Author Spotlight: Harriette Patrick Barron

Harriette Patrick Barron feels called to encourage and show the light of Jesus Christ through her evangelism, books, and social media posts.  The Author and Motivational Speaker has used her faith and life experiences to fuel her passion for helping others.  As a young woman, Harriette was a victim of a sexual assault and kidnapping.  Although it took her several years to recover in body and soul, she emerged with insight and strong faith. Harriette was able to use her traumatic experience and recovery as a stepping- stone for those who have also been victims of trauma.  Her faith in God has nursed her through good and bad times.  Later, she experienced the loss of a baby which led her to experience a severe mental health crisis.  Once again, her faith in God led her to a complete mental recovery. God later blessed her with two beautiful little girls. She encourages families who have lost a child through miscarriage, infertility, and stillbirth.  Her motto is “Use your trials as a stepping- stone, not as a burial ground.” Harriette believes that all her life events have inspired her to create incredible stories that motivate others.

In the past, she has served as a Youth Pastor, Praise Leader, and Community Outreach Coordinator through the church that her parents pastored for many years.  She has acquired over 18 years of professional experience during her years as a Mental Health Crisis Specialist, A Child Abuse Investigator, A foster care worker, and a Personal care attendant for disabled adults.  Harriette graduated from Sam Houston State University with a B.A in Sociology.  She has authored 3 books and has many more stories to tell. Her strength comes from her relationship with God, her family, and beautiful Texas sunny days.

AllisonJanel: How would you describe your SwagHer? What makes Harriette, Harriette?

Harriette: I was in my late twenties before I finally accepted my full-figured body, my dark brown face, and my style. I had always struggled with low self-esteem as a result of being bullied in school and being called “ugly” the majority of my life. One day, the sky opened up for me and I realized that God made me who I am.  I have my mother’s face and dark skin.  No one in my family is even close to thin.  We are a strong family of faith and I eventually fell in love with who God made me.  Embracing myself with all my flaws and strengths makes Harriette, Harriette.

AllisonJanel: Did you always have a relationship with GOD?

Harriette: No I did not.  I thought I did because my parents were both Ministers.  I relied on their faith and prayers to get me through hard times.  I went on what they told me. However, After I was kidnapped and nearly killed, I began to pray and talk to God for myself.  I developed my own personal relationship with him. No one could heal my broken heart because it was too far gone. I called on God for strength and he gave it to me.  I knew for sure that not only was God real, but he answers prayers.

AllisonJanel: How has your relationship with GOD, helped you heal and forgive your oppressors for the unjust transgression they imposed on you?

Harriette: Jesus Christ told his followers to forgive others so that God could forgive you.  He didn’t say it was an easy or instant thing to do.  After my kidnapping and rape, I tried to forgive the man who raped me, but I could not.  I had to drop out of college my senior year, my body went through a terrible season, I had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and I hated men for a very long time.  If it had not been for my father praying for me and with me, during my season of healing, I would not have forgiven. I realized that Jesus Christ wanted me to forgive that man who raped me so that I could be free.  Forgiveness doesn’t give the oppressor a pass, but it frees your heart so that God can be the judge.   I realized that as long as I hated that man, I kept him close to my heart.  I set him free because I chose to forgive him.  In turn, I set myself free so I could move on with my life.

AllisonJanel: How long were you kidnapped for? What type of trauma did you encounter? Explain your journey to healing and the processes that you took to get there?

Harriette: I was held at gunpoint for 8 hours.  The man had befriended me earlier that morning and invited himself to church with me that night.  I thought I was doing something good by taking him to church. However, after church and dinner, he refused to take me home. I didn’t realize until then that this man had evil intentions all along.  He looked at me and told me, “I’m going to rape you, kill you, and throw your body in a ditch.”  I could tell by his face that he had every intention of doing just that.  I was raped, but after he put the gun to the back of my head, he said that something changed his mind.  He took me home after holding me for 8 hours at gunpoint.  I suffered PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) for 2 years after the event. I gained 50 pounds on purpose so that no man would ever want to look at me.  I stopped wearing makeup and doing my hair.  I went into a deep depression with the lack of sleep and I began clawing my skin and pinching it hard, just so I could feel something.  My mind, body, and soul had become numb to pain.  One thing I did was pray at night for God to help me.  Since no counseling was offered to me by the court, my family literally nursed me back to health. 

AllisonJanel: What advice would you give to young women to stay safe, especially in the current days of human trafficking on the rise?

Harriette: Well, we teach our children to never ride with strangers.  Surprisingly, young women will hitchhike, ride with a friend of a friend, or ride with people they don’t know.  I thought I knew the man who befriended me, but I did not. I thought since my church was only a few blocks away, that I was being safe.  I would tell them that they should never ride with strangers or even those you just met. Don’t ignore that sense of danger that God put in each and every one of us.  I would tell them to pray and ask God to keep them safe.  God will do his part by giving us good people around us and he gave us intuition.  If we listen, we can avoid so much danger. 

AllisonJanel: What would you tell someone who loses faith because of what they have endured?

Harriette: I would tell them that most strong Christians have lost faith in their journey, with God.  It is a journey and there are bumps in the road.  God’s word, The Holy Bible, never promises any struggles or pain in life.  As a matter of fact, God constantly says, “I’ll be with you in trouble and I’ll strengthen you.” Jesus Christ wept when his friend died, although he knew he was going to raise him up.  Now if Jesus cried, I know I’m going to.  It’s ok to lose faith and question your relationships, but just make sure you find your way back home to God. God is the only constant in a world of constant changing madness.

AllisonJanel: I cannot imagine losing a child, what advice would you give to some who just recently is going through a loss?

Harriette: My advice would first be to the family of someone who just lost a child.  Family and friends mean well, but they usually say the wrong things.  For instance, “God picked a flower.  We’ll at least you didn’t get to bond with the baby.  You’ll be ok.” That is not what grieving parents need to hear at that time.  They don’t need to hear a bunch of Bible verses at that time.   Sometimes the best thing to do is just sit quietly with the family.  Don’t feel pressure to come up with an encouraging word.  When the person cries, hold their hand.  When they want to talk then you talk.   Cook for them, clean their house, or something like that.  Just be there.  For someone who just lost a child, take it one day at a time.   Don’t feel a need to rush and “get better.”  Take all the time you need to let your heart heal, get plenty of rest, and cry as much as needed. Keep the hope that the sun will shine again.

AllisonJanel: What does Faith mean to you?

Harriette: Faith means believing in something that you can not see.  When I turn on the lights, I have the faith they will come on.  However, if I didn’t pay my electric bill, I wouldn’t have the faith that the lights would come on.  People put their faith in something.  Some put faith in everything Scientist say.  They put faith in nature, their education, or career. Since I put my faith in Jesus Christ, I believe that he loves me and will take me to heaven one day.  I would say make sure that whatever your faith is in can save your life and soul.

AllisonJanel: What are the names of the books that you have written?

Harriette? My first book is called “Coffee Time with Daddy” That is the book that details my experience with trauma, rape, and recovery.  It gives step by step instructions on how to recover from life’s trauma. My first novel is called, “The Conversion of The Thug.” This book is fiction but filled with hope and intense drama.  My main character is a former gang member who gives his life to Christ.  He is taken back in time by an Angel. There is an evil cycle that has destroyed his family for generations, and he has a secret weapon that he never knew about.  Everyone loves this book because it is filled with spiritual warfare and wisdom. Finally, my most recent book is called, “By This Time Next Year.”  This novel is awesome because it addresses so many topics that I have went through in my life.  Although it is a novel, there is the loss of a child, a mental health crisis, and all kinds of life challenges.  There is also a lot of comedy in the book that will have you laughing out loud.  I wanted to show that life is filled with joy and sorrow.  My audience for all my books are ages 13 to 20-year-olds.

AllisonJanel: I see that you have served in your church, what was that experience like?

Harriette: My parents were pastors, for many years.  As the pastor’s daughter, I was thrown into service. As a young adult, I had the heart to serve God and see my parents succeed. I have been a praise leader.  My father gave me the microphone when I was 2 years old and I never gave it back.  I served as a community outreach coordinator and youth pastor.  Did I mention I was the church secretary?  The point is, I basically served wherever I was needed.  It was not easy, but we made it successfully for many years.  I served alongside my mother after my father died.  She became the Senior Pastor, and we, her family, were right beside her.  Sadly, a few years ago, my mother had to give the church up because the load was too great.  We had no regrets about the years of service or the lives that were forever changed during those years.  I love the church that I currently attend.

AllisonJanel: What led you to become a Mental Health Crisis Specialist?

Harriette: After graduating from college, I asked God to put me where I was supposed to be.  The job listing grabbed my attention.  I felt that God had already prepared me for this intense job.  As pastors, my parents exposed me to those with mental and physical disabilities, all my life.  It was natural to me to give hope to those in crisis.  My job was to walk clients through crisis situations.  Some had attempted suicide, some were planning suicide, and some were planning to kill someone else.  God empowered me to do that job because it was literally life and death every day.  I connected those in crisis with a mental health inpatient hospital or counselor. Some people needed medication to help them deal with the crisis. 

AllisonJanel: So tell us more about what you’re currently working on?

Harriette: My publisher enjoyed my newest release, “By This Time Next Year.”  She enjoyed it so much that she challenged me to write a sequel.  I had never wanted to write a sequel nor felt that I could.  I took the challenge and now am writing a sequel to the book.  We follow the characters to see where they are now. I am going to address some topics in this book that I haven’t read before.   I am in the research phase right now.  I am interviewing people and traveling to gather more information required to write.  I am excited because those reading the current book, love it.  They have asked for a sequel so that is a good sign that it will be successful.

AllisonJanel: What continues to keep you motivated?

Harriette: My two little girls motivate me every day.  They are preschool age so we have a long way to go.  I want them to have financial stability.  I want to leave a legacy behind so they can have a piece of my life’s work.  I am motivated by the stories that I have in my heart.  Every time I think that I have written my last book, another story springs in my heart.  I discovered that God gave me a gift of writing when I was 11 years old.  I took the gift and wrote what was in my heart.

AllisonJanel: What inspires you to help others?

Harriette: My faith in Christ inspires me every day.  I read where Jesus Christ was moved with compassion to help people.  He is my example and since he is in my heart, I am moved to help those in need.  My heart aches for those in pain, confusion, and distress.  God has given me a gift to inspire others through my writing and motivational speaking. I will help anyone that needs it if I can make a difference in someone’s life, I will.

AllisonJanel: Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you care to share?

Harriette: I have a book signing coming up on March 28, 2020, at Barnes and Noble in Tyler, Texas.  Keep up with me on Facebook because I am doing several online interviews that will motivate and inspire you. There is more to come so just keep up.  I go where I am invited to speak and help others. If you invite me, I will come.

Connect with Harriet below.

Website:  www.harriettepatrickbarron.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/harriettebarron77

Facebook: www.facebook.com/harriettepatrickbarronauthor77

Amazon: www.amazon.com/auhor/harriettebarron

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQHlsMVUn2NOkBjuNBlL4Cg