Wednesday: Honesty Time + Engagement Thread Post

Happy Wednesday, Ladies! I know there's been 2-3 ladies here who have dealt with some trolls, negativity or simply people being mean based on their posts, and after 10 days of prayer, deep thought and reflection, I made a post to stand up for myself for something that came as a shock and also a deep hurt.

This will be today's engagement thread post, but I'll also share the story vulnerably here to show you that others' not genuinely knowing us or taking "judgement" from our posts is a reality we all can face. I deal with it at least weekly, but the good always far outweighs the bad.

The Saturday after we returned late Friday night from Mexico, we had a family meeting scheduled Saturday morning for something I was so excited about for our family. Something we had researched, prayed about, been reading books about and truly felt was a calling from the Lord. Well, remember my mouth and face swelled up so bad and hurt so much, I couldn't attend. Looking back, it was a blessing.

The 45 minute family interview (with only Grant + Croix) ended up being 30+ minutes about my social media. How me exposing my body is seeking attention/sexualizing myself to monetize, and talking about money is chasing success of the world vs. God. Had I been there, I would have been crushed, completely taken off-guard and not prepared to respond to the best of my ability (due to hurt and shocked emotions).

I was supposed to be able to meet with them that next week, which we reached out multiple times, never with the option for me to come speak and explain the actuality of my social media and how it's actually both a way I help provide for our family and live out my purpose. But on Monday morning, we got denied without them ever even speaking to me. I kindly responded accepting the deny, but still asked to be able to come in and speak, since all families get the chance to ALL speak/interview. I was told no, wait until next year and try again.

I don't know about any of you, but sometimes God has to completely slam a door for me to absolutely know the timing isn't right and it's not something HE has in store for our family right now. The thought that my social media perception alone hurt my entire family and that I was never even given the chance to talk face-to-face does hurt, but I know sometimes when the journey seems harder, more unfair, or like a complete shut off, it can truly be God showing us - NO! OR NO RIGHT NOW!

So I made a public post last night (not in rebuttal, but just for my own piece of mind) as well as what others can continue to expect from my content), if you missed it, here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6aKoEiMB-8/?igsh=ZDB4ZjJzNTRybnp2

The positive ALWAYS outweighs the negative. I don't hold any ill-will to those who judged and never even gave me the option to come talk, rather I'm glad it was me vs someone else. I know who I am in Christ and the goodness (like this group and so much more) that does come from my media. I'm glad this wasn't done to someone who maybe would have thought they did "wrong" and maybe even decided to QUIT because of it.

Anyways, I know it's a long post, but I just want to be honest and share my own struggles I receive (as well as my family, too) from my social media. Thank you ladies for allowing this to be a safe space where we can share the highs AND THE LOWS. It's very important!

This is today, Wednesday May 1, Engagement Thread post. Share your newest post in the comments below and be sure to give public engagement love to the others, as well as honest feedback about each other's posts!

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