One afternoon in California, Diane Buehler quietly buckled her four young children into the car and left home for good—fleeing ten years of domestic abuse. In this special episode (the first with a guest on Standing Nowhere), host Jacob sits down with his mother, Diane, to hear how she not only survived those violent years but went on to raise five kids alone with unshakeable faith.

Picture Diane as a young mother standing over a crib in the dark, one gentle hand resting on her sleeping baby’s head as she whispers, “Dear God, please watch them throughout their lives.” That humble nighttime prayer sustained her through chaos and pain. From simple childhood memories of ice-skating on frozen ponds and showing pigs at county fairs, to long days of work and worry as a single mom, Diane learned to find a quiet strength in the everyday moments of grace.

Together, Diane and Jacob explore the hard-won lessons of her journey — resilience in the face of fear, the power of a mother’s love, the decision to finally walk away from abuse, and the deep well of forgiveness that awaited on the other side. She speaks candidly about the years it took to rebuild: nights of tears and doubt, welfare lines and thrift store bargains, and the bold leap of faith that led her to earn a master’s degree while raising four kids on her own.

Yet even more inspiring is what came after survival: the healing. Today, Diane can honestly say she forgives the very man who hurt her. In her words, “some things look hopeless, but it’s not hopeless. You must beg God to hear your prayer. And he does hear it.” Through all the flames she walked through, she kept a spirit of compassion alive — a testament to grace that challenges and uplifts everyone listening.

This heartfelt conversation ends with a special scripture blessing from the Book of Isaiah: “When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Those ancient words echo through Diane’s life story, reminding us that even in our darkest trials we are never alone. In the end, Diane Buehler’s journey shines with a simple promise: no matter how fierce the fire, love and faith will carry us through.

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