When Nobody Knows Your Story But Everyone Knows Your Name

As a trainer and someone involved in the barrel horse industry it’s easy to get caught up in the lifestyle and drama of that world. And it IS it’s own world. After all, we are basically high stakes gambling addicts pulling the slot machine over and over with our entry fees just hoping to hit big one of these times. (haha)

The emotional highs and lows of barrel racing, especially on young horses can be taxing. It truly is a roller coaster and only the most resilient people make it through the lows without losing sight of who they are and why they do it.

At times I have felt totally defeated and lost. Being in a slump can really mess with your head and before you know it you’ve lost all confidence in yourself and you’re just clawing to find some sense of stability or gratification.

If you’ve ever been there you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Which leads me to my thoughts about being transparent and supporting each other.

We show the world a version of ourselves. But rarely the whole picture. We give everyone a glimpse of the bright moments, the triumph, and the fun. But what about the rest of the story? What about the defeat, the heartache, the sin and loss? Where is the real stuff?

Transparency is scary stuff. Baring your soul to the world is not for the weak hearted. But what if we all were a little less guarded?

Does transparency invite judgment and criticism? Probably. But it also invites grace, empathy and compassion.

It’s the realness to other people that draws them in to hear more of the story. When they are allowed into your failures and darkness they will be a genuine part of your victories and celebrations too.

I think of the verse that Paul wrote in 1 Timothy quite often, because I can relate to being the “worst of sinners”.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”

1 Timothy 1:15-16 NIV

Don’t miss that last part, so that Christ Jesus might display his IMMENSE patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

I am encouraged to know that God can still use me, the worst of sinners, to accomplish His will and draw people to Him.

Sometimes the real story of my life is not the one I want to tell. I’d rather paint a different picture. I’d rather show you the version of myself that is put together and doing great and making good choices, not the real me that is mostly a basket case just trying to make it day by day.

But what do I stand to gain by portraying an image other than the real me? I gain nothing from that, but I lose the opportunity to let the real, genuine work of Christ in my life encourage someone else.

Revelation 12:11 tells us that we overcome the enemy by the blood of Jesus and our testimony.

Let your real story, your testimony be heard because even when you are living in the thick of it, it could be the very thing that helps someone else overcome.

Be bold and transparent because of the free gift of forgiveness and salvation. None of us have done a darn thing to earn it, so let’s all be a little more real with each other. ❤️❤️

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