How to Live That Broken, But Full Life {In Which You Might Want to Share Your Story?}

I've been dragging my feet. Complaining.

Waiting is hard. And it seems in my life there have been a whole lot of things to wait on.

And then, I cried out and asked God to teach me how to fully live when I am waiting, because I 'm not. Life doesn't stop and party with you when you throw a pity party. It keeps moving forward.

And God began revealing Truth to me in His Word, and this waiting series was born.

But God didn't stop there.

In the midst of this series, I got a quiet email in my inbox from one of you. It told your own personal story of waiting. And while I cannot share the contents of that email, for it is not my story to share, it left me undone. It shook me right out of my pity party, and in the best way. And since that email, some of you have mentioned the things you are waiting on. Each time, it has left my heart feeling broken for you. I suppose we can choose to live with broken-open hearts or impenetrable, calloused-from-life hearts.

See, I am learning: God plants purpose—dreams—inside of a human, fleshy shell. Full of pride, selfishness, impatience. And the only way to extract the usable kernel of wheat is to crush the whole grain. In that crushing, the chaff separates from the wheat kernel, then the Lord of the Harvest takes that crushed grain and raises it back to life, free from its chaff exterior, ready to be used.

Fresh Wheat Photo Credit

I can get stuck feeling sorry for myself, I can get stuck in my lack of trust—worried if God will ever bring about His promises. I can live so clench-fisted demanding from God. I can pull the covers over my head, refuse to be crushed, cling to my chaff—for really we only see in part and know in part this side of heaven but I refuse to trust that God sees in full and He knows what He is doing.

You see, only one person can attend a pity party. The second someone else shares their story, something magical happens--ministry. I care. You care. I am crushed and clinging to my chaff, and the second you expose your brokenness, I realize I can let go and expose myself too. And when we let go—separate, die to self—God raises back to life.

I want to live a raised-up, full life!

We all have a story. If I can say everyone waits, and God uses waiting to refine, then you all have a story of waiting to tell.

And I wonder? Would you share yours? Would you allow your story to minister?

Could that magical, we-might-be-broken-and-imperfect-and-still-working-out-our-wait-yet-so-full-of-grace ministry happen here?

Here's my thought:

Will you share your story in 200 words or less and slip it into my email box? You may choose to be anonymous or you may choose to share your name. (I will not share anything other than what you have given me permission to share.) I will put a post up, maybe a few depending on how many stories I get, sharing your stories—like 5 or so at a time.

If you are a blogger and want your own readers to hear your story too, I will provide a link up for you to use. Have your post ready next Tuesday, the link up will go live at 8am, PST (provided I encounter no technological glitches). (If you are linking up, that 200 word rule doesn't apply to you—and how many bloggers could keep it anyways?! Ha!)

I want your imperfect stories of how you are waiting. It’s okay if you find your wait hard! It’s okay if your wait isn’t “super traumatic," and it's okay if it is too. It’s okay if your story is messy! Just tell YOUR story.

I want your redeemed stories of a time you waited and saw God show up. Encourage us that are in the midst of our waits!

I would even love an encouraging letter to the conquering housewives that starts something like “I want those of you who are waiting on (insert something specific like illness, infertility, wanting to be married, divorce, loss…) to know………..” and share your wisdom and heart with us.

If you have a story that simply cannot fit into 200 words or less, that's okay! Send it anyways! Just know, if for some odd reason I have a huge influx of 1000 word emails it may take me awhile to get to them all and I may not be able to put yours up.

Disclaimer: If for some reason there is a huge influx of letters, I may not be able to put them all up (I am a small blogger, I don’t think this will be a problem… but just in case) Also, I reserve the right to filter what gets placed on this blog. If I feel something is inappropriate, I may choose to not place it up here. Same thing for the link party, if a post is linked that is innaproppriate, I will remove it. I also reserve the right to do any minor editing that may be necessary (like spelling or grammar) before sharing it. (Most likely you will not need to worry about this! :))
Also know, when I do share your stories, should a comment appear that is judgmental, mean, or inappropriate I will remove it as soon as I am able (and you are welcome to report it as well). I care more about your hearts and this being a safe-to-be-vulnerable place than I do about "good discussion." Once again, I have never had that issue, but just in case :)

I am so excited for the way God could use this, the way God can use YOU. When we put all that stuff that has been weighing us down into the Light and ask God to use it as it is, something amazing happens. I am so full of expectancy for what God might do!!

We shall be conquering housewives indeed!

xo
Amanda

Email me: conqueringhousewife{at}the-cadence{dot}com

Okay so quick recap of this post:

Ministry happens when we share our stories with each other.
Write me an email telling me your waiting story? Or write a blog post and link it up here?
Email me your story by Tuesday, October 2, 2012. Link party will go live at 8am, PST on Tuesday, October 2.
Come back here to read stories of waiting. I am planning on sharing through Friday, October 5, but may go longer if necessary.

Oh, and on a totally unrelated sidenote, I have gotten a little better at Twitter. Follow me? @conqhousewife I'll follow ya back :)