Dear God, It's Jus Me is a podcast that encourages people to be live, authentically with God’s help. Throughout my journey called ‘Life’, I have learned to ‘Grow Through’ both the planned and unexpected things that have taken place around me. These things are what gave me a story to tell, and a testimony to share that has the power to uplift and encourage someone else. We all have an experience, but our experience is not what defines us. What defines us it's how well we respond and how well we push through to become, not a product of our experiences, but the product of what was taught and learned through them. I was raised in a two-parent household in a small country town called Cheeks, TX. I had three brothers and three sisters by my parents, and a brother and a sister by my father’s first wife who would visit often. We lived in a three bedroom house that was given to us. We wore hand-me-down clothes, we boiled water to bathe, cooked on a heater, ate government cheese, drank powdered milk and well water, and propane was a luxury when we had it. Growing up, my mother worked three jobs as a housekeeper while my father worked for John Deere, a U.S manufacturing company. While in the country town of Cheeks, TX, my family grew accustomed to the Rodeo. Yep, cowboys and cowgirls, and it seemed like that was all we knew to do and enjoy. My parents fought quite often and struggled with infidelity. My father also fought my brothers, and siblings fought siblings. You know what they say, “A family that fights together…stays together” or something like that. My fathers’ mother and father, who lived on the same property, showed favoritism to my older brother; the first son by my fathers’ first wife. I was born catholic, and always went to church with my grandparents, though I didn't not have a clue about being catholic. Just seemed like something I should do, since I was born into it, still it never resonated with me. My mother eventually left my father, and not long after we joined the Baptist church and I joined the choir. Singing in the choir was something that I loved, and eventually I became the choir director. By that time, I I became much more familiar with God, who he was, and our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. One thing I can say, I was never forced to go to church, because I always felt the need to be there. Even so, I have come to learn that God is not confined to one denomination or a community of people, or even a building, but he exists in the hearts of those that believe in and seek him. As I look back and reflect on my life and my upbringing, I realized it was indeed hard. Yet, not so bad at the same time, because I knew in the back of my mind that God was always near and always in reach. I’m grateful for my relationship with God, because it has been the thing that has kept me and drove me all these years. I have spent the majority of my life being a friend, an encourager, and a helper to so many people. It’s the thing I love to do, it's a part of who I am. I have made it my responsibility to be the very thing I lacked in this world, but I know that there is more growth to be made, and more God has given me to do. I have made the mistakes of pouring and giving my time in all the wrong people and places. DGIJM is not only an opportunity to pour in to others, but to give back to myself. It is the expression of my personal reflections and my Love Letter to God. All the Glory belongs to him for bringing me this far, but now is the time to go a little farther in my journey discovering what God has called me to do. The overview of the life I’ve had growing up in my family, like many, I have been counted out, looked over, told I’m not going to amount to anything, abused, rejected, abandoned, used, and belittled. Still, God did not forget about me, neither has he forgotten about you. I’m here to tell you today that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s Image and he makes no mistakes. Like me, you have been chosen to be a Vessel of God’s grace, mercy, and unmatched love for humanity. These days, a platform is needed to have a voice in today’s society, Dear God, It’s Jus Me is mine, I have a voice and I am here to encourage you that you do too. Our goal is to create a safe and inclusive space where you can share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. We want to create a community where everyone feels heard, understood, and supported wherever you may find yourself in life. It’s no judgment, it's all love on DGIJM, because God has the final say. We believe in the power of growing in your truth, as God leads you to his. We encourage everyone to share their unique perspectives. If you're struggling with mental health issues, identity, navigating relationships, family abandonment, rejection, church hurt, doubt, unbelief, feeling unloved, or just trying to make sense of the world, we want to be your listening ear, encouragement, family, and a friend.