Everyone has a story. Sometimes we don’t share because we’re afraid of what other people will think, we doubt what we have been through will matter, we don’t want to relive the past, or we think it’s not relatable. It’s easy to underestimate the power sharing our story has on those listening. Let me tell you, how sharing my story despite having all of these concerns made an impact.
We were setting out to visit a women’s home for those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. My teammate had planned to share her testimony since she had similar struggles in the past, but when she had to stay behind for meetings, the question was asked “who’s going to share?” No one jumped at the offer, and I felt a stirring in my soul that that person would be me. I volunteered thinking that even though I haven’t personally dealt with those addictions, I am a woman and they are women, so it shouldn’t be that hard to encourage the group. As we walked to the bus stop, I found out that the recovery home was primarily men. My mind quickly thought of how I could change what I had planned to say to apply more to them. I titled it “We are Different but the Same.” I planned to encourage them that even though our past and present struggles are different, we are all loved by the same God. I had a nice little word of encouragement all jotted down.
My plans changed yet again when we arrived and found out we were indeed sharing with the only three women in the program. On the fly, I decided to share part of my testimony. I explained how I had my life all planned out, but things changed when my husband left me. I had a choice to run from God or run to Him. In those moments, I chose to lean on the one who has always been faithful which then led me on this great adventure called the World Race. After my testimony, the team and I listened to the girl’s testimonies and prayed with them. Two of the three has been abandoned by their husbands and were still grieving that loss. One girl hugged me before we left and said with tears in her eyes “your story and mine are the same.” I said, “yes, and God will make them both beautiful.”
We are different, but we are still the same. Loved daughters of the one true King.
I felt that nudge to share my testimony and was willing to do so. I was unsure of who my audience was and how my story would be received, but God knew exactly who it was for.
Never underestimate the power of telling your story. You never know who and how it will impact.
