Like anything else I’ve ever started let’s just say I’m a little nervous about how this will go. I have high hopes and on the other hand I have fears about what will happen if I slip up. Something that God keeps instilling in me is a vision of myself walking forward, straight path, one foot in front of the other, each day getting closer to my destination. So here I am, taking a step.
First things first, I’ll start by saying that I’m not perfect. In fact, I will proclaim it. I’m going into this authentically and I’m not doing this to paint a happy picture of my life but to be open and honest about what God has done (and is doing) on my journey. I can tell you that I am a blog reader and a book lover, reading is my thing! Without seeming too goodie two-shoes I’ll go ahead and mention that my favorite book is the Bible (I can’t get enough). I truly think that one of the best things about the Word is that it is honest. The Bible is truth.
That being said I feel it is imperative to stick to writing my truth and my hope is that it speaks into your life. I have found that the truth inspires and it motivates. More often than not my posts will be about my learning experiences just because my life is chock-full of them.
Now, I suppose I should tell you a little about myself. I’m a 37 year-old mother of two teenagers, one of which is 19 and the other is about to be 16. I have been married for 17 years and if you do the math you will see there was a oops moment there that I will be opening up about in the near future. My husband Anthony and I met when I was just 16 years-old and we have been together ever since. That totals 21 years of bliss…
…well, not always bliss
but I will be going into that as well.
There is something else you should know, I was saved at the tender age of 16. Do I think that it was a coincidence that I met my husband a few short months later? Not a chance. I believe it was divine appointment. I still get the chills just thinking back and remembering all the ways that God made His self evident in my life. Of course, being the human that I am I muddied the waters with sin and compromise but God took care of that too.
One of my fears about starting this blog/ministry was me thinking that my past was so messy that someone like me couldn’t be used. The bible may be my favorite book but I’m horrible at memorizing scripture. My walk with Christ hasn’t been a pristine one. I didn’t grow up in the church and I’ve wandered back to the world a time or two. To be honest I’m not qualified. But then I came across this scripture…
So there it is. Qualification from God. I’m on assignment from the Almighty and who can argue with that? Certainly not I. I know that I’m not the only one who feels unqualified at times. As a matter of fact, I believe the enemy uses this very tactic to keep us from doing what God has called us to do. With that being said, I’m happy you are here, I’m happy you will take this journey with me, and I’m excited at the prospect of making new like-minded friends.
Amen! We are qualified by God through His Son Jesus to do whatever He calls us to do. He has called the weak, the foolish, the things that are not in this world to shame the things that are, and His grace is sufficient for us. Praise God!
Thank you Kevin! I'm so blessed that you stopped by. Good to meet you brother-in-Christ 🙂
This is very encouraging! Qualified by God! You are an inspiration Natalie.
Hi, Natalie! I'm go glad I found you after you found me…or was it the other way around? Not sure, but it doesn't matter, because I love your blog and look forward to following you from now on. It's always a joy to meet a fellow sister in Christ who's also a mom of teens! Double score! 🙂 Blessings on this new adventure…en route to the promised land! xoxo
The pleasure is truly all mine sister 🙂 I look forward to all that the Lord is going to show us along the way. Many blessings!!
Hi Natalie. Thanks for visiting my blog- it's lovely to "meet" you today. I love the verse you highlight from Corinthians- none of us are qualified by ourselves. And I love how all through the Bible God uses broken imperfect people- it gives me hope!
Hello Carly 🙂 I'm so grateful you stopped by! I just love that God uses the "unqualified". Without that fact there would be no hope for me! I can't wait to read more from you.
Ah! You are such an inspiration! I am about to launch a blog too about faith & redemption in Christ! I'm excited to follow your journey!
Sarah, that is terrific news! I can't wait to read it! Please make sure you email or comment me the link when you are up and running! Many blessings to you!
I love your story, and I look forward to reading all of your future posts!
Thank you Ana!
You’re such a sweetheart. We’re here with locked arms ready to walk in this calling together : )
Jesus! I love how raw you are. I am so amazed at how we are similar with our stories. Looking forward to reading your beautiful blog, and connecting with you!
Thank you sweet Lenae! I can’t wait to stop by your blog, kick my feet up, and dive into everything you’ve posted.
I am so excited to follow you. I. Found you thru Salt &Glow IG. Your words speak life and openess.. thank you for being HIS feet!
Thank you sweet Valerie! You are so kind : ) Many blessings to you!
Natalie, Natalie, (sigh)… what can say? I’m glad I found your blog. As I read your blog the line from an old song comes to mind, “when the Jesus in me, sees the Jesus in you, we’ll have a hallelujah time! I love it when Christians are open and honest, so many times some of us give the impression that we never slip up or go astray. As far as the bible is concerned, for me it’s the other way around. I can remember the scriptures but not where it’s found. Sometimes I feel so bad but am trying to do better.
Have a blessed day.
Oh Marie,
I feel as if I have no other option except to be open and honest about my walk. If was hiding anything it would be evident and He knows the truth about us anyway. The truth is that I’m a broken, busy, overthinking woman lol. The beautiful part about that is that I can still be used by God to further His kingdom. I’m so glad I’m chosen and I pray that I always represent Him in the best way.
Hi Natalie! Thank you for sharing your story. It’s a truly beautiful testimony of God’s grace at work! So excited to have found your blog & to follow along.
I’m happy to have found you too Nicole! Yay for new bloggers writing for the Lord!! There simply aren’t enough of us.
I loved reading this post! I just started reading your blog this year and as I new blogger, I am so inspired by your heart! It was fun reading this and seeing how your blogging ministry got started!
Thank you so much Emily! It’s fun to reflect and to see how far God has brought me in a year. I appreciate you taking the time to read : )
In so many ways I could be reading my own story here. One of my first posts, to begin telling my own story, is a post entitled – Let me be the first to tell you – I’m not perfect. Your ministry, in blogging, is such an encouragement for me to keep going forward with my own.
Ah Amen sister! I love when God orchestrates two sisters with similar hearts to meet. Don’t be a stranger!
Just came across your blog. I have been starting a blog for 5 years now. With life, getting in the way & my own fears. Everytime I start, I would stop. Felt like I was being pulled in a different direction not wanting to listen. Wanting to blog about what the “in” new popular things were and failing at it every time. I have decided this time to just listen and let God take control and use me through my life story and passions for my blog. I am very excited to read your blog 🙂 ps love your name 😉
It’s so very lovely to meet you Natalie and may I encourage you to keep going and step out in faith. Those fears will never subside until you take the necessary steps. God is so much more powerful than we can even conceive of and He is willing and able to help you on this journey. Be blessed sister and I hope to see more of you!
I thank you for sharing your life, your thoughts and God’s love. And the way he wants us to be. I am very glad that I came across your website and hope to grow with you on our journey that God wants us to be on. Your perception about the bible helps me to understand more everytime I read scripture and hoping to apply to it my life.
Just wanted to say Thanks as a Sister in Christ.
I’m so blessed that you stopped in Lesley and that you received from what you read here. Thank God for His Holy Spirit and perfect timing! Be blessed my sister in Christ!
Bless your heart
Thank you so much and God bless you Nat!
It’s my pleasure to share with you : )
In 2022, who is reading your posts with such zeal? I do! Natalie, you are without a doubt my favorite blogger of all time! I love every single one of your posts, and I feel as if the Holy Spirit is speaking directly to me through you in each one. I admire your openness and straightforwardness! You’re like “the friend I never had.” At first, God led me to start a ministry of sharing the gospel through modest clothing designs, but while I was looking for the right clothing manufacturer, He also led me to start blogging, and it sometimes feels like I’m alone in the desert. Your encouragement, regardless of where we are in life, means a lot to me! Thank you for being open and honest with us so that we can “all grow together.” 🙂
You have encouraged me greatly today! I love your blog as well and count myself blessed that you have found me because now I have found YOU! God bless you!