The experiences that I write about have been a lifetime development, but Mabry Lane was never really something that I knew would be in my future. God just worked in my life and made it happen! So, today, I wanted to talk a little about the months leading up to my first post on Mabry Lane. I hope that you can become encouraged through this and enjoy!

The story behind Mabry Lane

As you many of you may know, I was called into the ministry in 2018. When I made this decision, I figured that my decision would not really be put into action until after high school. Toward the end of May in 2019 (a year later), I felt that God was telling me to do something right then. I needed to stop thinking and start doing. The problem was, I did not know what to do for my ministry. What was I able to do at my age? I had already been helping out in my churches children’s ministry, so I began to pray. I asked God what He wanted me to do. I got an answer that I thought was a great idea, but I was not real ready for it.

Blogging. That was my ministry. God was telling me that I needed to share my writing with others to glorify Him. As always, I began to have doubts and think about the “what ifs.” What if no one read my blog? What if I get something wrong when I am writing? What if no one likes what I am writing? What will my friends think when they find out I am writing a Christian blog? God reminded me over and over of these verses:

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:9

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28

I had done a devotion not too long before this about chasing the “what ifs” and getting out of the comfort zone. This definitely helped me overcome my giant “what ifs.” I realized that I would not accomplish anything by looking at the what ifs. I could possibly accomplish something if I gave blogging a shot, though. I mean, what if one person reads my blog and decides to follow Jesus? What if one person is ready to end their life but reads my blog and realizes how much they are loved? What if one person feels so alone and hopeless, then reads my blog and realizes that God is still right there fighting for them?

So, I went for it. I did all my research, got my blog ready, prayed, prayed, and prayed some more, and I posted my first post. It was the most terrifying thing I have ever done, but I am so glad that I did it!

The night the post went live, my mom had shared my post on Facebook. Within the next few days, I had 200 views. That was 200 times that someone had opened and read my testimony! I was immediately filled with joy. God really did know what He was doing. He is such a good, faithful God!

If it were not for God and those 200 views that I got on the first day, I am not sure that I would have had the strength to run this blog. So, I want to say thank you. Thank you for opening and reading Mabry Lane. Whether you realize it or not, you are part of the reason that Mabry Lane is possible! You not only encourage me, but you glorify God in the process! So, thank you!

No matter how many times I say thank you, you will never understand how much I appreciate each and every one of you! Enjoy the rest of your week!

See ya next time beautiful people,

Madi