Everyone has their own story.

Everyone goes through different experiences.

But it's from these experiences that we grow, and sharing them can not only help but motivate others that they too can get through it. Whether good, bad, ugly, these experiences happen to many. The fact is no one speaks about them. Even though we may not know everyone's story, there is one person who knows all. One person that took the time to write every single one of them. Forming us in our mother's womb and creating the paths of our lives. Knowing our past, present, and future before we even get a glimpse of it. And it's not until you take a moment to reflex back that you realize how far you've come. It's not always about the distance you've made but how you've handled everything "life" has thrown your way.

Here's a story about a girl that I've come to know very well these past years ... Picture this: a pretty short, skinny, pale-skinned girl with curly hair, an obnoxious laugh, and distinctive personality, but every once in a while you'll notice her quite reserved. It's in those moments that she drifts off gets lost in her mind, and the mind can be your worst enemy. For her it was easier to put a smile (that's what you learn to do in this world) "just put a smile on your face and act like you're okay." And at the time she didn't know that her life wasn't okay. Most people can think back to their childhood and smile at all the lovely memories. The "good" times, laughs, joy, happy tears,and more. Her memories were a little different. Not that there wasn't good memories what she remembers is: Mom and dad always fighting, arguing, yelling, tears, things being thrown. All happening while she was in another room. Being at home one day with her sisters while a so called "family friend" at the moment decides to visit, but this wasn't just any normal visit. Without knowing they were home he decides to let himself in. And no he did not have a key to the house .. he breaks in. Not only that he also decides to take all the jewelry, watches, anything he could get his hands on while the three girls are in the bathroom hiding not knowing what to do but be filled with fear. Her parents getting a divorce when she was about 10, some people would say that made things better. But as they say it must gets worse before it gets better and that is exactly what happened. Momma trying to do her best to support her three daughters and herself while dad only came around every two weeks or so and thought buying their love was enough until the next two weeks came around. Then middle school came, and that's around the time she began to think of herself as "grown". As if she knew what was best for herself at the age of 13, and boy was she wrong. And that right there was the problem BOYS . Without even realizing she was trying to fill that void in her heart that was meant for her dad with the "love" of a boy. And it obviously never worked. Leading into high school depression kicked into full speed. She'd come home to her mother and tell her "I hate school" almost every single day of freshman year.

Her story takes an unexpected shift .. somehow someway a spot at another school opens up and she transfers at the end of the freshman year being the "new girl". At such a diverse school she realized everyone was different but for once in a good way. Finally making real friends throughout her high school years and the main friend she's thankful for meeting is Jesus Christ. Because through him she's developed a relationship with her heavenly Father. And since the moment she has accepted him into her life, it hasn't been the same. She's not fighting these battles by herself anymore. She has someone much more powerful than anything of this world by her side. You're probably wondering how I know so much about this girl, this girl is me. This is Nashalie's Story.

I no longer live for this world, I live for God. I am not perfect, but everyday I try to be a little more like my heavenly Father. It's not cupcakes and butterflies. It's constant battles, that help me grow. And as I grow I see such an importance in making sure while I'm on this earth my purpose is fulfilled. This life is no joke, and I am grateful for everyday that my God wakes me up once again because I know I'm still meant to be here and there's still more for me to do

My God is a creator. I am living proof of that. My God is a provider. He has taken my family from the "bottom" and has given us everything we can ever need. My God is a healer. I no longer suffer from depression. Depression will not longer rule my life. My God is a protector. He has never let anyone harm my family or myself. My God restores. Would you believe me if I said I have an actually real relationship with my father? And now when I think back on my childhood I see that I was so focused on the negatives that I couldn't see God leading the way from the very beginning. It's not about questioning why we go through the things that we do. As my youth pastor said, "Your wounds are not for you, they're for someone else." You are meant to go through it so that you can save someone else from that pain and teach others what you've learned along the way. It's not easy but it's necessary.

I share this with you today because just like everyone's story is different. So is every Christian person's story as well. Not everyone is born in church, or has had an encounter with God at a young age. But what I've come to realize that living in this world without God is impossible. It doesn't mean that your life will be perfect. I still go through battles and experiences myself. But having my faith rooted on my Lord and Savior, I know that there is nothing that can come my way that I can't handle. Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

Your story is not over, it may not be like mine but it's yours for a reason. Embrace the obstacles you go through. Enough with hiding your emotions behind a smile. It is okay to not be okay. We're not always going to be a 100%. You may not know what the solutions are to your problems. But I'm here to tell you God is the solution. And He is there to pick you up and handle the rest. "Let Go & Let God". This world is awful but having God is your life makes living in this world just a little more bearable. And when you can finally talk about it and tell your story you'll know you go through it too. Share it, it can be a blessing to someone else's life.

What is your story?

What were you put on this earth to do? Are you doing it? What are you waiting for?