As I write these daily blog posts, I sometimes forget what life is truly like. At many time it’s awesome. Take time to think about these triumphs with me. Like, the time you won that trophy, that time you gave a presentation and nailed it, the time you set up the perfect date for you and your spouse, the time you achieved a specific goal that you didn’t see possible, and the list goes on and on.
Aside from the triumphs you just came up with, there are terrible and tragic life stories. I’m not talking about the little bad things necessarily, but more about the terrible events that have taken place in your lifetime. It’s those kinds of stories like when you found out your spouse was leaving you, or when your sibling died, or when one or both of your parents died, or when your house burned down, or when you got into a car wreck that put you in the hospital and you didn’t have medical insurance, and the list goes on and on again. No matter who you are, you have a unique individual story that includes both the good and the bad.
There are some events that people want to share because they actually become better people for it. They want others to hear their story and want them to gain value from it. I love when that happens.
Then there are the individuals who would rather not talk about their story because they can’t talk about it without losing control of their emotions. What these people may not realize yet is that there is healing that still needs to take place to be able to share. And you know what? That’s perfectly okay. If this is you, you are not crazy. Everyone has their own grieving cycle.
And then there’s the people who desperately need to talk about their situation, not for others to learn from their story, but for relief. I am talking about those people who if they don’t tell someone about what is happening in their lives, their chest will explode.
You and everyone else you know falls into one of these three categories. Sometimes it takes looking around and realizing the world already has enough problems besides yours. Remember that when you are feeling down there is always someone else who is discouraged, wondering who will save them from the darkness they are stuck in.
This is where your story matters the most. We can always take five minutes to LISTEN to what other people need from us. Someone always has it worse than you. Who knows? Listening to what others are going through will most likely show you something very special.
@jackalopekid says
I grew up in the church my whole life because my mom kept us going. I've lived in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and now Colorado. My dad worked a ton, so we didn't see him much. I don't talk about my life in depth too much cuz it makes me uncomfortable to be honest. This mainly happens at one certain point. When I was 12, my parents got a divorce. I'm one of those "try not to think about it too much" kind of people. Yep, it's a tough age without all that stuff, so with my parent's divorce, life was a little hard. But again, it wasn't the end of the world. A lot of people have it off a lot worse. I know some people that blame their current life on past circumstances, but I still think people make that choice to hang onto rough times. But, what do I know? I'm just a jackalopekid. And that is the longest blog post I've written in a while.
ragingrambler says
When I was 2 my dad accidently backed over me with a riding lawn mower. My brother who was 5 at the time saw it and remembers it. My parents never were really able to talk about it. I had surgeries my entire life until adulthood to correct some new problem that would arise from abnormal growth. I lost my left foot and had lots of damage to my right leg. Im not 5 ft tall and should be around 5'7" My dad turned to God to get him thru and my mom never made it thru emotionally. A woman among women, she never blamed my dad for his carelessness, and neither did I. My mom left my dad shortly after because she just couldnt stay. She moved me and my brother to a small town where I and my brother were treated as freaks and the only thing that I ever wanted in life, to be accepted, was only possible around dopeheads. I pretended to be normal and doped myself up and got involved with satanists who showed me a life I had no desire to have. I have seen God's power displayed. He saved me when noone but Him could have. 'Now may Isreal say, if it had not been for the Lord who was on my side, when men rose up against me…'
@jackalopekid says
The coolest part about all this is that no matter what, you're still a somebody. Your life matters and you make a difference. And that is no matter what.
@jackalopekid says
And this is prob the most I've ever told you about myself on here. Baby steps
Betty Barrera says
I grew up in church. I fell in love with My Jesus at 12. My parents were getting a divorce. I was more faithful than ever then. All my life I’ve been the oldest daughter with the responsibilities if a mother. The burden, the guilt sometimes of ‘parenting’ the wrong way to my siblings 3 and 5 years younger than me. At age 8 I knew I didn’t want to live. Life was too much to handle already. Childhood existed briefly.
I ran away at 18. God is more evident in my life day by day. His grace has taken me from suicide to loving life. I’m now married and blessed. I’m going to one day fulfill Gods purpose in my life- preach to multitudes. My vision was smaller, His is much beyond mine.
@jackalopekid says
wow. what a testimony.
Holly Smith says
I almost died twice but God was there to save me.. The first time I was at my grandparents houseboat anf my dad and I were fishing on the dock.. I didn’t have a lifejacket on and I couldn’t swim.. I felt a tug on my line and stepped back to reel it in and fell into the water.. I began sinking fast and all I remember seeing is black all around me .. I was terrified-it all happened so fast.. My mom came outside the boat and asked my dad where I was. He didn’t realize I had falling in the water. My mom immediately jumped into the water and felt my feet and pushed me up.. I now know that was God lifting me out of the water and using my mom as a vessel..
The 2nd time I was in high school.. I was eating lunch with my friend s and listening to the conversation going on around me. I was eating a chicken sandwich and all the sudden I felt it get lodge in my throat.. I began to panic and I just knew I was going to die.. My friends didn’t realize I was in trouble,they just thought I was being quiet.. I fina;;y threw my food up all over the table.. It was embarassing but I was just glad to be alive! Normally there would have been a teacher otr 2 walking around monitoring the cafeteria -but for some reason there was not one to be found that day..
After going through these 2 traumatic experiences I have come to the conclusion that God saved me twice and He wants me still here on earth for a reason.. I just pray my life will bring honor and glory to Him.. I know now my life is no longer about me but about sharing my faith so others may come to know Him as thier Lord and Savior.. One life saved is more then worth it.. Thanks for beinning this discussion Adam. I find it refreshing to hear others being so honest about their life experiences.. I always try to keep in miind” everyone is going through something”. We all want to feel loved and accepted.. God bless you!!
@jackalopekid says
wow Holly. sounds like you've been through a whole lot of stuff. And yes God saw you through both times. You have a calling on your life. No doubt about that. This touched me more than you know. Thanks for sharing
@malikacatherine says
wow, betty did know you ran away! god has really blessed you, and you're such a blessing to me! you have such a heart for god, keep going girl!
Betty Barrera says
Thank you Malika! there is a lot more where this all came from. All the glory goes to God! You are a blessing to me too Malika!
My recent post My Manic Monday
Shellie (baylormum) says
I'm old, compared to you & the previous commenters. That could make this a 2 chapter story (comment)!
At 52 I am an addict in recovery. Telling my story online has been somehow cathartic for me. I didn't do drugs as a teen or 20 something. Not once. Didn't really like alcohol. Somewhere between my 2nd back surgery at 42 & the 3rd one in 2007 I thought I could solve all my pain with pills. As a pharmacist, I took what wasn't mine, but my employers. I got caught. I am so grateful that no charges were made, but my license is on probation for a long time. I call daily for random drug screens. For 2 1/2 years so far. It is part of life today. God took care of me when I couldn't take care of myself. Other people in recovery took care of me when I couldn't accept that I was an addict. God has put people in my life I never would have given the time of day to. And it has been a wonderful journey. And I love giving back! That, too, is part of my life. Almost daily.
I wouldn't change a thing. I am who I am. And I'm constantly under construction! And that's ok with me. Keeps me "young"!
@jackalopekid says
all of these just made me say "wow"
@dwfaust says
Adam, again you have nailed it. There's always someone better off that us… and always someone somewhere that is in a worse spot than us. But regardless of where we are, we can all learn something from someone else, and we all have something in our lives that will speak, and minister to others. "Life" is a team activity.
@jackalopekid says
another wow. good stuff