It’s Time to Tell My Story

For a long time, I hesitated. I told myself, “No, I better not.” Fear has been a constant shadow in my life for the last 8 years, whispering that speaking out would only bring pain. I wasn’t just afraid of sharing too much about myself—I was afraid of the potential backlash and retaliation that could be directed at my son as a way to get to me. I also worried about any legal ramifications that might come from publicly discussing my situation.

One day at work, as I stood at the register during a shift at my part-time job, a friend came through my line. This is a friendship that feels complicated, maybe even frowned upon. My ex has worked relentlessly to instill a deep fear in me, convincing me that I can’t have connections with anyone associated with the church I used to attend—the same church he still goes to. And for a long time, I believed him. I avoided people connected to that place, keeping my distance and letting fear dictate my choices.

But when this friend came through my line that day, we were simply catching up on each other’s lives. It was a friendly, casual conversation. As they were walking away, they turned back and said something that caught me completely off guard: “You need to tell your story.”

Those words hit me like a lightning bolt. I knew they were right. It felt like confirmation—like God was speaking directly to my heart through them. I’ve carried this calling for so long, this quiet, persistent nudge from God to share my story. But every time, I’ve pushed it away. “Not now,” I’d say. “It’s too risky. What if it backfires?” And yet, in that moment, I knew: this isn’t about me. It’s about what God wants to do through me.

So here I am, finally taking the step I’ve avoided for so long. I’m starting this blog to tell my story. To be honest, I’m still scared. Sharing my truth feels like walking into a storm with no umbrella. But I’m choosing to trust that God will protect and guide me, even when the winds howl.

This blog is about more than just me. It’s about healing, faith, and finding strength in vulnerability. It’s about shining a light on the shadows that fear casts and reminding anyone who reads this that they’re not alone. My journey has been messy, painful, and complicated, but it’s also been filled with moments of grace and redemption. And I believe there’s power in sharing that.

You can expect to see pieces of my story here—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. I’ll write about what I’ve learned through my struggles, how faith has anchored me, and the small but significant steps I’m taking to build a life filled with hope and purpose. My prayer is that through this blog, God will use my story to encourage and inspire others, just as that friend’s words encouraged me to take this leap of faith.

To anyone reading this: thank you for being here. Thank you for giving me a chance to share my heart. I hope you’ll join me on this journey, wherever it may lead. Together, let’s find strength, hope, and maybe even a little bit of healing in the stories we tell.

It’s time to tell my story. And I’m ready.