We are created to go out on a limb,

to be the limb.

We are the branches and He is the vine.

We were created to take chances on ourselves.

To put ourselves out there.

To grab fruit off of a branch requires stretching.

Stretching of self.

Stretching of faith.

Stretching of our hearts.

And our hearts have not been called to the sidelines.

We have not been called to sit beside and watch

the world go by.

Life is not a spectator sport.

Discrediting who you are and trying to shrink yourself

is not a passport to escape this life with as little casualties as possible.

The goal of life isn’t to jump through hoops and try not to feel.

Being strong doesn’t mean going through life unhurt.

Being strong means going through life with an open heart.

Open hearts demand risk.

Be you and don’t be afraid of

the God given zeal that will ooze out of you.

Don’t apologize for the way your soul sees the world.

Don’t back down from your brokenness.

Be you.

Own it and run with it.

Love fiercely.

Feel deeply.

And create anything your heart has ever dreamed of.

And it might be a little messy and it might get a little

out of control.

But this is a lesson I have to keep re-learning.

Is that life was not penciled in perfect ballpoint lines.

When God made the universe I can guarantee lines were the last thing

he was worried about.

Have you ever watched an artist paint and been amazed that the

once empty canvas now carries a million stories?

That was God creating the universe,

the heavens,

and you.

He took a paint brush, bottled up his imagination,

and watched as you began to take form.

You are his dream.

You are not random.

You are not something to be taken lightly.

He was incredibly passionate and intentional when he created you.

You have a million stories wrapped up in you

and they're not going to look like any body else’s.

Write, paint, design, create.

Do whatever awakens your soul

and don’t be afraid of it.

Create.

Because you showcase a face of God only

you could show.

God looks different to every single person and that's

the beauty of it.

We were created in his image and yet

no two people have the same fingerprints.

So…

The moral of my story.

The reason of my rhyme.

Being you is the greatest gift you can give

and the world is waiting for your story.