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The Lipstick Gospel

The Power Of Our Stories

I'm Stephanie May Wilson!

I'm an author and podcaster and my specialty is helping women navigate big decisions, life transitions — creating lives they love.

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Hi friends,


I wanted to take a second to thank you for being a part of The Lipstick Gospel. Writing is one of my greatest joys and it's even lovelier because I get to share it with you. I believe so fully in the power of our stories. I believe that they have the power to change the world in a way that nothing else does. I spent the weekend surrounded by stories and overwhelmed with gratitude for this space and for you, my lovely readers. It is my honor and privilege to  share my story with you and to be a part of your stories as well.


Thank you so much for going on this journey with me.


All my love,


Stephanie


***


Our lives are a tapestry of experiences. Some are good, some are bad, and as we navigate the confusing waters between, it’s easy to feel alone. We can get stuck in our own little worlds, trying to shine ourselves up for the passersby that window-shop our lives. But on the inside, we sit in the dark wondering why this life is so hard and why we are the only ones that can’t get it together.


We need help—someone to walk with us and show us the way—maybe turning on a light or two.


What we don’t need is someone else to give us a list of steps and to tell us they’re easy. We have racks of magazines and stacks of books telling us that we’re not good enough. We have shows and programs to teach us how to be less of this kind of person and more like that. What we have less of is the people who live their lives with honesty and vulnerability—letting us see the moments as they happen, both good and bad, giving us hope and an example to follow.


In that way—our stories are one of the most important things we have. They’re the words and experiences that have gotten us from one place to another. They’re the moments of growth and of learning and of defeat that eventually turned to victory.


And in a deep, soul-tending way, those stories help—partly because they show us the way, but mostly because they show us that we’re not alone.


It’s one thing for someone to tell you that they’ve been there, or to casually reassure you that it’s all going to work out fine in the end. But it’s a totally other thing for that person to sit across the table from you and tell you that they know how hard it is to get out of bed in the morning—how it feels like the pit of depression is impossible to escape.


It’s reassuring to know that we’re not alone—that the confusion and hurt and doubt we’re experiencing isn’t only ours. There are people who have actually survived those swells and navigated those waters into a better way of living. It’s even better when they invite us to bring our ships right behind theirs—riding in the smooth protection of their wake.


Stories are the threads that connect humanity. They always have been. Stories were told before language was ever written, and shared before anyone knew how to read. They’re the ways that we reflect on who we’ve been and how we set a new course for who we’re going to become.


Stories are important. They’re the documentation of our lives—the way we touch the world outside of our immediate reach.


It’s tempting to think that the world needs lots of stories—but not ours. Tempting to believe that the only stories worth reading are stories of perfection, and good skin, and people starting orphanages in Africa. It’s tempting to think that the world doesn’t need our locked up, confusing mess of a story. That nobody would want to read about someone who is undone and knotted like us.


But the truth is that everyone is messy. Everyone has their own brand of confusion, their own specific flavor of doubt and insecurity and fear. And everyone needs to be told—from experience—that it’s all going to be ok. Everyone needs someone who has gone ahead, turned on some lights, and left some safety in their wake—that person can be you.


Will you live honestly and courageously? Will you tell your story?


Originally featured on Darling Magazine.

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  1. Meg says:

    What I have been learning about my story on the race is how much I don’t give it enough credit. How much I belittle that it truly matters. I am in the home stretch of month 4 & I am putting together what my story actually is and at almost 28 years old realize how important what has already happened to what is currently happening and what will happen.

  2. laceybastman says:

    Great post, Steph. Amen.

  3. laceybastman says:

    Great post, Steph. Amen.

  4. Stephanie, your words are amazing. I think I need to read this everyday in order to become brave enough to live the life I want. I’ve been battling this with my own friends. We all cover ourselves so well that sometimes even with your closest friends you don’t ever see authenticity. I especially think its the battle of knowing that we have blessed lives and knowing that we aren’t happy/satisfied/disillusioned/that the journey is so much harder than we thought… You are a blessing in my life. I love reading your posts so thank you for sharing!

    • Stephanie says:

      Cheryl, thank you so much for sharing this with me, and thank you so much for being a part of my story! I’m praying for authenticity within your friend group, and an open-eyed awareness of the blessings in all of your lives. It is harder than we think, isn’t it? But it’s also more beautiful. Thank you again Cheryl!

  5. Great post! Just what I needed. I’ll be sharing it via Twitter. Thank you!

  6. christy says:

    love this and love you woman! powerful!

  7. I think we are prone to hide parts of our stories from others because sometimes as Christians we get lost in all the uncertainties. I mean, I don’t know about you…but when I accepted Christ as Savoir, I’ll admit…there was a part of me that thought life would get a little easier. But I think if we’re all being honest, this is not the case at all. And it’s in the presence of this reality that we can feel unsure and out of touch with other people and even those closest to us….especially if it seems their totally happy or have it all together. We want to feel the way their actions speak to us in that moment…and we’d do almost anything to not let them know how much we’re actually hurting…so in turn, we stuff and don’t share our stories.

    Maybe by continuing to open up this reality (like you have today) we will learn that instead of telling those around us, “I’m okay” when we’re really not…we’ll instead tell them, “I’m not alright” and share our stories, real and raw. I’ve been surprised many times over how many other people out there relate to my story…scars and all. There truly is beauty in the broken…

  8. I was sent here from over at Anne’s and I loved what you you wrote there, instantly connected knowing I am not alone and here I am reading about how meaningful stories are. It is a beautiful thought and most lovely to see how you have put it down in all honesty. I love your gratitude too, I am trying to imbibe that myself these days.

    I really agree on the fact that we need to tell others of the moments when we were weak and not only when we were strong. That way you never know when and how your words tell someone we are all in this together.

    So glad to have found your blog Stephanie. 🙂

    Swati @ The Creative Bent

    • Stephanie says:

      Hi Swati! Thank you so much for reading! I’m so glad that you connected to the things I’m learning right now – stories are the best that way! 🙂 I’m so glad you found me too.:-)

  9. stephanie says:

    this is so beautiful steph! just what I needed to hear right now. 🙂 please keep writing!!!

  10. Britt says:

    Thank you, Stephanie! I have been reading your blog for awhile and your post inspired me to write this today 🙂 You just never know who needs to hear your stories.

    http://fableandfaith.blogspot.com/2013/04/africa-revisited-and-re-imagined.html

  11. Dawn Muench says:

    Steph as usual thank-you for this post. Thank you for sharing your stories w our little Wrecked crew and thank you specifically for the words of life you spoke to me- its possible you don’t even remember them bc I saw you share those snippets of words w so many that week. You helped me then, and again here, clarify some things I so easily lose focus of!! Keep sharing your story with us, please!!

  12. Erika says:

    Yet again, I can really relate to this post. I struggle so much with telling my story because I feel like it’s not anything special or not worth being told. That belief is slowly being eradicated, and any reminders of what stories can do always help. 🙂

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