Once upon a time....What's YOUR Story?

      So...what's your story? The amazing thing about being alive is the fact that we each have our own story. I think that is awesome. Different experiences, different people, different perspectives, different chances, different trials, different victories, and the list goes on.... Sometimes we get so focused on just parts of our stories don't we? Sometimes we focus too much on our pasts, the hurts that we've been through, the good times we used to share with the people we love, people that have come in and out of our lives that we wish were still present. Sometimes we focus too much on the future...what we will become, life goals, work goals, finally reaching our dreams. If you're like me, I often get caught up focusing on the present day, what is happening now and I don't reflect as much on the past or the future as I maybe should. All of these past, present, and future...tell our story. All are equally important in knowing who we are, how far we have come, and where we are going.

    Life is huge. So many possibilities and directions one can choose to go. No wonder life gets overwhelming at times. Our choices shape our lives and that's a pretty big deal. If we all took that fact a little bit more seriously, we'd probably all make some different choices wouldn't we. Live and learn I guess. Too bad we're not born wise right? If I could go back...there would definitely be some things I would do differently... Like I wouldn't have watched the movie JAWS because to this day... i still jump at shadows in my pool. I wouldn't have bought into the perfect body image garbage when I was a teenager which led to an eating disorder in my early 20's. I would have treated a few people more tenderly than I did. I would have been bolder with a few people as well. Annnd I would definitely started using face moisturizer WAY before now. These are just a few of the things that I would love to go back and change. But I can't. And that's okay too... because I am a better person now than I was then. Stronger. Wiser. Kinder. Bolder. And I love that about life too... we have a chance to BECOME BETTER than we were yesterday.

   My source of strength to face life head on since I was very young has always come from my Savior. Who I am, I am because of Jesus. Life happened and is happening and will happen.... but He is what makes my life beautiful. The mistakes, the pain, the hurtful life circumstances... he's turned the ashes into beauty. All the good things in me...the things I have been able to experience, the good things I have been able to do, the lives I have been able to impact for good...have all come from Him working in my life.
     One thing I have realized so far about life... my story is just a story... just one little person's life experience in this big huge world. But only God can take my little life story...and make it something completely amazing and meaningful. Some people might disagree with me on this, that you need God to make your life meaningful. But it's true. Without God... you live, you die, and some people might remember you for a while..but then they die and no one is really impacted by your life. BUT with God as the center of your life...you share Him with the people around you. His Truth never returns void. People might not remember my name but for every person that I share Jesus and His Truth with... that will go on and on and on... that legacy never dies.

   Your story needs to be shared. No matter what it contains. Your story is Powerful. So many times, Christians believe they don't have a testimony to share because they have never really done anything terrible so they don't feel as though they can relate to people who need to hear about Jesus. The Truth is... people don't really NEED YOUR story... they need JESUS. Give them TRUTH. You do not have to walk a mile in someone's shoes in order to introduce them to Jesus who CAN set them free from whatever it is that binds them. Your story is powerful...BECAUSE JESUS IS IN IT. So don't be afraid to share what you know about living for Jesus. Your story IS enough to share the truth locked inside of it.

    Another fun nugget of Truth... God meets us wherever we are, He is constantly ready to bring us closer to Him and who He's called us to be. Even as I write this blog, I've been reflecting on some things on my past and dreams for my future, I have been given some revelations about God's grace in
my life and as a few tears have fallen just now... I am growing right here, in this moment. How amazing is that? I love life with Jesus... no one may ever know all the details of my story...but I can tell you, thanks to Jesus...it really is beautiful.

Love your story sweet friends.... Let Jesus hold the pen.
                                  Bless ya! -darby