Sharing your story can be hard. So hard. In all honesty, it’s something I struggle with a lot. When I think about sharing my story all these fears flood my head like rejection, comparison, & judgements, just to name a few.
I have shared my story a few times, & every time I get a little bit nervous, maybe you can relate. But, I’ve come to the point where I am ready, I have decided to not let the devil have this fear of mine!
I have learned that owning our story and loving ourselves through the process is one of the bravest things that will ever do & as hard as it is to fight the fears that could go on in your head, I strongly believe sharing your story could impact people more than any of us realize.
Before I share my story, I want you to know this. Your story may not be what you want it to be, the road may be bumpy & filled with lots of surprises. Sometimes your heart may be so weighed down you can hardly stand it. But, you will quickly learn if you haven’t already, that life may not be as easy & smooth as it is cracked up to be, but that is what makes your story amazing! We all have different stories to tell, & each one of them are so special, & delighted in their own ways. So, don’t be ashamed of your story, because your story is beautiful.
So, here’s mine.
I was very fortunate & I grew up in a Christian home. We always went to church as much as we could, making it a priority. I have amazing parents that uplift me and they always point me towards Christ.
I have 3 older siblings, (& a younger one), & growing up I wanted to be nothing less than amazing just like them. I admired them so much. I was saved when I️ was 8 years old, by my sister. When I was young, all 3 of my older siblings went to college. This was very hard on me as a kid, & it really still is to this day. The most recent one was my older brother, him & I were super tight, bc we are the most alike, so when he moved away it was one of the hardest times of my life.
Even though I was young when I was saved, & it may seem like I don’t have an incredible life changing story about when I got saved, my life did change that day. It’s amazing to know that when I die I will spend eternity with the Lord and that I am loved. It’s so special to me that I am wanted and created for a greater purpose. You are too!
So, as a young kid, I went through life loving sports, my family, & friends. But, sixth grade was honestly a rough year for me. It was the year I learned the most spiritually, but it was horrific. Sixth grade was a year I started looking for something greater in the world than in Christ. It was a year I don’t like to go back & look on and at times I wish I could erase it. My brother went to college that year, I had some friend issues, & made decisions that I wish I wouldn’t have & will regret for the rest of my life. I struggled hardcore. In all honesty, I was a typical insecure middle school kid.
Seventh grade rolls around & it feels like I have my feet back under me again. The Lord really showed up & sent me friendships I am so thankful for, but one in particular. There was this one person that encouraged me daily, & really showed me the joy of the Lord through actions & through loving me.
Behind the mask I wore to hide behind the lies of the world, I was shattered. I was making bad decisions, not showing others Christ as I should’ve. I didn’t know how much I needed help in this stage of life. Thankfully, I had people around me who poured truth into me, & helped point me back to the Lord.
The biggest lesson that I have learned would not be evident if I had not gone through all the hard times I did. I fell in this deep trap that I was too broken for Jesus. I thought I was in too many shattered pieces & had done too much wrong that I could not be used for the good of the Lord.
But I quickly learned that that is a huge lie.
I learned that you are never too broken for the grace of the Lord and that Jesus is always on my side. Crazy right? Jesus? Friend of sinners? Yes! That is the coolest thing ever.
Jesus has called us to stand out for his good & he wants us in his kingdom! If that doesn’t make you pumped, I don’t know what will.
If there is one thing I want you to get out of this blog it is this- God is good enough to bring us out of the pit that we are currently in, but he loves us too much to keep us there. I
want you to know that Jesus wants you, no matter how broken you are & that he will always be standing waiting on you with arms wide open to come running to him with your full heart.
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