BeYOUtiful

Growing up I always felt like I was the "weird one". I had a very unique family situation. My brother had severe special needs and epilepsy. I always wished that I had a "normal" life. One without meltdowns, ambulances in our home, and many other difficulties that come with having a brother with special needs. One night, many years ago, I heard God tell me that he would use my story to help other families. I thought "ok, God, sure". I felt like my situation was far too complicated to ever help another family. However, it turned out that God knew exactly what he was talking about. Surprise, surprise! I would later go on to be a special education teacher and help families just like mine.

Jeremiah 1:5 says "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

The pastor at our church, Pastor Lawrence Neisent, once said "There was something God needed done, so He created you". That "something" is only something that YOU can do. What is your something? What does God need you to do? How can he use your story, your pain to help others?

Those things that you thought made you weird or quirky are exactly the things that God wants to use to reach others. So often our culture puts pressure on people to be a certain way, to just fit in...but I am challenging you to Stand Out!

If you are still wondering what your purpose is I challenge you to think about what breaks your heart? If it breaks your heart it probably breaks the Father's heart, too. I want to encourage you to be YOU. Rise up and be who God called YOU to be!