We all have a story to tell.

Each and every one of us.

And, each of our stories will vary as much as our faces do.

Your story will not look like mine.

And, my story will not look like yours.

Nor should it.

We are, each of us,

uniquely woven together.

We are, each of us,

fearfully, and wonderfully made.

And make no mistake,

regardless of what your story looks like,

in whatever manner your story has been written,

it is significant;

it is meaningful;

and, it is essential.

You see;

You matter.

And your story?

It matters, too.

But, maybe you don’t like your story.

The lines on the plastic stick, were pink.

I was devastated.

This could not be happening to me.

How could I be pregnant?

I mean, I knew how I could be pregnant.....

It's just that, I couldn't believe that I actually was.

I was unmarried.

I was unsure what to do,

and I was afraid.

I cannot tell you how difficult a situation I was in.

You see, unmarried, Christian girls, are not supposed to get pregnant.

But, I did.

I was “that girl”.

Maybe you think your story is insignificant,

or unimportant.

Maybe you feel that your life;

your experiences;

your joys and sorrows;

are too tiny to be of value.

Maybe you think that your story

is so far from intriguing,

that you believe it's not worth sharing.

It is.

Your story, is worth telling.

Your life,

and your experiences,

are of significant value and worth.

You have something to say;

something to contribute;

and something to share.

Or maybe, you think your story is too ugly.

Maybe you feel that it is so full of brokenness;

so full of pain and suffering;

so wrought with wrong choices and bad mistakes;

so fashioned with blatant failure;

that it’s just too ugly to share.

Hear me when I say this......

Someone is waiting to hear your story.

Someone is breaking;

grieving in silence;

believing they are alone in their suffering,

not knowing that you, also, have walked,

or, are walking, a similar journey.

Beloved daughter,

Your story needs to be told,

no matter what it is.

It doesn't matter if you feel it so inconsequential

that it couldn't possibly make a difference.

Nor does it matter if you feel it is so offensive

that no one would ever want to hear it.

Because, someone does need to hear your story.

Someone, somewhere, is waiting to hear what you have to say.

Somewhere, a woman is walking a difficult, broken road,

and she is walking it alone.

But, she shouldn't need to.

Because you, daughter, could be a champion.

You can be brave.

You, who have walked,

or is walking, a similar broken road,

can tell your story,

so that she knows she is not walking alone.

Are you "that girl"?

Are you unmarried and pregnant?

Are you covered in shame?

I know your shame.

I know that fear.....

fear of condemnation;

fear of being ostracized;

fear for your future.....

I know what it's like to carry the consequences of your choices.

I know you;

I walked that road.

I would love to walk with you, if you'd let me.

Contact me here.

Maybe your story isn't meant to published, like mine, on a blog.

Perhaps your story is meant to be spoken one on one, with a friend,

or possibly with a friend, of a friend.

Speak it to her.

It could be that your story should be shared in a small group of friends.

Speak it to those few.

Or is it possible that you need to go bigger with your story?

Maybe you do need to write, or blog your story, for the world,

or at least a part of it, to read?

Speak it to those readers.

Maybe you need to speak your story from the pulpit at your church,

or from a stage of a different sort.

What people group would benefit from your experiences?

Who could learn from words you have to voice?

Will you speak it to them?

Oh, how I wish that, we as ladies,

could be courageous and vulnerable!

Imagine how we could celebrate one another,

encourage one another,

support one another,

love one another,

if we could only be brave enough to speak our stories aloud!

And, what if your story could speak hope,

into what could, for some be,

a hopeless situation.

What if your story could shine light,

into someone's darkest of nights?

Are you willing?

Could you be willing?

Would you be willing?

For those of you walking in brokenness right now;

For those of you who are not yet ready to tell your story:

For those of you who feel like you are being swallowed up by darkness;

Don't give up,

and don't give in.

Because, I promise you,

you are not alone.

There is someone who has gone through,

or is going through, what you are, right now.

Will you do the hard thing and ask for help?

Will you break the silence keeping so many of us in bondage?

Will you ask someone to walk your broken road alongside you?

Contact me here, if you want to, but don't know where to start.

You matter.

Your story?

It matters.

Someone needs to hear it.

It might even be me.

And let me leave you with one last thought;

words I spoke to a friend about her story......

"Your story is still being written.

Maybe you don't like the chapter,

or perhaps even the chapters,

that you are in right now.

But, trust me!

The story is going to get better!

Your story is going to be an inspiration

to so many people around you!

Your story is going to bring hope,

and comfort,

and LIFE!

to those who have none.

I know this because,

I have faith in you!

I know this because,

I know the Author of your story."