So many self-help books, coaches, and motivational speakers tell you to “find your why”. Find what motivates you and use that as your fuel to go out and achieve your dreams. Many of us will take that and say… family, kids, husbands, etc. Done, check-and-check, on to the next brain-busting question please (yes, that is a Billy Madison reference)…

I’ve had the chance to sit with that question for a while now and I know my why…

First, don’t get it twisted - I love my family immensely and would do almost anything in the world for them, but when Jesus appointed his disciples, they left everything, even their families, to follow him. I CAN NOT IMAGINE, but I do know what it feels like to have this gnawing in the pit of your stomach that you were made for more. This feeling that there is a bigger purpose that you were supposed to fulfill, but you have no clue on the details. “God, I love you and am waiting patiently over here, but could you please email me a spreadsheet?!?”

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a bit of a rebel. Around the age of ten, I wanted my ears pierced. I am an all-or-nothing kinda gal, so when I say I wanted my ears pierced, what I really mean was that I fiercely needed, at all costs, to get my ears pierced immediately or I might succumb to my death (or do it myself). My grandpa, who was a preacher, and my dad were against piercings, so I was immediately hit with a stern “NO”. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was a battle I would not win for three long years.

After those three long years on the campaign trail, and some help from my mom, I finally got my ears pierced on my thirteenth birthday.

I drank the proverbial “piercing” kool aid that day and the itch for a second piercing came shortly after the first. This time, I skipped the campaigning, grabbed an ice cube, needle, and potato… and after a few painful hours, I had very lopsided second holes that I was so proud of and still rock today!

I remember when I was told no - It was typically, “No because the bible says it’s wrong. And if the bible says it’s wrong and you do it anyway, that is a sin, and if you sin, well… you know where you go!!!” Period. Two snaps and a hair flip.

Do you know how long it took me to realize that I wasn’t going to hell for my ear piercing transgressions?!?

I just couldn’t understand why this BIG, GREAT, POWERFUL GOD who created the Heavens and the Earth and Adam and Eve and wrote the Best-Selling book on Love, Forgiveness, Compassion, etc. would care if I pierced my ears?

It blew my mind that He would banish me to hell for eternity.

I couldn’t accept it at thirteen, and I damn-sure do not accept it now.

After experiencing trauma as a child, young-girl, and adult, I now know, for a fact, that Jesus loves my ear piercings. He loves my tattoos. He loves my rebelious ways. He loves all of me… because he created me. And he didn’t just create me, but he created me in His image.

He created YOU in His image too!

Which brings me back to my “why”. Drumroll, please…

MY “WHY” IS YOU!!!

I believe that YOU are WORTHY of putting your FAITH in a HIGHER POWER Who has your back no matter what.

YOU are WORTHY of a HAND-UP.

YOU are WORTHY of LOVE.

YOU DESERVE to BE HAPPY and FREE.

YOU are worthy of SECOND CHANCES!

I share my stories, experiences and feelings because I hope you can see yourself somewhere in between the lines. I hope you can see that if Jesus can stay by my side through it all, he can do the same for you.

So, buckle up and keep reading. It’s a bit of a bumpy ride, but SO, SO worth it!

Blessings upon Blessings,

Mandy