I saw something this weekend that I’m not sure I can put into words.
I saw brave.
I saw courageous.
I saw women choosing to show up and say “me, too.”
I saw women craving a space to tell their stories because a bunch of us sat in front of a camera one day last fall and shared ours – and they felt invited to join the conversation because we went first. Sisters who felt so strongly about community that they were willing to drive nearly an hour to meet at the house of someone they’d never met to watch some videos and eat some chocolate and live a little life together.
We chose to be women who did life WITH one another.
Laughed with.
Cried with.
Cheered with.
Crafted with ๐
Praised God with.
I didn’t expect the stories I heard. I didn’t expect to see God showing up in such incredible ways in the lives of women I’d never met before. I didn’t expect to connect with some of these new friends so quickly or so authentically. The other thing I didn’t expect?
All of the emails, tweets & Facebook messages from women who said that my story resonated with them. Because that story I shared on Saturday’s keynote? It’s not one I ever want anyone to relate to, if I’m honest. And it breaks my heart that so many have, but it encourages me to know that God has not left a single one of us in that pit. I said in my story that God redeems everything. But I didn’t know that wasn’t the end of the story.
You see…the weekend I recorded that story? I’d written it in a book proposal that went home with several publishers. And then got sent out to a lot of other publishing houses. And I waited for months to hear the same answer.
No.
My story of rejection was rejected. And when I realized that several thousand women would be hearing part of that story at (in)RL I was scared. I didn’t know if it was worth anything. I assumed that no one would relate to it if all of these publishers said they didn’t want it and I almost asked the team not to include it. Oh, but God…
He chose this weekend to redeem the rejection of my rejection. He showed me that all of those “no’s” were simply preparing the way for other women to say “me, too.” I knew God wanted to me tell that story –ย I just missed the memo on the format and timing.
To the women who blessed me with their stories and hugs this weekend? Thank you. Thank you for sharing part of your hearts, your laughter, your lives with me. And to those of you who read these words who need to be encouraged today – know this. God is not done with your story. His timing is perfect. And He has never given up on you. There are women out there who need to hear your story so they can feel brave enough to say “me, too.”
Did you attend (in)RL this weekend? I’d love to hear about it! And if you missed it but would like to watch the videos, you can purchase a DVD at DaySpring.com!
Chris Malkemes says
Thank you so much for making the real (In) RL.
Frances says
Thank you, Crystal, for all the work & heart you put into inRL this year! It is so appreciated! The beautiful thing I sense about the inRL women in my area & incourage ladies in general is: acceptance & welcoming.. not rejection. I pray that is true of me, more and more! For being brave to share your story, thank you! Thank you.
Crystal says
What a blessing to hear that, Christy! You are such an encouragement ๐
Amy Clary says
Alright. I just want to sit across a table from you right now & tell you “I’m in the ‘me too’ club, Crystal”. Community ripped me to shreds. Women I trusted let me down and my lifelong best friend blamed our break-up on me shortly after she was my maid of honor. It gets worse than that but the hurt from the rest is so great, I’ve only whispered it through tears to my mom and my husband.
I’m sorry those publishers said “no” but I’m glad for the way God said “yes”. Because a story like yours? I just needed to see you say it. I’ve read blog posts and books of those who I can relate to but the relating isn’t as real for me, somehow, as when I can hear the words with my own ears.
When I saw the tears fill your eyes, I had them in my eyes too. Yah. I know. It’s still scary…but it’s so important to stay in community.
Also? I firmly believe that “no” is not a permanent answer. <3
Crystal says
And I firmly believe that I adore you. For reals. And I’m so very sorry your heart has been broken by community, but it is such a joy to see how you embrace sisters online. You haven’t given up. God hasn’t left you in that pit. And I am so very grateful.
Paula Claunch says
I SO wish I would have participated in a meet up! I’m hearing so many amazing and powerful stories coming out of them! Thanks for sharing.
Crystal says
Sometimes a meetup is when we meet one-on-one with God to let Him be the hug we need ๐
Becky Daye says
I hope and pray that you will continue to be encouraged and that you will be reminded to keep being brave, keep being faithful. God’s timing, my friend! Keep trusting Him, because your story matters. And you don’t need a publisher to tell you that. The Author of your story has already declared it true.
Much love and thank you for ALL of your work!!! So many have been blessed and encouraged because of your faithfulness!
Crystal says
This just makes me want to jump up and say “Amen!” “The Author of your story has already declared it true”..gosh that’s good. That might need printed & hung up where I can see it every day ๐
Deanna Wiseburn says
Crystal, I so love your heart and I am glad that you were blessed this weekend by a re-birthing of your dream. I did relate to your story and community is incredibly hard. And yet sitting at home watching #in(RL) has ruined me….because I keep thinking about how I can do this, I can stand beside someone where they are, and love them and challenge them forward. Then I remember I don’t like the messiness of community. And my dear friend who I shared this with, who is also my Pastors wife is trying to encourage me to start a breadbreakers group, studying the word and encouraging others on in life.
Crystal says
Oh Deanna! I love that idea! Will be praying with you as you consider that opportunity ๐
Amy Krance-Wendt says
I am so glad those publishers said “no” for now — otherwise, we may not have been able to be blessed with your sharing in this weekend’s (in)RL broadcast! Rejoicing for all the hearts who were touched by your story…..beauty for ashes.
Crystal says
Beauty for ashes indeed ๐
Marie Gregg says
I’m SO GLAD you shared your story, even though it was difficult. Sadly, I think that more women than not can relate to it. I know I can.
Crystal says
Aw thank you Marie!
Karrilee Aggett says
I love you. I love how He is redeeming the broken parts of your story in bringing healing to so many!
Crystal says
Love you too, Karrilee!
KristinHillTaylor says
You’re brave for sharing your story. I love how you got a glimpse of God’s redemption when this weekend. Redeeming the rejection of rejection – oh how that’s the heart of God.
Crystal says
Can’t tell you how grateful I am for sisters like you who hear my heart when I feel like I stumble through my story {hug}
Janelle Allen says
Love you! It was an amazing weekend and I’m so glad I got to spend it with you ๐
Crystal says
I can’t thank you enough for opening your home to all of us and for your amazing hospitality ๐ Grateful for you!
Brynna Slater says
I found your blog after hearing your story on Saturday at a meet-up for (in)RL. As I watched the video come on and heard you start telling your story, all of a sudden I didn’t feel like I was in a room surrounded by strangers anymore. I felt like someone out there knew exactly what I had been going through even if you weren’t in the living room I was sitting in. I had one of my closest friends “break up with me” as I call it, but basically do exactly what you were describing, last July. I am still very raw from that experience and on top of it I just moved to a new town a few months ago. Trying to find a community to belong to has been difficult, especially as I try to brush away the lies that keep circling back into my head that “i’m too needy”, “i’m too awkward”, etc. So to hear your story helped me feel like I’m not alone in this, and allowed me to think maybe other people in that room had experienced something similar in their lives. It was easier to begin to connect with others at the meet-up I went to because of hearing your story. So, thank you.
Crystal says
Oh Brynna – I’m so sorry you went through that, but so incredibly glad you were able to connect with some new friends! Praying for you this morning, that the enemy would be silenced, that God would heal, and that you would see your story redeemed. {{hugs}}