My word for the year 2014 is “AUTHENTICITY”. The word came to me a couple of months ago and I said out loud, “What? How can I be more authentic?” You see, I stand up in front of people every week and tell my story, and much of it isn’t very pretty. Mr. OTN and I are Directors of a 9 month long class called Freedom Session. Part of the teaching that we do is authentically sharing our own messy stories so that others can find hope and freedom.
“What can I do to be more authentic?,” I ask myself.
“You can take a risk. You can tell those who have never heard your story what is really behind that smiling face and the funny things you do to make others laugh. Maybe they will relate to you more . . . or maybe they will decide they don’t like you at all. “
That is the risk of authenticity.
As part of my new blog design I’ve added an About Page with a short video of Mr. OTN and myself sharing a very small part of Our Story. I’ve added Our Story because it is what motivates so much of what we do in life. Our pain, turned to victory and joy is what drives us to share with others that there is HOPE. As our participants come along on the Freedom Session journey with us we even offer to let them borrow our hope for awhile until they can find their own.
Are you curious now? Click HERE for more, but don’t forget to come back when you’re done!
So that’s it. Our Story on video may seem to be more about my husband’s journey, with me tagging along, than my own personal story. But believe me when I say that my journey also has its ups and downs. I’ve lived so much of my life trying to live up to some ideal that wasn’t possible to achieve. My life is NOT perfect. I am NOT perfect. Thank God I no longer have to strive for perfection to prove my worth . . . for it is by grace that I have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ.
Thank you for watching My Story. I hope it will help you see why I have such a love for making OldThingsNew, whether that be transforming old items from broken to beautiful or helping people on the journey toward freedom where they can live life to the fullest.
Blessings to you,
FrugalCraftyHome, Dwellings
VMG206, BeBetsy,TuesdaysAtOurHome,
Patti! What a beautiful testimony. How precious to be free in the Lord and see what he does in our lives. Thank God for Grace, such Love He has for us. Now I understand even more the beautiful name you’ve called your blog. Thank you so much for sharing. Gives me hope. God bless you and your family. hugs, Maria xo
To my beautiful and amazing sister with much love.
I’m so very proud of you for opening your heart and life so that others can grow and see the grace of the Lord, which is demonstrated your lives. You are both an inspiration to us. We can relate because as you well know, we too havel fallen. But praise the Lord for His marvelous love amd grace. He loves us too much to let us go. I’ve been reading about Paul and what an example for us he was. Yet, he too remained humble and gave all glory to Christ.
May Christ richly bless you both with continued love for each other and the Lord.
Love from your favorite sister, Sharon.
You are indeed my favorite sister! Thank you for seeing me through the eyes of Christ. I may not be perfect but I am clothed in robes of righteousness! Much love and many blessings back to you dear Sharon 🙂
Patti,
Thank you for sharing your “authentic” testimony. I especially love the reference to Genesis 50:20 where God meant good out of the bad that has happened in your lives.
Blessings to you and Kelly for courageously participating in His story!!
Oh dear Kristen – You and Mark are such a huge part of our healing journey. We are so thankful for you. Much love to you both 🙂
I love your blog but I just wanted to tell you that the print on your page is not black and it is so dim that I can’t
hardly read it at all. Hope you can fix it as your blog is great and encouraging.
Goldie
Thanks for the feedback Goldie. It looks okay on my monitor but I know they are all different. I’ve gone in and changed the color to a darker gray. I hope that makes it easier for you to read. Blessings to you 🙂
Hi 🙂 Lovely new look! My only comment is that the type is so light, I find it a challenge to read! I appreciate all the good work you and your husband are doing! Love.
I’ve gone in and darkened the text a bit Nancy and I hope that will be better for you. Thanks for your sweet comments and letting me know there was a problem. Hugs!
What a beautiful story of God’s grace and mercy! Praise His Holy Name! Thank you for sharing! Life to the full! Melissa
Wonderful! Such a blessing to watch your video. You are a true testimony of how God transforms lives, and relationships. So often, couples think that because times get tough…that must mean that God didn’t bring them together and they quit. God never promised life, marriage, raising children, etc. was going to be easy…it will be HARD…but He is faithful to always work it for good when WE WILL LET HIM!
Thank you for sharing at Amaze Me Monday…
Blessings,
Cindy