Share your story

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One year ago today, I published my first blog. My son was newly diagnosed with a terminal genetic disorder (PBD) and I was devastated. A wise friend encouraged me to blog; she said it would be therapeutic for me and it would put me in touch with others who were experiencing similar circumstances. 

I had never been a blog reader, so I didn’t know the first thing about the process. After watching some how-to YouTube videos, I took the plunge. 

I was astonished after publishing my first post. I didn’t realize the effect that our story would have on so many people. Social media was good to me and my post got shared so much that within 48 hours I was contacted by Shannon Butalla, the president of the Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders. Her son also has PBD, and his therapist shared my story with her via Facebook. God heard my cry for clarity. I learned more about my son from her in 60 minutes than I had learned from all the specialists we visited over a 6 month period. Not only that, but the out pour of love I received ever since that first post has been nothing short of incredible.

My friend was right, the encouragement came from all over the world. I felt loved and supported in our crappy situation. But what I didn’t expect was that over time, my family’s journey would in turn, help others… And not just our circumstances alone, but the way we chose to respond to those circumstances.

Looking back over the past year of blogging, I can tell you with confidence that it is important to share your story. And truthfully, it doesn’t really matter how you do it- blog, social media, face to face, etc. I think we often times buy into the lie that our story isn’t a good one, or that it doesn’t matter… But the truth is, it is good and it does matter! And if we are willing, there is always an opportunity for us to be transparent.

I do not know the particulars of your circumstances, but I do know this- SOMEONE is going through a similar situation as you. SOMEONE will benefit from your transparency. SOMEONE desperately needs to know they are not the only one struggling with _____________.  And chances are, you are the person who can encourage them the most, because you’ve been where they are now.

I’ve been so blessed by sharing my son’s journey. I talk about Gideon with anyone who is willing to listen. I began doing it because I wanted his life to matter to others. My original thought was, If he won’t ever get the chance to tell this world who he is, then I will!! That’s why I started to share our journey. But through this process, God has taken it far beyond my selfish and small intentions.

Sharing my son’s story has allowed me to point others to His Son’s story.

And He can do that with your story.

You just have to be willing to share it.

 

 

 

6 thoughts on “Share your story

  1. Sam,
    What an encouraging testimony and witness you have been to others in sharing your life with true authenticity and transparency! While I often consider, given the opportunity, we would not “pick” our circumstance or to endure the “sifting” we are experiencing…… We, as believers in Jesus Christ, can be confident that He will provide our every need and grow our faith walk! Your story is a sermon that can be preached w/o a pulpit or a congregation and change the lives of many daily! Thank you for sharing your family, faith and heart, out of obedience, to the glory of God!

    1. Confident in Him to meet our needs- Wise words from a wise woman!! You know this truth well. I just love you Kim!! Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement!

  2. Absolutely! Though I rarely blog now, I did regularly the first couple of years after Levi died. It was originally my outlet and extremely therapeutic to find people who had lived through the death of a baby and survived to the other side. Then people started to seek me out for the same reason. Now I love to talk about Levi and how God has carried us through that horrible season to the other side.

    1. Amy, I just love the mess out of you! You have an amazing story and ministry. You are part of an elite “club” that no one willing joins. But for those of us awaiting our membership, we are so glad to know that there are women like you waiting for us there. 🙂 Love you friend!

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