A conversation between my youngest and his friend, “Where’s your mom going tomorrow?” Answer, “She’s going to Indy to share her testimony.” “That’s cool.”
Testimony: Evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something.
I started writing this blog because I found myself speaking in hushed corners with people, people like me who needed hope when their life didn’t match the storybook, picket fence image. People like me who walked in silent hopelessness full of shame and brokenness. I shared hope with them, because I knew similar pain. And we understood each other.
This weekend, I’ll be sharing my Hope Beyond the Picket Fence story testimony. It’s not a pretty one, like that picket fence image. It’s filled with dirt, weeds, and manure.
While the pain of our picket fence journey is still fresh and being vulnerable with it is scary, I find ease in sharing it with anyone who needs hope of a Living God who redeems lives and restores broken dreams.
I’ve lived and learned that hope and restoration isn’t elusive like that picket fence image. It’s not a feel-good front we put on when our world is falling apart.
It’s acknowledging when life is full of dirt, manure, and weeds, good things can still grow.
It’s allowing the Gardner of Hope to weed out the destructive elements, receiving His forgiveness so something beautiful can grow from the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25). It’s making hard choices, choosing humility over rights.
I’ll be real: being vulnerable is risky business. So is sharing God’s grace.
Walking a hard road alone is the perfect recipe for hopelessness. But when we share our journeys, we become the hands and feet of Jesus, for His honor and glory, coming alongside each other offering hope. Where do you need hope? Where have you risked being vulnerable in order to share in someone’s journey, providing them hope? We would love to hear your story.
Readers, if this ministry has ministered to you, will you pray that God’s restorative grace be poured out as I share my story this weekend, that women struggling with things of life will be set free of shame and brokenness, and receive Hope in a Living God who redeems lives?
In His great love and mercy, I thank you.
i find it easier to be vulnerable with strangers, people i have little chance of ever seeing again, rather than with those i am close to. i hadn’t really thought about it too much until last week in counseling and my counselor thanked me for being so honest and making myself so vulnerable with him. why am i able to tell my counselor ANYTHING, but not my husband? why is it so hard to be vulnerable with my husband? through the years i have found it easier to talk to people that i am only connected to for a short time rather than the long haul…hope your weekend went well. i’m totally loving your blog. thank you.
Michelle,
I think for many of us it’s easier to share with others, with strangers, because we don’t risk prolonged judgment or hurt. The counseling relationship is unique because of confidentiality and a relationship that focuses on inner self. Most of us don’t feel comfortable sharing intimate things unless we know it’s safe. I hope you will slowly find these safe places in your immediate world, too. But they take time, and that’s okay. I’m glad you find safety in this space – that is my hope and prayer.
In His love,
Brenda
Hi Brenda – I am sure you will do great! I have found that those who make the greatest impact on me are those who are the most transparent and the most real. Why? Because they are telling me my own story (in varying degrees) and I can believe they understand my pain at that time. Your testimony is going to be planting many many seeds of healing.
God bless
Tracy