Own Your Story

"Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we will ever do." (Brene Brown, "The Gifts of Imperfection")

The first time I read that quote, I had to go back and reread it a few times. It's straightforward on the surface, but as I continued to read and reread it, I realized the depth of it.

When we own our stories, it means we take the whole of it and acknowledge it as ours. Rather than hiding from it, we take it for what it is. A bit later in the introduction to the same book, Brene Brown writes this,

"Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running form it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy - the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light." ("The Gifts of Imperfection")

We own our stories, when we allow God into every area of our lives. When we go to those places we would rather not go and allow Him to speak the truth into them. It is when we allow God into those areas of our lives, that we are able to own our stories - the story that God has played a part in and wants to continue to be a part of.

We have to allow God into those dark and vulnerable places in our lives. We have to take the risk to do that. And when we do, God's light shines from our lives in a way that others notice.

It takes courage to own your story, but it's worth it.

How are you doing at owning your story?