Celebrating 100 Subscribers & New Dreams
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100 Subscribers!
It's hard for me to wrap my mind around 100 people wanting to follow a blog written by me. The only way this makes sense is because of Jesus. I'm humbled and grateful to know that so many of you care and that He is in the business of using broken things, and people, for good. So happy one year to Bring Your Brokenness!What began with a blog to document past journals of my time in residential treatment for anorexia moved towards a journal of sorts for current day struggles and recovery wins. I've also added articles pertaining to eating disorder awareness and helps as well as blog posts about other mental health issues.The Lord has allowed me to speak to a couple of different groups of women and attend a phenomenal conference for Christian writers and speakers. I've begun writing a memoir entitled Woman with an Issue.This past spring, Bring Your Brokenness launched two eating disorder recovery groups. One meets locally in Jacksonville, and the other group meets online via video platform. Currently, 26 are enrolled.Numerous members and nonmembers reach out for support during the week, and I connect as often as I'm able. That support takes on different forms, depending on the need.I'm so thankful for the prompting God placed in my heart to click "Publish" last September! And I'm beyond grateful for family and friends He used to encourage me towards that end. It really does blow my mind to look at what He's over the last year!
New (and Big) Dreams
A few months ago, the Lord sent an acquaintance from years ago back into my life for the purpose of helping me grow the ministry of Bring Your Brokenness. While some of her ideas are still in the works, I want to tell you something she inspired me to share as we talked over Cokes one afternoon. She asked me to tell her my dream. So I dove into all things Bring Your Brokenness - writing, speaking, singing, recovery groups. She smiled and listened but kept nodding her head and raising her eyebrows as if she were waiting for more. Finally, she said, "But what's your DREAM. What's that thing you'd love to do that's bigger than all of this?"I half-laughed at her. I'm a realist. I had a huge dream, but I'd only ever shared it with two other people because it's so impossible. But she kept pushing, so I quietly shared it with her.When I was in my final weeks at residential treatment, the Lord lit a flame of desire in my heart to open a residential treatment facility on Amelia Island for women struggling with eating disorders. God used such a facility at a very critical point in my life to halt behaviors and save my life. I long to be part of the same work in the lives of others who are seriously ill as a result of malnutrition and other extreme eating disorder behaviors. Amelia Island is the perfect location for such a place.My friend just looked at me and asked why that was so impossible. I proceeded to tell her about the logistics and legalities and insurmountable expenses and on and on.... She proceeded to remind me that none of those things mean anything to God. And if He planted the dream, He will provide the resources and satisfy all of those things I call "impossibilities."She told me I have to share this. That there are people out there who ARE some of those resources God will use, and they need to hear the dream. And since then, I've not been able to stop thinking about it. Because she's right. Nothing is hard for God.So I'm walking down this road with great enthusiasm. The Lord has allowed me to tour other residential facilities, meet with experts, and He has shown me some really cool ways that my previous ministry work has prepared me specifically for this. There are lots of ways for many to be involved, and it's so exciting!What thrills me most about this is the opportunity to share Jesus with these women in their time of greatest need. To love them with the love of Jesus and help them hold onto the hope that is theirs through Jesus Christ. The hope that is going to save their lives. Oh my goodness, it's amazing to think about!I have so much MORE to tell you! But I'm going to save it for a FB video...coming soon!
Growing Pains
I hate to even think about casting a shadow over any of it. And I won't! The truth is that it's all wonderful, and it's more fulfilling to be a part of than any other work I've had. It's also true that with any kind of growth, it's necessary to step back and reassess from time to time. And as I'm sure everyone reading can relate, time is a major issue. The more we experience growth, the more we are challenged with time.I can tell you with all honesty that I am involved in BYB-related activity at least as many hours as I was when I worked full time for the church. I absolutely love it, so please don't misunderstand. The challenge is that it doesn't return income; it actually incurs expenses. And I would gladly give for any of these expenses and beyond, but currently, there are no means from which to give.
Reassessing
Reassessing has brought some things into focus for me. I've asked God questions, asked myself questions, dreamed with my husband and friends, and begged God for wisdom. Here's what we've determined.
God has placed a passion in my heart for walking with others through brokenness.
The people He most often places in my path are those who are struggling with eating disorders.
As I seek to become more like Jesus, there are plenty of things to do. And as He continues to send people in need of help, the hours in the day grow shorter and shorter as I try to support them in as many ways as possible.
My family's financial need for me to work full time has not changed. Even though we've cut out most extra activities, the need remains.
As I attempt to offset the loss of my salary from losing my full time job last year via contract and part time work, there is not enough time to do the ministry work that's so dear to my heart while still balancing family, home, and church ministry.
I'm so excited about the future of Bring Your Brokenness and thank God continuously for choosing to allow me to be a part of it. I've committed my life to ministry and walking with women in their brokenness, and nothing outside of Jesus' intervention can change that.
Wisdom
One of God's great gifts in creating us to be relational people is the wisdom we are given through such connections. In recent weeks, it has been recommended to me over and over again that I need to work towards incorporating Bring Your Brokenness and filing for nonprofit status. This will help meet some of the immediate needs. And it will also allow for future ministry expansion in a number of ways including facilities, resources, staff, giving, outreach, and much more. It's so exciting to think about!We cannot move forward until we're able to cover expenses associated with filing for incorporation and nonprofit status. And we need help. While giving to Bring Your Brokenness is not currently tax deductible, all donations given within the year prior to being approved as a nonprofit are considered tax deductible. Giving will help expand the growth of BYB and therefore impact the lives of more women who need help through the following projects:
Our #1 need: Filing for Incorporation and 501(c): $500-$1000
Domain, host, and website expenses: $200 (past due)
Certification, license, and conference expenses
IT needs and services
Bring Your Brokenness, Incorporated, Corporation, Nonprofit status, nonprofit, increased levels of support, expanding the ministry, giving, financial giving, opening residential treatment facility
If you're able, please prayerfully consider joining us in impacting hearts and lives by giving financially and/or by sharing the ministry of Bring Your Brokenness with others. Remember that there's absolutely no pressure. I know God will provide however He sees fit. I'm just sharing the need and trusting Him to meet it.Here's the link to give (once nonprofit is established, we will use another giving platform).
September 2019
Over the next year, I've defined five major ministry goals.
Establish the Board of Directors for BYB
Incorporate BYB and file for nonprofit status
Complete my biblical counseling certification
Continue and improve outreach, recovery groups, etc.
Begin fundraising, campaigning, grant writing, and networking with stakeholders in order to continue current outreach, obtain license, and purchase residential facility property
I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for believing from the very beginning in what God can do in and through me. I'm so thankful you are a part of His work! I'd love to know that you will pray with me towards these ministry goals over the next year.I look forward to sharing more with you. Stay tuned!