragic accident, and love that shines through darkness.
Biblical Theme: John 1:5 — Light overcomes darkness.

9. Hearts in the Snow

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FK72VTNY
Two teens with CP find strength, faith, and a Christmas miracle.
Biblical Theme: Philippians 4:13 — Strength through Christ.

10. Urban Cowboy Christmas

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G316NCJN
Comfort movies, healing hearts, and a friendship reborn as love.
Biblical Theme: Psalm 147:3 — God heals the brokenhearted.

11. The Birthday Van Surprise — Coming Christmas Day

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4KQWDTV
A surprise van moment becomes the spark of a Christmas miracle romance.
Biblical Theme: Revelation 19:1 — Praise rising to Heaven.

12. From The Big Apple to the Farm

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTBRSH6R
City meets countryside in a story of unexpected love and God’s redirection.
Biblical Theme: Proverbs 16:9 — God directs our paths.

13. The Bethlehem Gift He Made Through the Crowd

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4NPMWYB
A boy lifts a girl with CP through a crowd to the manger — Christlike love in action.
Biblical Theme: Luke 2:4–7 — God meets us in humble places.

14. Fear Not: Miracle on 24th Street

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FFDBRSZL
A boy who feels invisible learns he is seen, loved, and valued through friendship.
Biblical Theme: Luke 2:10–11 — Fear not, for the Savior sees you.

15. Her Blue-Eyed Bear

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4T2Z9MQ
A boy holds her catheter bag in the cold — and her heart with gentleness.
Biblical Theme: 1 Corinthians 13:7 — Love bears all things.

16. Back to the Crossroads: Christianity & Pop Culture in the 90s

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4SZVQR6
A joyful dive into 90s Christian culture — and the bold faith movement it sparked.
Biblical Theme: Matthew 5:14–16 — Shine your light.

17. Snowed In with Reverend Grandpa

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH89C1SY
A Florida teen learns that God’s greatest gifts aren’t under the tree — they’re the people He places in her path.
Biblical Theme: James 1:17 — Every good gift is from above.

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER FROM MY HEART TO YOURS

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Your Son — the greatest gift we will ever receive. As we celebrate this season, help us reflect Your love in our words, our actions, and our hearts. May we remember the manger, the miracle, and Your message of hope.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Merry Christmas, dear friends.

From my heart, my wheelchair, my stories, and my faith —
may this season draw you closer to Christ, the center of it all.

Thankful by Grace: A Season of Faith, Family, and Stories

by Tylia L. Flores – November 2025

Every November, when the air grows cooler and the scent of cinnamon, baked cornbread, and coffee fills the air, I’m reminded of why Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It’s not just about the feast — it’s about the faith. It’s about pausing to remember how far God has brought me, how His grace continues to guide me, and how His love is written across every page of my life.

This year, I feel that gratitude more deeply than ever — for my family, my fiancé Cody, my readers, my life with cerebral palsy, and the many creative ways God continues to move through my writing and storytelling. November is more than just a month to me. It’s a season that brings together All Saints Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and even my two-year anniversary with Cody — a season that reminds me that every story begins and ends with grace.

Thankful for My Journey with Cerebral Palsy

Living with cerebral palsy has never been easy, but it has always been purposeful. It has been the greatest adventure of my life — one that has taught me faith, patience, humility, and courage.

My CP has given me eyes to see beauty in places others might overlook and a heart to understand that true strength comes from surrendering to God’s plan. Through it all, I’ve learned that my disability doesn’t limit me — it refines me. It gives me purpose, power, and a platform to inspire others.

Thankful for the Gift of Writing

Writing has been my constant companion and my truest expression of faith. It’s where I meet God in the quiet moments — where I process pain, celebrate joy, and find the courage to keep going.

Each story I write is a love letter to the world — proof that faith can flourish anywhere, even in the middle of struggle. Writing has allowed me to connect with others, to share the realities of living with CP, and to remind readers that grace is not limited by circumstance.

Thankful for Love: Two Beautiful Years with Cody

This November marks two years with my fiancé, Cody A. McWhorter — two years of laughter, prayer, creativity, and grace.

Cody has been my biggest supporter and my muse. Our journey together inspired one of my most personal stories yet, “If I Had a Girlfriend,” released on National Author’s Day 2025 in celebration of our anniversary.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS851W4B

This heartfelt story follows Paul Harper, a teen with cerebral palsy, and Hadassah Ortiz, the girl who truly sees him. It’s a story about faith, hope, and being loved for who you are. Writing it reminded me of everything Cody and I share — the beauty of being known, understood, and loved beyond condition.

Thankful for All Saints Day and the Message That Saved Her Login

At the beginning of November, we celebrate All Saints Day — a time to honor those who’ve lived faithfully, reminding us that holiness is often found in the everyday.

That celebration of faith and connection inspired my All Saints Day novel, “The Message That Saved Her Login.”

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FYH18853

This story follows Tahlia Marin, a foster teen who finds faith and friendship through an online video game, and Benjamin “Beaver” Brooks, a boy with cerebral palsy from small-town Florida. Through prayer, digital connection, and God’s timing, their story becomes a reminder that light can reach even the darkest corners — sometimes through pixels, sometimes through people.

It’s a modern-day parable about grace, technology, and the saints walking among us every day.

Thankful for Veterans and the Power of Remembrance

November also brings Veterans Day, a time to honor those who’ve sacrificed so much for our freedom.

My Veterans Day-inspired story, “The Ribbon on His Wheelchair,” was written to pay tribute to their faith and resilience.

https://www.amazon.com/Ribbon-His-Wheelchair-Tylia-Flores-ebook/dp/B0FWZ36WPT

Set in Plantation, Florida, the story follows Selena and Coady Mercer — childhood friends who reunite at a church service to honor veterans. As they tie a red, white, and blue ribbon to his wheelchair, they rediscover that love grounded in Christ can survive any distance or time.

To every veteran reading this — thank you. Your courage and faith inspire every page I write.

Thankful for Family

Family is the heartbeat of everything I do. I’m thankful for my loving mom and dad, who have been my foundation of strength and prayer; for my brother Brandon, his wife Alejandra, and my joyful nephew Jaden, who fill every family gathering with laughter; and, of course, for Cody, who brings warmth and purpose to every day.

Our table might not be perfect, but it’s full of love — and that’s what truly makes it blessed.

Stories of Gratitude, Faith, and Grace

As Thanksgiving approaches, I can’t help but reflect on the stories that capture the spirit of this season — the ones that celebrate faith, family, and second chances.

The Cornbread Cross — A Thanksgiving Story of Faith and Service

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR1PL12Y

When Trinity Pierce, a teen with cerebral palsy, volunteers at her church’s Thanksgiving dinner, she meets Beary “Bear” McCall, a kind young man in a power wheelchair. Together, they learn that faith, like cornbread, rises best when stirred with grace.

No Ordinary Thursday — A Thanksgiving Love Story

https://www.amazon.com/No-Ordinary-Thursday-Tylia-Flores-ebook/dp/B0F7ST932B

When Dallas Weiters returns home for Thanksgiving, she reunites with Arnold O’Shay, her high school sweetheart. Together, they rediscover that love, forgiveness, and family are worth fighting for — and that Thanksgiving miracles are often God’s quietest blessings.

The Night We Belonged — A Halloween Story of Faith and Belonging

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSLRGN4Y

This autumn tale follows Torrey Blake, a teen with cerebral palsy and a speech impediment, and Adriana Costello, a girl healing from heartbreak. When they meet at a church Halloween party, they learn that faith can turn even the darkest night into a story of hope and belonging.

Thankful for New Creative Chapters: Faith Over Fried Chicken & Palsy Power

This season of gratitude is also a season of growth. I’m so excited to share that in 2026, I’ll be launching my brand-new podcast,
Faith Over Fried Chicken with Tylia L. Flores — a show founded to bring a fresh, uplifting voice to modern-day Christianity, served with a side of Southern comfort and laughter.

You can follow the podcast here:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582670001342

Through Faith Over Fried Chicken, my goal is to create a space where faith meets everyday life — where conversations are honest, relatable, and full of joy. We’ll talk about everything from spiritual growth to humor, hope, and how to keep faith flavorful in a busy world.

And, of course, I’m also deeply thankful for my other ongoing podcast with Cody,
Palsy Power with Cody and Tylia,
where we share real stories, real laughs, and real faith as a couple living boldly with cerebral palsy.

This month’s episode dives into an uplifting and fun topic — how cerebral palsy connects to football!

You can check it out here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5hqVevgVmGfRN5Yv0BWxV4?si=QKI_NdpfTfqvbQJBniVwew

Both podcasts remind me that storytelling doesn’t just happen in books — it happens in conversations that touch hearts and uplift souls.

Stories to Look Forward To

The Message That Saved Her Login (All Saints Day)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FYH18853

Midnight at CityWalk
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXN62K83

The Last Sub of ’99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXHLLK9V

The Fountain, One Year Later (Coming Soon!)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXT4JVBW

A Heart Overflowing with Thanks

As I sit reflecting on this season, I realize how much there is to be thankful for — faith, love, family, creativity, and connection.

I’m thankful for the stories God has allowed me to tell, the people who’ve believed in me, and the readers who continue to walk alongside my journey. I’m thankful for Cody — for his laughter, patience, and partnership. I’m thankful for my family, my CP community, and every listener and reader who reminds me that what we create in love never goes unnoticed.

My life with cerebral palsy has never been perfect — but it has been filled with purpose. And for that, I give thanks every day.

So, from my heart (and my table) to yours —
Happy Thanksgiving, and may your life be filled with joy, faith, laughter, and grace.

October 6 marks World Cerebral Palsy Day, a day that holds a special place in my heart. For people like us, living with cerebral palsy is more than a diagnosis—it is a daily journey filled with challenges, lessons, and victories. This day is not only about spreading awareness but also about celebrating the resilience, strength, and stories that God has written into each of our lives.

But here’s the truth: awareness doesn’t end on October 6. For me, living with cerebral palsy is a day-to-day testimony. Every sunrise brings a new adventure, every challenge brings an opportunity for growth, and every stumble becomes another chance for grace to carry me forward.

God as My GPS

When people ask me the “secret” to embracing cerebral palsy with hope, my answer is simple: I allow God to be my GPS. Just as a GPS directs a traveler through unknown roads, God has guided me through every obstacle, setback, and breakthrough.

There are days when my body feels weary, when the world feels too heavy, and when doubt creeps in. But I am reminded daily that my disability is not my tragedy—it is my testimony.

This past month, God opened incredible doors for me to share that testimony. I was blessed to be featured in Orlando Voyager Magazine, where I spoke about my journey, my faith, and how my disability is a testimony of God’s grace.

I also had the absolute joy of appearing on The Dave Benson Show, where I had such a fun, Spirit-filled time sharing my story.

Every platform, whether in print or on camera, is another way God reminds me that my voice matters and my journey has purpose.

The People God Has Placed in My Life

I could not share my story without also acknowledging the incredible people God has blessed me with on this journey. Beside my mother, my dad Carlos has been one of the greatest gifts in my life. When my biological father stepped away, Carlos stepped up when I was just five years old. Since then, he has been a steady presence, showing me what unconditional love, sacrifice, and fatherhood look like.

My stepbrother Brandon has always been the greatest little brother anyone could ask for. His encouragement and motivation have pushed me to keep going and to strive to be the best version of myself. Alongside him, my sister-in-law Alejandra and my beautiful nephew Jaden have brought so much joy to my life, reminding me of the beauty of family and the blessings God gives us through each generation.

I also have to thank my fiancé, Cody, who has been both my best friend and now the love of my life. For many years, before we were engaged, Cody stood by me as a loyal friend, reminding me every day that life itself is a beautiful adventure. Today, as my partner, he continues to inspire me to embrace the world through the GPS God has given us. His father, Sidney McWhorter, has also been a blessing in my journey, further reminding me how God weaves people into our stories for a reason.

Another person I am deeply grateful for is my editor, Katrina Smith. She has walked with me through every detour in my writing career, guiding me and supporting me as I’ve told my story through words. Her faith in me has been a reminder of God’s provision and encouragement.

I also want to give thanks for my church family at New Beginnings in Ashburn, Georgia. They welcomed me with open arms and embraced me as family from the very first day. I am especially thankful for our preacher, Justin Sanders, his wife, Tori, and their daughter Natalie, who has become like an adopted niece to me. Their love, prayers, and encouragement have shown me the heart of Christ’s body—the church.

And finally, I want to honor Reverend Joseph Holmin and his family, whose many years of friendship and guidance have been such a blessing. Their support has been a steady reminder that God sends people into our lives not just for a season, but for a purpose—to guide us, strengthen us, and remind us of His faithfulness.

Ministry, Calling, and Purpose

In my teens and twenties, my focus was on spreading awareness about cerebral palsy. Now, in my thirties, God has called me to expand that mission: not only to advocate for CP but to boldly proclaim my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

That’s why I launched Able by Grace Ministries and Strength Through Christ Coaching—because I believe our testimonies can transform lives when they’re rooted in faith. Over the past year, I have also been humbled to receive multiple ordinations, certificates, and diplomas through Christian Leaders Institute (CLI). These include Elder, Deacon, Apostle/Missionary, Commissioned Minister, Ordained Minister, Commissioned Pastoral Certificate, Certificate of Ministry, Women’s Ministry Certificate, Christian Leaders Certificate, and diplomas in Ministry, Divinity, and Pastoral Leadership.

Each title, each certificate, and each diploma is not just a paper on my wall—it’s a reminder of God’s calling on my life to keep pressing forward, to be a disciple, and to use every part of my journey for His glory.

New Releases in Honor of World CP Day

In honor of this year’s World Cerebral Palsy Day, I am overjoyed to share several new releases that reflect my passion for faith, advocacy, and storytelling:

The Joy We Choose (Kindle Edition)
Finding Her Strength (Kindle Edition)
Stomping in Grace: A Poetry Memoir (Kindle Edition)
The Night We Belonged (Kindle Edition)

Looking Ahead

As I reflect on all that God has done, one truth remains steady in my heart: the best way I cope with cerebral palsy is by trusting in God. He has a plan for each of us—a plan filled with hope, redemption, and purpose.

So, on this World Cerebral Palsy Day, my encouragement to you is this: whatever obstacle you face, let God be your GPS. He won’t fail you. With Him, your testimony will shine brighter than your trials. With Him, every day becomes a new beginning. With Him, your story matters.

I am excited for what’s to come through Able by Grace Ministries, through my writing, through my coaching, and most importantly, through continuing to live out the calling God has placed on my life.

Because my disability is not my tragedy.
It is my testimony.
And my testimony belongs to Him.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

On this World Cerebral Palsy Day, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude. Thank You for the gift of life, for the testimony You’ve written into my journey, and for the strength to keep pressing forward. Thank You for my mother, my father, my family, my fiancé, my church, my mentors, and every single person You have placed in my life to remind me of Your love and guidance.

Lord, I ask that You continue to be my GPS, leading me through every detour, every mountain, and every valley. Help me to embrace each day as a new beginning, to use my story as a light for others, and to walk boldly as a disciple of Christ.

May my disability never be seen as a tragedy, but as a living testimony of Your grace, Your purpose, and Your unfailing love. Bless those who are also walking this journey with cerebral palsy and their families, that they may know they are never alone and that You are carrying them every step of the way.

In Jesus’ mighty name,
Amen.

A Season of Ordinations

Over the past few weeks, I have been incredibly blessed to receive several ordinations—Christmas Chaplain, Fire/EMS Chaplain, Ministry Coach, Public School Chaplain, Licensed Minister, Life Coach Minister, and Officiating Chaplain.

Each ordination is more than just a title—it is a calling from the Lord. It’s a reminder that all the perseverance, prayers, and faith I’ve carried as a woman with cerebral palsy have led me to this very moment. Ministry has become one of my greatest passions, because just like writing, it tells a story. But this story isn’t about me—it’s about Christ. Through every prayer, every hospital visit, every moment of encouragement, I get to point back to the greatest story of all: God’s redeeming love.

Reflecting on My Journey with CP

Receiving these ordinations has given me time to reflect on where my story has been and where it’s going. Living with cerebral palsy has never been easy, but it has shaped me into the vessel God designed me to be.

Too often, society views disability as a punishment, but Scripture shows us differently. In the Old Testament, we see individuals with weaknesses and limitations being chosen and equipped by God:

• Moses—slow of speech, yet chosen to speak to Pharaoh and lead Israel.

• Jacob—who walked with a limp after wrestling with God, yet carried the blessing of a nation.

• Mephibosheth—crippled in both feet, yet honored at King David’s table.

These lives remind us that disability is not a curse—it is a testimony. God’s power shines most brightly through what the world calls weakness. That is the message I will continue to spread: that disability is not God’s rejection, but His blessing.

Strength Through Christ Coaching

Speaking of new callings, I am thrilled to share that I have begun the process of launching my new life coaching program: Strength Through Christ Coaching.

This faith-based program is dedicated to empowering Christians with disabilities to embrace their God-given purpose, build confidence, and live boldly with strength through Christ. The program is rooted in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Strength Through Christ Coaching is affiliated with Able by Grace Ministries, and I cannot wait to see the lives that will be touched by this program. To learn more, visit our Facebook page here: Strength Through Christ Coaching.

Writing: A Calling That Continues

Alongside ministry and coaching, God continues to use my writing as a tool for His Kingdom. I am excited to announce four brand-new books that are now available:

Strength Perfected in Weakness

An honest journey of faith and disability that shows how God’s power shines brightest in our weakest moments.
Get your copy here 

When the Fire Meets Grace

A story of love, faith, and redemption between a Fire/EMS Chaplain and a young man with CP, reminding us that God writes the most unexpected love stories.

Stomping in Grace: A Poetry Memoir

Poems born out of trials, prayers, and triumphs, showing how grace carries us through every stumble and every stomp.
Get your copy here

The Holy Hangover: A Life That Overflows

A guide to living in the afterglow of God’s presence long after the worship fades, teaching us how to walk in Spirit-filled joy every day.
Get your copy here

Each of these books carries a piece of my testimony, and my prayer is that they plant seeds of faith, hope, and encouragement in every reader’s heart.

Thriving Together

On a more personal note, Cody and I are still thriving together, and I am so deeply grateful that he is part of my story. His love, faith, and encouragement remind me daily that God places people in our lives to reflect His goodness. Together, we are walking in faith, trusting His timing, and leaning on His promises.

A Personal Health Update

It has been a while since I updated you all on my health, so I want to share something close to my heart. Back in February, I underwent left elbow tendon release surgery. It has been a journey of healing and growth. Today, I am grateful to say that I am now allowed to keep my hand free.

Every day, I do occupational therapy with a typing software program that takes me back to my early days at United Cerebral Palsy in New York, when I first learned to type. Slowly, I’m learning to embrace the scar that surgery left behind. It hasn’t been easy, but God has been with me every step of the way, and little by little, I’m getting there daily. My scar is no longer a mark of struggle—it’s a reminder of His healing.

The Bigger Message

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from my journey, it’s this: God has you, all the way through. He never fails.

As my preacher Justin Sanders and his wife Tori often remind us, “God got you, boo.” And that’s the truth I hold on to in my hardest moments.

So, to anyone out there who feels like giving up—don’t. God’s love is universal, His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness. Every obstacle is just another page in the story He is writing for you.

And as for me, I will keep writing my story—with my parents, my fiancé Cody, and all of you walking beside me—trusting that the Author of Life has already written the perfect ending.

So with that being said, friends: keep writing your story.

Twelve years ago, at just 18 years old, I started Stomping On CP—a passion project born out of a desire to raise awareness for cerebral palsy and challenge the limitations often placed on those with disabilities. Back then, I had no idea how God would use this journey to shape my life, introduce me to incredible people, and teach me lessons I’ll carry forever.

What began as a simple platform grew into something far bigger than I ever imagined. Through advocacy, speaking engagements, and sharing my story, I’ve witnessed the power of perseverance, the beauty of community, and the undeniable hand of God opening doors I never thought possible. The connections I’ve made, the stories I’ve heard, and the lives that have touched mine along the way—it’s all been a gift.

But seasons change, and after much prayer and reflection, I feel God leading me into a new chapter—one where my focus shifts from advocacy to ministry. This isn’t a goodbye to Stomping On CP; it’s a grateful acknowledgment of how it prepared me for what’s next.

At 30 years old, I’m stepping into Able by Grace Ministries, an online ministry dedicated to sharing the hope, truth, and transformative power of Jesus Christ. The name itself was inspired by my journey with Stomping On CP—because it was through my own struggles and victories that I learned just how able we are by God’s grace. This ministry is about more than disability; it’s about the freedom, purpose, and redemption found in Christ.

I’ll still carry the lessons and heart of advocacy with me, but now, I’m answering a call to preach the Gospel, to encourage the broken, and to remind others that no matter what they face, God’s grace is enough.

If you’ve been part of my journey with Stomping On CP, thank you. Your support, prayers, and shared stories have meant more than you know. And if you’re willing, I’d love for you to join me in this new season.

You can follow Able by Grace Ministries here:
Website: https://ablebygraceministry.blogspot.com/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AbleByGraceMinistries 

This isn’t an ending—it’s a new beginning. And as scary and exciting as it is, I know one thing for sure: the same God who walked with me through every step of advocacy will be with me in this, too.

With love and gratitude,
Tylia L. Flores