Bird’s Eye View

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

BREAKING NEWS!

You guys, I am so excited to share with you, that I’m going to be speaking at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Memphis, Tennessee on Sunday September 29th at 10:00am!

This is truly such an exciting step – and something that I have been praying about for a long time. So if you’re in the area, I would absolutely love to see you there!

One of my dear friends, fellow blogger, and OG readers of BBB — Jeff King — played an integral role in this speaking engagement coming together. He threw my name into the ring at his church, and so thank you, Jeff for believing in me, and helping this come to reality!

You know, it’s funny — because when I first started out this blog — having the opportunity to share my story was something a) I never would have dreamed would become a reality, or b) that I would have the courage to even admit to having had an eating disorder, and own up to my past in a public way.

So it’s kind of surreal that it’s all happening.

But for as excited as I am for this opportunity, I’m not going to lie — preparing for it, and writing the talks and whatnot — I’ve put off and put off and put off.

I have this approach avoidance to it. It has been incredibly challenging — but not for the reason you might be thinking. Because let’s be honest, your girl lives for a heavy work load. It’s not the effort that is causing me the hang up…

It’s the fact that…I feel incredibly unqualified. And in fact, I feel a bit like a phony.

Getting up and sharing my story — I feel like I’m flaunting around that I’ve got all the answers and that I’ve got it all figured out, when the fact is…I’m journeying through recovery just like everyone else who has ever gone through an addiction or eating disorder.

Recovery is a life long, winding road that takes lots of twists and turns. And who’s to say that they’ve ever got it all figured out.

But what’s more, is that I really have to dive into my story at a depth that I haven’t in quite a while.

Writing this blog, yes – it’s emotionally demanding, and I have to write about my past — but for the most part, I can keep some distance between myself and the truly dark parts of my history. I can keep that super painful part of my disease at arm’s length, and kind of dance around the deep stuff.

Not this time.

In preparing for these talks, I’ve really had to “go there.” Get back into the mindset of where I was, recollect the tough times, and really try to put the pieces together in a meaningful way that I can talk about coherently — not only for myself, but to a degree that I can bring someone else there.

That’s been the challenge. That’s been the root of my procrastination and approach avoidance.

But you know what? It’s been really good for me.

Because it has allowed me to really take a step back and see the bigger picture. I’ve been able to zoom out, like looking at the topography of my life from a helicopter — and I can see the twists and turns and detours my path has taken thus far. It’s been really a powerful exercise.

We all have a story. God has given us all unique paths and experiences that shape who we are. And all of our stories are worthy of being shared on a stage.

But the trials we endure — some more publicly than others — all point to one thing: His deliverance through it all.

Sometimes it takes longer to see, but there’s nothing we go through that God is walking through with us.

So I want to invite you, this month, as we are changing from summer to fall, to use this as an opportunity to revisit the topography of your life from a bird’s eye view.

Yeah, the experience is emotionally difficult, and you definitely have to work up the courage to really get in there, and not just look from arm’s length, but to get in the weeds of your past.

Because when you do, and when you truly are looking with earnest eyes that are willing to see, the Holy Spirit will reveal to you some of the reasoning behind the detours. He will give you peace and acceptance when you take that conscious effort to explore what might have been locked away in the deep recesses of our minds.

It definitely has with me.

So if that hasn’t shaken your confidence in my ability as a speaker — haha — I’d love to see you on the 29th in Memphis.

If this prep process has taught me anything, it’s that we are constantly evolving and He is always always at work, shaping us into better versions of ourselves, one day at a time.

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

204 thoughts on “Bird’s Eye View”

  1. Thanks for your sharing. Being authentic is also being vulnerable .. I pray that you are guided by the Holy Spirit to speak well,. I’m sure it will make a difference to those who will listen!

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  7. As a Christian recovering from a chequered past, Caralyn, this is an inspiring message. You were one of the first bloggers I followed two years ago when I started and although I’ve only 1/5 of your followers, I’ve published my first novel this summer and seen that God can use broken people for great things. I really hope & pray your speaking engagement is a big success 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much, I’m so glad this resonated with you! And gosh, thank you for walking this journey with me!! I am so touched. And congrats on your novel!!!!!! Hugs and love xox

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  9. This is so exciting!! I do thought I responded yesterday but it looks like I didn’t. I’m thankful for role models like you who are willing to share. My daughter and I will be praying for your sharing and for you to be comfortable diving in deep and sharing authentically and as the Lord leads! Praying for all in the audience who need to hear your words that He gives you that evening!!

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    1. Thank you Shell for sharing in the excitement with me!! oh my gosh you are too sweet — can’t begin to express how much I appreciate your prayers!!!! sending big big big hugs xox

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  11. You never stop being the focus of amazing, beautiful, wonderful happenings and I can’t express more how happy for and proud I am of you!! You will beautify that church with all the blessed gifts and light that projects from you!! You are an angel on earth who beams with the joys of the vastness of the heavens and you transform those joys into all those things you do that inspire the hearts, minds, and souls of all those who know you. Much love and an abundance of hugs!! You will do wonderful, as you are wonderful!!!!!!!!

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    1. Thank you so much Miguel, gosh you’re kind to say that!! I am seriously so touched by your encouraging words. 🙂 much love and hugs to you too!! xox

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  12. You will be a blessing! Just remember you play for an audience of One. Its all from Him and for Him and He loves you perfectly already. Thank you for being brave enough to share your story!

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  16. Congratulations, Caralyn! I see this as a beginning of a new ministry for you – one that, in my heart, I have seen you in for a long time! Remember and hold close to your heart, your directive from our Heavenly Father:
    Psalm 107:2-3
    Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
    And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
    Caralyn, Jesus bought you and loved you and saved you and redeemed you out from the hand of the enemy – ED – and is now calling you to say so! Hooray! Though I cannot be there to cheer you on in person, I will be praying for God to ignite and infuse your heart and tongue with the words and message He would like for you to say, and to give you strength and courage to do so. And to fill your heart with the same love He has for all those people who will be there. Much love to you sweet friend ❤

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    1. thank you so much Mindy!! gosh, you’re so kind — thank you for your support and prayers and for sharing in the joy with me!!! this really touched my heart and was just what i needed to read today! ((I’m getting nervous!!)) haha hugs xo

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  17. Congratulations! It takes a lot of mental and emotional energy to think through painful experiences to see the beauty in it. It can feel like you’re going backwards and like, “I don’t want to relive this. It took a lot to get through this.” But the fact is, we did get through it and looking back to see what God taught you won’t send you back. Much success to you.

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    1. Thank you so much Bella for sharing in the joy with me!!! you’re right about that — He always is teaching us what we need to learn. hgus xo

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  18. THANK YOU for doing this. I started following your blog because you have claimed Jesus’ VICTORY against anorexia and I am praying for a dear relative, who has struggled with it for at least seven years, to be able to do the same some day. Jesus uses your story to give hope when it seems there is no hope. Praying for you and the people you will encounter as you prepare—I know the “unqualified,” “phony” feelings that lead to procrastination and “approach avoidance” can be tough to conquer, BUT GOD….

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    1. thank you so much Rhonda!! Oh gosh, i am so touched by your encouraging words. I ‘m sorry to hear that your relative is going through that — i will definitely join you in prayer for them. Thank you for your kind words and for sharing in the excitement with me. hugs xoxoxooxox

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  23. Congratulations on this wonderful, spirit-led opportunity, Caralyn! I will be praying for you, especially on the 29th! I wish I didn’t leave so far away! I know what you mean about feeling like a phony. I’ve given my own testimony several times, in front of as many as 500 people! My knees were knocking the whole time, but I received several compliments afterwards. I have no doubt you will touch lives in Memphis!! Prayers for traveling mercies. You’ve got this!

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    1. Thank you so much Laura Beth!! Your prayers are so appreciated!! Oh wow that’s amazing!! Rock on sister!! 🙂 thanks for sharing in the joy with me 🥰 Hugs and love xox

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  25. I am excited for you. Congratulations! You are going to do an awesome job. God has equipped you for this moment and I know he will show up once again in a special by using you. Thank you for allowing us to have a front row seat to your healing. All of us have something special to add to the world. Our stories are unique on purpose. I am looking forward to hearing a great report.

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    1. Thank you Ada for the encouraging words! It truly means so much! 🙂 You’re so right about that – we all have valuable experiences to share with the world! thanks so much for sharing in the joy with me! xox

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    1. Thank you so much!! you’re so kind to say that. Thank you for your prayers and sharing in the excitement with me!! big hugs xo

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