Challenges and Lessons Learned

Day 14 &15 – #Bloganuary2022

‘Still I Rise – Above it All”

‘It is in the crucible of affliction that the flawed me begins to be refined. To look more like the ONE who loved me enough to lead me into the fire. He knew I would stay committed to the process'[4.4.21].

I penned these words in 2021 as I reflected on the ‘me’ that began to emerge after some challenging spells. Lesson learned? Hard times were never meant to destroy us. Borrowing from a comment one of my readers made – ” All our experiences…bad and good contributed to the formation of the SELF that we are today. They exposed our capacity to feel, act and express. Sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing – but always giving us the opportunity to change and to grow”.

In my book ‘Girl Like Me’, I chronicled my journey walking through failure as a ‘church girl’. I experienced shame, disappointment, pain, redemption, and love at its deepest depth.

God met me in a doctor’s office as I sat contemplating aborting my baby. He asked me one question, ” Have I ever let you down?” His voice was as clear as the one you hear in the stillness of the night. That question rescued me and my baby in the womb. Some of you reading this may wonder – “Does God really talk to people today?” Yes, He does!!! That’s why I am here today with a restored heart.

On page 63 of ‘Girl Like Me’, I shared a poem I wrote – dedicated to all my sister girls who have gone through, are going through, or afraid of going through. I stand with you.

Here’s the edited version:

Sister Girl

#Bloganuary2022

Marcia Y.