You Can Do Hard Things

Recently that quote has been replaying in my mind over and over again.  I can do hard things, I can do hard things, I can do hard things.

Frustration builds up, stress is present, anxiety is off the charts, and suddenly I feel incapable of facing my problems.  And then I look at myself in the mirror and think; YOU CAN DO THIS.  What that really means is; GOD YOU HAVE DONE THIS.

You see, I at one point in my life slept in the streets dragging a trash bag around with me.  My entire life was in that one bag.  I’ve begged for change so that I could have something to eat.  I’ve dumpster dived when I was desperate to nourish my body.  I was trafficked.  I was a drug addict.  And you know what I was after all of those things?  A FREAKING WARRIOR.

Almost 15 years later I am married to the most handsome Godly man, I am a mother to the most precious boys, I will soon be celebrating 15 years of sobriety, I own a women’s boutique in town, and most importantly I advocate for women to know their worth.  I advocate for women to know that there is hope.  I fight for women to know that their future could have so much potential if they just give themselves the chance to live.

Let’s be clear on one thing, this is not for me to boast.  I want to boast about what God can do.  I want to boast about what God has done.  Life has not been served on a silver platter for me.  I have fought to be who I am today; God has fought with ME to show me who I am.

It’s easy to get lost in who you were.  It’s easy to get lost in what you have done.  But, your past does not define you.  Your past does not own you.  Your past is not you.  Your past has only helped you become who you are today.

And so when I feel like I just can’t, God reminds me of all of the time I did.  We seem to forget everything we have found victory in when we are walking through darkness.  I want to remind you that you are a warrior.  When darkness seems to swallow everything that gives you light; REMEMBER WHAT HE HAS BROUGHT YOU THROUGH.

So today, write your past a letter and let it go (you’re such a mom if you just sang that).  But seriously, stop letting your past control your present.  FORGIVE YOURSELF.  It is not your fault.  You are so loved.  You are so worthy.  You are enough.  And I want you to have the whole wide world in your hands.

You’re still standing babe.  You’re still here.  And that’s because your story is not over, what will you write with that?