When I was in highschool, I went away to a weekend youth retreat at a University in New Brunswick. While I was there, I stayed with a group of girls I had never met before. They lived in a dorm that was split into four apartments on each floor, with three floors in the dorm. When I walked up to the apartment I was staying in, I saw a sign on the door that said, “Naked and Unashamed.”  When I asked the girls I was staying with what this meant, they told me it was in reference to the verse in the Bible that talks about Adam and Eve both being “naked and not ashamed.”  They went on to explain that one of the professors at the school had talked about this verse, and said it was important to have people in our lives we can be completely raw and honest with. On top of this, they also said the professor explained it is important to not let fear or shame keep us from confessing our sins and struggles to one another, as well as to not hold onto guilt and shame for the things we have done.

This is something that stood out to me, as I had never thought about this concept before. I had never really experienced a friendship where I could be completely honest about my struggles and sins, and where I could trust that the person I confessed these things to would not look at me differently, but instead see me for where my identity truly lies in Christ. I noticed a craving for this kind of friendship starting to form, and began pursuing it.

I believe this is one reason why I am really bad at small talk. Whether I am in a conversation with a stranger, or someone I have known since kindergarten, I would much rather go deep and talk about meaningful things than the weather. 

This is why I decided to create this blog. I would like to share my struggles, sins, thoughts, and the things I am learning with you. However, at the same time, I would like you to know that it is okay, and in fact important, for you to surround yourself with people you can do the same with, including me.