Your Story

There were a few very crucial conversations that took place last night. One of which got me thinking quite a bit about my story, my journey, my life experiences: how did I get where I am today.

First, it's important to understand the word testimony. 

Okay, so the dictionary definition of testimony doesn't really explain anything. What is a testimony? It's your journey, it's your story, it's your path. 

Looking back on my short 22 years of life, I have a lot of events that fold into my testimony. There are a lot of defining moments that got me to where I am today, some were great and some were less then pleasant. But it's me. It's my story. It's my relationship with God. Reality is, my story isn't over, it's just beginning.

The next thing is to realize that everyone has a story. Everyone has a journey. And everyone has a testimony. It may be drastically different then yours, but it's theirs. Have an open heart. Have compassion. 

Back to your story: what makes you who you are? Is there one defining moment that you can look back and say "that changed the path of my life drastically", are there a lot of smaller moments that you can look back and say "everything tied together made me who I am today"? Begin to think about those times in life that seem to be written in stone in your memory, the things that no matter how many experiences you have, you will always carry those with you, the things that spark emotion, hurt, or happiness. Are they things people know about you? Are they things that you have buried deep down inside and are afraid to let resurface? 

I have somewhat of a hate for the statement to "not let circumstances or past define you". Lets be raw and real here, your life experiences, the things that happen to you mold who you are. What I do agree with is the statement that "it's what you do with the experiences". That is HUGE. People are right, your past shouldn't define you? Wait what? It's part of your past, of course it is part of you!! Whether you like it or not it is and always will be part of you, but it's what you did with the event/experience that starts to mold your life. When you let God have control over your life, these moments will begin to shift and change, you will view your path a little differently then before, the moments you face from that point forward will be different. 

Pray. Pray relentlessly. Have a childlike faith. Know God has a plan bigger for you then you could ever dream up yourself.

Have a sparkling day! 

XO- M