There’s a part of you—no matter how buried or bruised—that still remembers joy, wonder, and freedom. It’s the childlike spirit within you. Not naïve, not untouched by pain, but unbroken in its ability to hope. In A Child’s Spirit: Overcoming Trauma Through Faith, author Shelly Ann Smith brings that inner light to the surface, showing us that even after the deepest trauma, we can rise, heal, and live with purpose.
This isn’t just a story about surviving abuse, abandonment, or hardship—it’s about rediscovering the essence of who we are underneath it all. Through her powerful memoir, Shelly invites readers to embark on their own journey from trauma to triumph by reconnecting with the child they once were—the one who still believes in possibility.
Trauma Changes Us—But It Doesn’t Define Us
Shelly’s early years were filled with overwhelming responsibility, emotional wounds, and a silence that too many trauma survivors know too well. Yet even amid those hardships, a spark remained. That spark—what she calls her “child’s spirit”—became a guiding light. It reminded her of innocence, faith, and her right to happiness.
It’s easy to think that trauma erases who we once were. But as Shelly’s story shows, our inner child doesn’t disappear. It waits. It whispers. And it longs for us to return, not to be children again, but to reclaim the parts of ourselves that were left behind.
The Childlike Spirit: What It Really Means
The “childlike spirit” isn’t about acting young or ignoring reality. It’s about reconnecting with qualities like:
- Resilience – the bounce-back energy we had even after falling down.
- Imagination – our ability to dream beyond our current circumstances.
- Hope – the quiet belief that better days are always possible.
- Faith – the deep trust that we are loved and held, even when life feels heavy.
These qualities don’t belong to childhood alone. They’re tools for healing—and you still have access to them.
How to Rediscover Your Childlike Spirit
- Reflect on what brought you joy as a child. Music? Nature? Art? Return to it.
- Be curious again. Ask questions about yourself—not with judgment, but with compassion.
- Allow space for faith. Whether through prayer, meditation, or simply quiet moments, reconnect with something greater than yourself.
- Release shame. Your past doesn’t disqualify you from healing—it’s the foundation of your triumph.
- Speak your truth. Like Shelly, your story has the power to free not just you, but others walking a similar path.
From Pain to Purpose
From Trauma to Triumph isn’t a cliché—it’s a real path paved by choice, courage, and spiritual resilience. A Child’s Spirit reminds us that our most powerful healing tool isn’t something external. It’s that sacred, unshakable spirit we carried as children—and still carry today.
No matter how far you feel from that child, they’re still within you. Waiting to be seen. Waiting to help you rise.
Your journey to triumph starts when you reconnect with the childlike spirit that still lives in you. Are you ready to listen?