For those of you who know me on a more personal level, know “my story” on life and what has shaped me and is still shaping me into the woman I am becoming. This is a story that I keep to myself, for the most part, because with talking about this, it can get emotional, personal, and deeeep. YIKES! So, here goes nothing…
At the age of two years old, I was taken from my birth parents due to their indulgence in drugs. I do not remember much about that time in my life, since I was so young. My two older birth siblings were also taken away due to my birth parents drug addiction. We all three were lucky enough to have different family take us into their home and raise us like their own. All three of us had separate lives now, but were all able to remain in a relationship. For me, that meant parents who loved me and loved The Lord along with gaining a baby sister and a baby brother. In the upcoming years, I would have visits with my birth parents when they were capable. You can imagine how confusing this could be at the age of eight. It was almost like having a secretive life. I had a picture perfect family at church and at school, and then I had this other family that I hardly ever talked about. I was embarrassed to share with others that this was my life.
While I was younger, I was not worried about the emotional tole I would later be feeling from my family situation. To me, this life was just normal, until it wasn’t. I was hit by emotions that I did not even know were there. not loved. not worthy. not wanted. While working through these emotions, I discovered more about God and my situation then I knew were there. Stepping back out of all that has happened and looking at what God has done, is truly amazing. So lets look at it through that perspective now.
At the age of two years old, I was placed in a home where I would be raised learning about Jesus Christ. I gained two new siblings who love me and take me as their own. God has allowed my life to be the way it is because He wants to make me relatable to people, so I can get to people to share about Him. For that, I thank God. Thank you God for allowing me this hard, difficult, confusing life. Thank you for showing me that You always loved me, You always saw me as worthy, and that I will always be wanted and pursued by You.
Now when asked to share my story, it still gets emotional, personal, and deep, BUT I had a change in perspective. While I was embarrassed of my story before, I am now proud. This is because this is not my story to share, this is the story God has perfectly crafted together for me to share. How humbling is that? God has molded you and shaped you in His image, to be able to bring glory to His kingdom. If this story brings glory to His kingdom, than it shall be shared!
“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.”
Isaiah 61:3
