Finally Mary shares from “Take Me As I Am” the importance of sharing your story

“You know I’ve been holdin’ on. Try to make me weak, But I still stay strong. Put my life all up in these songs Jus so you can feel me.”

Your story is meant to be shared. Now I am not saying tell it all. I am saying that you need to ask God to show what to share, when and to whom. Be transparent, honest, and open about you.

I spoke to a group of young people about 6 months ago. My topic was your gifts and your purpose. In sharing about gifts and purpose I was led to share my testimony about being sexually abused as a child. Now I had no idea where the Holy Spirit was going with it but I obeyed.

A few days later, I received an email from the coordinator’s mother telling me that my testimony kept a girl from taking her life that very night. She told a story of her best friend’s brother and friend raping her night after night.

Now I know that the friend the young was talking about was herself and that she was the victim of such a horrid act. I also know that if I would have kept quiet that night I may have been responsible for a young girl’s untimely death.

Sharing your story is also a path to healing for you. It is a good source of therapy. So listen to the holy Spirit when he directs you to share. Even if you are shaking in your boots share that story.

Now these insights are just a few that I think will help you to lead a more authentic life. I used Mary J. Blige’s music because in my opinion secular  music is not bad. It is the message behind it that is bad. While some music is therapeutic and cleansing, it is all very purposeful in reaching it’s target. And with her authentic lifestyle showing through the words of the song, the Spirit led me right to Mary.

Before I close I want to share a few lines from one more Mary Song, Reflections (I Remember) and in some spots you will see where I added my name in; because this song is my story too. It will help you see why I am in my authentic mode:

“I remember back when I didn’t know which way to live. I remember Back when PAIN was All LaTara had To give. Through the reflections of my life I see the Lessons that I’ve learned; And now I know Heartbreak don’t exist When it’s been Torn apart By love

I use to throw a fit I use to shed a doubt and blame it on a man. But that was LaTara then and this is LaTara now. You gotta understand it’s about how we respect ourselves and the men have no control of our self-esteem and when we see that then we can let go

Now I made some mistakes I lost some friends along the way, But I don’t carry it ’cause it made me a better chick. Its my life and I know that there’s more for me to see. I may not be what I’m suppose to But I can tell you right now I ain’t what I use to be.”