Sharing your testimony is one of the biggest parts of Christianity. But it’s terrifying. At least for me.

You see, my testimony is still very much “in the works.” And what I’ve been most scared of is that fact that my testimony isn’t just about me. It includes many people in my life and how those people have affected me to this day. Some of them good, some of them bad. I’ve been truly blessed to have the friends, mentors, family, teachers etc. that have helped me along the way. Without them, I wouldn’t be this version of Bailey. I took little bits and pieces of all the good people in my life and stored them in my own personality. But I also acquired lots of information from the bad people in my life and learned what NOT to do, how NOT to treat people, and how NOT to live my life.

You learn something from everyone. Our brains are constantly gathering information from our surroundings whether we like it or not. Some of us think it’s judgmental, but there is a fundamental core purpose for examining other people – to gather information. This is a primal instinct. One that some people have a more heightened sense of than other (LOL). Like my husband is constantly scanning the room, always aware of his surrounding…in public settings. But when we are home, he is not so aware of what’s going on (another LOL). Probably because he is relaxed in his own safe environment without having to be alert of others.

My point of this is, everyone you come into contact with is going to affect you good, bad, or indifferently. You never know who is going to make it into the pages of your life’s testimony until after the fact. It’s hard to see something that is so close to your face, so you don’t realize just how much this person affected you until after the fact.

Choose wisely who you allow in your life. Recognize red flags, but also recognize good people. Sharpen yourself. Hang out with people who are helping shape you towards Heaven, and not the ones who are causing you a tiny hell on earth. If he seems bad, he’s probably bad. If she is uncomfortable to be around, she’s probably not good for you. Pay attention to your instincts and your own feelings rather than try to be socially correct. This was one of my biggest flaws as a young woman and it hurt me so badly. Surround yourself with people who know you are a daughter/son of The King and that you are valuable. Ditch the bad influences, the abusive boyfriend, or the shady friend, because you CAN love/pray for them from a distance. Be careful my friends, other people become a part of your testimony.

Love,

B