My Most Brave Self

I have been reading "Let's All Be Brave" by Annie Downs, and I have been following Mandy Hale's book release of "Beautiful Uncertainty" These two books seem to have the same message. "Don't stay and hide, because you are scared and don't know how it's going to work out, instead, be adventurous and go do it--it's really the best choice" I think my response should be "YEAH LETS GO AND DO IT!!!" But it hasn't. Instead, I have been very reflective of the season of my life that was about 6-7 years ago. When everyday was an adventure. Everyday I felt unsure, uncertain of what was next, but I was so adventurous. I did things outside of my comfort zone. I was so proud of the steps and way my life looked" I knew the stage of life I was in was going to be short lived, I feared not knowing what was next, but I felt confident that I could tackle that fear and that I would make it out better and stronger (with a small chance that I would end up living in my parents basement if it all fell apart---that fear was very real, and very motivating NOT to give up)

I lived right outside of Denver (5 minute drive from the border close) And went to church that was so close to downtown. This church that showed me that I can LOVE church.

My Denver church has been on my mind so much lately. It was a mix of classic baptist church (Adult Sunday School, a choir, glass podium on stage, stained glass windows-70s style) and real-life living blended together. They were big on having a core group of Christians in your life, and naturally integrating non-believers into that, to make your everyday-self ministry.


They cared about their 20 year-olds. Not many churches do that. They believed that singles and married people could be friends and could benefit from being in a blended community and made that work well--very very few churches do that well.  They cared about the community. They did so many amazing things that showed people the love of Christ and that they wanted them to join this amazing Christ family. And it made it so easy for a person to be join in and be part of that ministry.

I had the most diverse group of friends from this church. There wasn't really anyone whose life was really similar to mine in that moment. Very few people in our group had friends others whose lives were similar to theirs. and that is what made our group so amazing. You were accepted, you didn't need to look a certain way, because no one looked the same. You instantly became friends with people. You are under 25 and want to be at church? Perfect, me too, stick with me, we will forever be connected. I haven't ever experience that before.

I had a hard time leaving my Denver Church because it was so incredible. It was SO CLEAR that season of my life was over when it was time for it to be over, but I still get "homesick" for that season. It was so hard, but so incredible.

It was truly the Bravest season of my life. And I miss feeling so scared as I took strong steps and seeing how God worked in everything.