Welcome back to The Equipping Station. Today, I have the genuine joy of sitting down with Erin, the heartfelt voice behind the publication Once Divided.
Erin’s writing journey is a beautiful testament to what happens when we lay down our deep-seated doubts and simply step into obedience. Her work is steeped in vulnerability, healing, and a profound desire to let God guide the pen to reach exactly who He intends.
Rather than focusing on building a massive platform, she has cultivated a space of true community and connection, one faithful note at a time. I’m thrilled to share her story and her heart with you today.
Let’s dive right into our conversation.
Byron: Take us back to the moment you decided to start this publication. What specific conviction or quiet nudge made you finally say, “I need to do this?”
Erin: I was in the middle of a step study with some other ladies. I noticed the Lord changing how I was answering the questions and how I saw myself. I sensed His spirit breaking through lies I had held onto as truths for decades. These lies kept me from using the gift of writing He has given me. During this healing journey, there were heart checks. Was I truly willing to be obedient, to trust Him, and pick the pen back up? While I was still believing this one lie where my disobedience began, my heart strongly desired to start writing again.
One of the last what I call “heart checks” was when He wrote through me a poem for a friend of mine who had just lost her nephew, someone I had never met. Lord, how do I write a poem for someone I have never met? You don’t; I do. After seeing way beyond the poem itself, what God did not just for me but for the family who saw this poem, this led me to pray and ask the Lord, how can I write to serve, honor, and glorify you.
A few days later, while having lunch with an author friend of mine, listening to her share about the next chapter of her life, “Substack” came out of her mouth. As she continued talking, I was stuck on Substack. There was an excitement radiating through me, knowing this was where the Lord wanted me to write; this was the answer to my prayer! Once I got home, the Lord led me to one video to educate me about Substack. As I was setting up my account, I asked the Lord about my bio. I sensed I was going to write to impact lives who were in and out of His kingdom through the testimonies/healings He has given me. He is my spark each day to write and to let Him deliver the notes and articles to whom He intends for them to reach.
Byron: How do you intentionally cultivate connection with your subscribers rather than just trying to build a massive platform?
Erin:
Being authentic, vulnerable.
Investing in others’ notes/articles by reading and trying to comment.
Restacking onto my page when I felt led.
Saying Yes when another Substacker provides me with an opportunity to serve.
Replying to DM’s.
Pray for others and share my prayer needs.
Reach out to the ones I have a foundation with, like one would do as a friend.
Respond when someone comments on one of my posts.
Byron: If a new subscriber landed on your page today and only had time to enjoy one piece from your archive to truly understand your heart and your message, which post would you point them to and why?
Erin: A Kaleidoscope of New Life published on March 18th, 2026. This article reflects my humanness, my imperfections in my prodigal journey, and even, as a resident of His kingdom, how He took one girl and began chiseling away the dark to make her new, which is me. It’s full of hope and a love that never ends, one without motive.
Byron: Take us back to the moment you decided to start this publication. What specific conviction or quiet nudge made you finally say, “I need to do this”?
Erin: I LOVE to clean and organize! It’s a great reminder I have what I have because of Him. It reminds me I serve a Father who is the Almighty Planner/Organizer and that His ways are better. One last thing about LOVING to clean and organize is that it heightens my level of gratitude to see things as I “get to” today because one day I may not be able to!
Byron: I want to sincerely thank Erin for sharing her heart, her journey, and her beautiful vulnerability with us today. Her story is a powerful reminder that our gifts are never truly lost when we place them back into the hands of the One who gave them to us, and that true community is built through simple, everyday obedience.
If Erin’s words resonated with you, I highly encourage you to click the link above to read “A Kaleidoscope of New Life” and experience her writing firsthand. Make sure to subscribe to Once Divided to support her work and receive her notes directly.
I would also love to hear your takeaways from our conversation. Have you ever experienced a “heart check” that prompted you to step out in faith or pick up a forgotten passion? Drop a comment below and let’s keep the discussion going.
If you would like to be highlighted on The Equipping Station, send me a message here on Substack, and we’ll connect.
Go by Erin’s Substack Page and Read More - Learn More - Connect More!
Did you know that I have authored a dozen books that help equip and encourage you?
Check out BysBooks.com for a look.