I started scouting for articles for this series in March with no idea that just like the Chastity For Men series, God wanted me to start with my own story.
I got articles from two persons and would have run the series if one of the people I asked to write in didn’t hold me up.
Looking back now, I can tie up the delay with God just working in me to the point where He could ask me to share my own story too.
At the beginning of the year when I knew this year would be my year of #WalkingInPurpose, I had no inkling on some of the things God had planned for me to walk in (the books and more , all God blowing my mind!).
This year I have seen God peeling the past off of me, releasing me to walk in the now and the future to come in Him.
This name of this series is actually a step in my second book “10Steps To Walking In Purpose” which will be released in September by God’s grace. (more details will be up soon)
I had already written the step on “Share Your Story, Own Your Brokenness” when I felt pulled by the Spirit that it wasn’t quite complete.
I was still hiding something in my life even though I was encouraging others to share their story in my book.
And so began a series of “argument” with the Spirit on indeed going all out with “Sharing my story”.
And my conversation with God is what I will be sharing as the first post in this series today.
With the hopes that anyone who traces this series from the beginning can see where it all started from.
Anyone who struggles with sharing their story can perhaps draw strength from my own struggle too.
The jotter in which I wrote this conversation is actually still stained with my tears the day I wrote it.
It seemed like God was being wicked and just wanted to spoil my reputation (ask me what reputation biko? *hiss*)
Hopefully, you can pick out my voice from God’s in the convo below…
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06 June 2015
– My story – my story – share your story…
– I don’t know if I can Lord. I can’t work past the **********
How do I share that?
How do I work past that?
Is it possible?
Is it possible?
Of course it is, but I don’t know if I can.
But my story isn’t complete without it, is it?
I don’t know if I can, it’s too shameful.
What will people think?
What will people say?
Will I ever get/find a man who will marry me once I say that out loud?
And I know you mean on the blog – so openly – Lord I don’t think I can.
– But this is the calling Frances, your imperfections. I told you I was going to use it all. I told you I was going to use it all.
Someone needs it Frances.
Someone needs it.
– Lord, this is too deep. Too deep. Too deep.
What you are asking me is too deep.
– But you not being able to speak about it means that you are still tied to it.
Let the scars out – let me heal them. Let me heal them. Let me heal them and let me heal the scars of others too. Let me heal the scars of others too.
Purpose Frances, this is the path.
Your imperfections aren’t meant to be hidden. I brought you out of them remember? Let me bring another out of them through you.
Let me bring another out of them through you.
-But this is too much Lord.
Too much.
I most definitely won’t find a man who’ll marry me after this.
– Good, I will bring him to you. He’ll find you. You aren’t supposed to find him anyway.
– Lord, why are you doing this?
-Frances, you knew it was your purpose. You knew. I will give you the words. You know that isn’t a problem. The book on purpose and the path of purpose I have placed you on is this.
I called you out of your imperfections and intend to use them for me.
This isn’t with how people will view it. This is me telling you to let it all out. You will heal and others will be healed through this.
I need you to share your story Frances (Own your brokenness)
I’m asking you to share your story.
Will you obey me?
Will you obey me?
This is your path of purpose Frances and it isn’t all dandy and good.
Help release people from the weight and burden of condemnation.
I have done it for you, help me do it for other people too.
Frances obey me. Frances obey me. Obey me.
You wanted(knew that this year is a year of purpose didn’t you?
This is it Frances.
We are going all out.
Go back to your notes. I didn’t call you out of your imperfections for yourself.
It’s for others, to draw them out of their own imperfections too.
Would you let me do that?
This is the final one. The final hurdle. The last one to functioning fully in me.
Would you let me do that?
Would you let me use you as I should/purposed to?
Would you let me use you like I’ve purposed to?
Would you let me use you like I’ve purposed to?
Would you let me use you like I’ve purposed to?
– What would dad think?
What would….
– God has a whole different plan for this ebook and I will let Him do what He will.
The pen is in your hand Lord, write with it.
*Share Your Story…
Own Your Brokenness…
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Want to know if I indeed obeyed God and shared what He wanted me to share?
No, it wasn’t the story on my sexual addictions (I obeyed on that months back).
It was a story I wanted to forget and hide – one that had me asking God why He wanted to spoil my life now before I have even gotten married to anyone. (Lol. Our human minds!)
Well, next week we will see if I actually love God like I say I do.
Did I obey Him or not?
Next week.
Till Next Time On Share Your Story Series,
Love,
Frances
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12 Comments
Cassandra Ikegbune
August 10, 2015 at 10:08 amUggghhh! Come on Frances!
Why till next week? Why didn’t you just complete it here? Lol
Don’t mind me, we’ll wait
http://www.cassiedaves.com
Frances Okoro
August 12, 2015 at 9:56 amHah Cassie!
I can imagine God waiting for my answer too…kai! it pays to be obedient oh.
Next week sha, me too wanna know 🙂
Princess Okechukwu
August 10, 2015 at 2:41 pmFrances, His grace is sufficient for you….
Love,
Princess.
Frances Okoro
August 12, 2015 at 10:01 amPrincess…it is! I have experienced this grace in awesome ways, you know! You know sis!
Thank you sooo much!
keke
August 10, 2015 at 10:15 pmthis is way too deep Frances, way deep. This conversation is honest and real, am not sure that I want to read our family blog again. I feel so deeply from this little post, but I am in awe of your obedience because I just feel the spirit telling me, “see your sister, what about you” Will you share, will you let me be in charge.
However, I pray for you Frances. That you do not flake out and not share this story. If his grace can save you, then his grace is equally sufficient for you. Whatever it is will bless and inspire somebody to lean more into the goodness of God. He is a God who heals our wounds and picks us up no matter what we have done or where we have been.
Much love xx
Frances Okoro
August 12, 2015 at 10:03 amKeke…
If He saved me, then He is enough for me.
Not the thoughts of men…Him!
I love you Keke…that’s just the next thing to say. amen and amen to your prayers.
lizzy
August 12, 2015 at 11:05 amWow! This conversation touched my heart. It’s as though I witnessed the conversation btw u two…intimate, honest…a true test of obedience n love…u r about sacrificing ur “isaac” and wat can only come out of this is just going to be unexplainable glorious…God is with u all the way…love u sis
Frances Okoro
August 12, 2015 at 2:48 pmAnd like God did for our father Abraham, he didn’t ask him to lay down Isaac for God’s own good, it wrought deeper trust in God in Abraham…so also will obeying God no matter how hard it may seem to us wrought in us, if only we trust and obey.
Thank you so much Lizzy…
#grace is what I held onto/still hold onto.
Tope
August 15, 2015 at 2:53 pmI just got convicted reading that convo… i can see God having a similar chat with me. But Freedom comes with our obedience and transperency and nothing can keep us captive!
Frances Okoro
August 15, 2015 at 11:02 pmExactly Tope!
His word to me is “He is peeling off the past so I can be released to walk in the now and the future”.
So the past has nothing over us anymore.
#grace is just I (we) need and thank God its always available!
Thank God!
Roxandra
August 29, 2015 at 1:58 pmFrances my sister!!
Do you know I sent you that email on sharing my own story without reading this! I only just read this and it is such a powerful convo between the Father and His beloved. He’ll always take care of you because you always choose total obedience, 1 Cor. 2:9.
Rooting for you!
Frances Okoro
August 30, 2015 at 5:07 pmRoxy!!!
I looove how you share verses that totally hit the nail on the head, the one you shared with me on Jeremiah still stays in my heart anytime I need to speak to the girls.
Thank you sooo much sis..and I miss you oh. Will prolly come chill in Lag after pass out 🙂