Stories can mean multiple different things. Depending on your own personal story. Stories are our testimonies. A year ago when I was a part of our MOPS program (MOPS is Mothers Of Preschoolers), we actually talked about stories. This was really cool and I thought it tied in with our theme this year. Arielle Estoria said that “stories were in our DNA” and I thought that was really cool how she worded that. That it’s literally inside of us and we live for stories. Stories help us connect on a deeper level to each other, so it’s by our stories and sharing with each other we are actually able to connect deeper. I mean think about the stories that are in our daily lives. We have stories all around us whether it’s in person, or over podcasts, or on TV and movies. It’s everywhere and those stories shape our lives.
So why is it we (and by we I mean me) think our stories don’t matter or are not important enough to share? Growing up I thought my story was kinda boring. There was no crazy plot twist or dramatic life change. I grew up in the church and I pretty much followed all the rules set before me. As I look back today on my entire life I can see the story that I missed when I was younger. Here is the short version.
I grew up in church my entire life, I was there anytime the doors were open. I got saved at a very young age and baptized when I was 10. {Mom, hopefully, I got that age right. I remember being baptized and what that meant then afterward walking behind the baptistery into a room to change and dry my hair. My mom was prepared because she brought a hairdryer, also let it be known I had a lot of hair as a child and it would take forever to dry. So for that, I was super thankful.} But I digress, I’ve always served in the church in a variety of ministries and went on to Bible College for my degree. I may have not strayed and got into dark things, but I stayed. And I’m so thankful for that. I know that my story is worth something and not worthless. I am no longer ashamed to share my story and after learning the fact that I deal with anxiety and how that has played out throughout my life. I know I have been given the opportunity to speak into people’s lives and encourage them in their own mental health struggles. So long story short I’m thankful!
I pray that this blog today was an encouragement to you and can help in your daily life. Always know I am available to pray with you or just be someone to talk to when life gets hard. E-mail me at megan@churchanywhere.us if you need prayer!
Talk to you next Monday!