Finding Laughter Through Seasons of Pain

LAUGHING THROUGH THE PAIN

Molly Stillman grew up in a loving Irish Catholic family with a front-row seat watching her parent's deep love and affection for one another. Both her parents were recovering alcoholics. Humor and laughter were an integral part of their lives. So much so that Molly decided at a young age that she wanted to be a comedian. Not just any comedian though. One who would star on Saturday Night Live.

Her father Tom was a teacher and golf coach, and her mother Lynda was a nurse who served in Vietnam during the war. When her mom returned home from Vietnam nobody said thank you for helping soldiers and saving lives. Instead, she was spit on and disrespected. Molly’s mom wrote a best-selling memoir about her experience entitled, Home Before Morning. Lynda’s exposure to the toxic chemical, Agent Orange, caused an eight-year illness that culminated in her death in November 2002. Molly was only 17 years old. Brokenhearted and unsure of what to do, Molly just kept going through the motions of life. Using humor to hide the pain was how she coped, but that could only last so long.

When Molly turned 21 years old, she received an unexpected check from an estranged family member for nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Having no idea how to manage that amount of money, she spent it quickly, ending up broke. Contemplating suicide, she called her bank crying and eventually got in touch with a compassionate financial counselor who helped her through it. 

SPIRITUAL LIFE

Growing up Catholic, Molly’s family believed in God, but Molly didn’t know Him personally. She struggled with her faith after her mom died and turned away from the Lord. When she met John at work, it took time before she realized that there was something different about him. After they started hanging out, he mentioned something about checking out a new church and Molly blurted out, “Can I go with you?” She couldn’t believe those words came out of her mouth since she hadn’t stepped foot into church in years. But something inside of her wanted to go.

The morning of the service, Molly was so nervous. There was a University of North Carolina (UNC) guest speaker. As a big UNC fan, Molly listened intently. As the young basketball player shared his testimony, Molly was touched. She explains, “I realized, in that moment, that this conversation was the very first time in my entire life that I’d ever really, truly heard the gospel articulated.” Molly left the church that day with the hope that she had a bigger purpose than just making people laugh. Molly quietly prayed, “Okay, God, I’m here. I hear you. Speak, because I’m listening.” That was the beginning of her coming back to the Lord. Molly kept attending church and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. 

LIFE ON THE FARM

She and John married in 2012 and started a family a few years later. Owning a farm someday was a dream they shared. Molly’s blog Still Being Molly took off and was doing so well that she was able to quit her job and work on the blog full-time. 

After years of saving for land and searching for the right fit, in 2020 a property with over ten acres, a white house with black shutters, two barns, and a creek running through came on the market. They quickly put in an offer, and it was accepted. That’s how Selah Farm was born. They moved to the property in 2020. On the farm, there are barn cats, chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, and goats. Fresh produce is grown onsite, and they raise chickens and turkeys.

MOLLY’S PODCAST

On her weekly podcast, Can I Laugh on Your Shoulder? you’ll find honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Molly’s mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

Discover more about Molly Stillman at her website: StillBeingMolly.com. To purchase Molly's book, If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry, please click the link: If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry.