When was the last time you felt completely at rest—not just physically, but fully within your soul? In a world full of constant noise, endless notifications, and pressure to keep moving, it’s easy to lose the one thing that truly grounds us—peace. But the kind of peace that brings real rest doesn’t come from sleep, vacations, or even silence. It comes from a place far more sacred. It comes from stillness in the presence of God—a place the world cannot touch. That place is what Patricia Lloyd calls the secret place. Throughout I Love Me: Finding Peace in the Midst, Patricia reminds us that peace is not something we stumble upon. It’s something we intentionally pursue. And it’s found in our most private, raw moments with God. It’s not about entering a building. It’s about entering His presence. She paints a picture of spiritual intimacy that goes beyond church walls, beyond public worship, and into a sacred space where we don’t have to perform, explain, or pretend. The secret place is where we can finally be honest, vulnerable, and real.

Patricia’s words are tender but bold. She describes the secret place as a personal sanctuary—not a physical location necessarily, but a space where your spirit connects with God’s. This could be a quiet room, a park bench, a car ride, or even a simple moment at the kitchen sink. What matters isn’t where you are, but what you’re willing to surrender. In this place, the distractions fade. The pretending stops. You step away from the crowd and into quiet communion with the One who knows you best. In her journey, she shares the struggle of becoming so caught up in helping others and going through spiritual motions that she forgot to nurture her own soul. She became tired, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually worn down. That kind of weariness doesn’t always come from doing bad things—it often comes from doing good things without spiritual rest. The turning point came when she learned that even service needs to be fueled by intimacy with God. When she began spending time in that sacred space with Him, everything started to change. It wasn’t dramatic or loud. It was quiet, slow, and strongly healing.

In that stillness, she discovered that God wasn’t waiting for perfection. He was waiting for presence. The more she entered into this space, the more she was able to hear the still, calm voice of God. Not as a faraway echo, but as a close whisper to her spirit. It became clear that peace wasn’t something to chase—it was something to receive. And that kind of peace could only come from spending real time in the presence of her Creator. Patricia writes with great sincerity about what it means to love yourself—not in a self-centered way, but in a way that shows God’s love for you. She realized that building a secret place wasn’t a luxury—it was a lifeline. It became the space where she found clarity, regained purpose, and allowed herself to heal. This wasn’t about checking off a spiritual to-do list. It was about being still long enough to feel God’s love again. That kind of love becomes the foundation for everything else—your faith, your calling, your ability to serve, and your ability to love others.

What makes this journey so relatable is that Patricia never presents herself as someone who’s figured it all out. She openly shares her struggles with doubt, with delay, with feeling unworthy. But she also shows that even in the messiest moments, God’s presence is available. And it is in the quiet corners of life—the unpolished places—that His voice speaks loudest. The most beautiful revelation is that the secret place is not something reserved for the spiritually elite. It’s for everyone. It’s for the single mom trying to make ends meet. It’s for the overworked student, the heartbroken spouse, the burned-out leader, and the searching soul. It’s for those who feel too busy, too broken, or too far gone. The invitation is simple: come as you are, and meet Him there.

This sacred space becomes where your rags—your past hurts, your failures, your hidden pain—are gathered not to be discarded, but to be transformed. It’s where your story becomes something you share, your burdens become breakthroughs, and your silence becomes sacred. The secret place is not about isolation. It’s about intimacy. It’s not about stepping away from the world forever—it’s about stepping into the world with a strength that comes from within. What Patricia Lloyd beautifully shows is that this kind of peace doesn’t just heal you—it prepares you. When you spend time in that sacred space, you don’t just survive life’s challenges. You step into them with clarity, purpose, and compassion. You no longer operate from exhaustion or fear, but from grace and confidence.

The secret place becomes the quiet foundation of a bold life. It anchors you when storms hit. It strengthens your voice when you feel small. And it brings you back to truth when the world tries to distract you with lies. It’s the safest place you’ll ever know—and the most powerful. If your soul has been restless lately, maybe it’s time to return to that quiet place. Not just to find peace—but to remember who you are.