“Other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.” – Rick Warre

Everyone in this world has faced something that has changed them forever. Whether it was something small, or monumental it has most likely impacted the way that life is for that person. Everyone has a story to tell, and they aren't all the same but all stories are so important. There are so many people out there who put their stories on blogs, and on the internet for other people to see. Sharing your story is so important because it could help other people in ways you never knew possible.

I am planning on taking my story and everything I have been through and writing a book. I want other people to be able to grow and see that even when you face really bad and tough times, that life still goes on. I have a crazy story, and it involves A LOT of loss. For the past about seven years, I have lost at least six people in my life to death. That's almost one person per year. I will be the first to tell you that it hasn't been an easy run since all of this has happened, but I have seen myself grow in ways I never thought possible. Sometimes it is hard to see how important your story is, and how much it can impact others.

The other day, I was texting my old roommate and we were just talking as we usually do about the struggles that I have faced, and she texted me something that honestly just made me tear up so quickly. She told me that my story is a beautiful one and she has seen so much growth in me since I met her last year. It is those kinds of things that I often don’t see in myself so when other people say it, it makes me step back and really just think about the importance of stories.

I used to be ashamed of telling my story. I was afraid that people were going to judge me, or leave. I did get judged (by some stupid bullies back in school) but since I have gotten older, I have really been able to see that telling my story is something I should not be ashamed of. It is not always a bad thing to open up and to be vulnerable when it comes to sharing your story with other people.

I have found it so healing to share my story, and I know that other people can be reassured and lifted up by it, because it just proves that even when tragedy strikes God is there, and He will pull you through. God all makes us and our stories unique, and we need to do Him a favor and share our gifts and experiences with the world around us.

I encourage whoever is reading this to stop being scared of sharing your story- because you never know who you will truly impact.