The New Norms

Dear Encouragers,

Can we normalize going back to the basics?

Like, can we backtrack to the beginning where it all started? Imagine with me for a second; envision the words typed on this page. Think of the earliest memory of yourself. Envision the youngest, purest version of yourself, and observe yourself closely. So youthful, free, full of life, without a stain or blemish. You were learning, yes, but you were brave enough to put yourself out there into the world by boldly being yourself. Think of the things you used to enjoy. Think about the things that used to make you laugh. Think of your most exciting Christmas as a child, and backtrack to the very beginning of time. Weren’t things simple back then? I’m not asking you to regret or ponder on the things that got in the way of THAT you, but I’m encouraging the gift of nostalgia to fill you up and make you feel warm again. Before we were exposed to the sinful tragedies of this world, our hearts were spotless. Before we could comprehend what dating was and what abuse sounded like, things were good. Before society could consider us as “different,”...we were all normal! All of us had some outrageous, outlandish imagination,  we all weren’t afraid of taking risks or showing love, and we truly believed that we could run faster than anyone known to man. So let’s get back to the basics before bondage and societal norms were a thing. Let’s go back to the version of ourselves that were open to change.., growth, and unknown heights. In order to be transformed, God wants you to return to who you enjoyed being, not who society or circumstances forced you to become.

   When I walked around as “Krissy” (aka the girl that thrived at being in the world), I received everything I thought I wanted.

I was: 

• Pretty
• Nicely shaped
• Funny
• Admirable,
• Multi-talented. 

 I had decent grades with the perfect job, I fit in with the most known people in my city, my family spoiled me, I had money, and I always got attention. The truth is that I had everything…, but myself. I was everything to everyone; I lied to make myself sound more interesting, never told people no, flirted my way through life, and cheated on every guy I ever entertained. I was living a hollow, meaningless facade all because that’s what the world told me to do. “You have to be the best, look the finest, be the smartest, but play dumb and innocent, be funny, be gifted, smile but don't smile too hard, have sex, do drugs, lie, go to parties or clubbing, drink your problems away”. “Strive for money, fame, fortune or success; Die, die, die. Kill the younger you that you once knew because they aren’t accepted in the real world. Change your name, straighten your hair…” sigh, the list goes on and ON. This world convinced the best version of me to TAKE A HIKE. Because I didn't know better, I used Society as my guide instead of God. I ran and ran and ran as far as I could from who I knew to be, because I was terrified that Kris (the purest version of me) wouldn’t make it out ALIVE. My circumstances at home were horrible; toxic arguments all day long, no good food to eat, and my mom barely had money, but, MAN, did she work like a dog. No one to cling to except the people my age; I didn’t have healthy friendships or relationships, so I began to create to survive. 

I began creating a double life; Homeless and Hungry on one end and Sexy, Wild, and “FREE” on the other. My mom would take us to church, but when I slowly realized I wasn't  comprehending the word because my life was very chaotic for a child/teenager at the time ( I didn’t know God for myself nor did I understand the mere concept of him), I taught myself what most of us probably did. To roll with the punches, to get right or get left; To mesh into the crowd because being different

means you’re a weirdo…you’re an outcast…you’re set apart…you’re all alone from everyone and everything else created in this world. Slowly but surely though, the Lord reminded me that I was called for that very purpose...I was called to be set apart…I was called to be set free. I was called to be conformed into his image…I was called to be uniquely me.

The Lord created me an original, NOT a copy,…but people didn’t like ME;  they didn’t care to see the REAL ME; they only cared about the person they thought I should be. So I was…you know…everything the world told me to be!

In scripture, Mark 8:36 bubbles up a new way of seeing if all of this STUFF is worth it. Jesus says HIMSELF:

“What good is it for someone to gain the WHOLE WORLD [with all its pleasures], yet” forfeit his soul?

I was doing any and everything under the sun just to fill the hole of emptiness in my heart. I was depressed because my soul was starving, and everything around me seemed so UNSATISFYING!! I began seeking a way out of this broken cycle we call “living.” That’s when I realized I had one of two choices, as we all do. I could either put my pride aside by allowing Jesus to help me break out of the mold Culture shoved me into, admit I messed up and ask God for a way out, or die by “living my truth because I’m young and I wanna have fun.” Once I was left with nothing-things got messy, the walls I stacked up started to cave in, and I, along with Kris and Krissy, almost got crushed by the pressures of my problems. I did what Kris knew best; I called on the God she remembered from childhood- not knowing if he would even hear me under all the gravel and compacted oxygen. I decided that I was a sinner and couldn’t get MYSELF out of the sin I’d been feeding off my entire life. I had to drop everything weighing me down to grab onto Jesus. I understood that God sent his only Son for these exact moments. I had to trust that Jesus wasn’t just Lord; he was an ACTUAL SAVIOR. In December 2020, Jesus became my HERO; he didn’t just save that part of me like this world probably would’ve…he saved all of me. After encountering an experience this VAST & this GREAT…I couldn’t  just go back to pointless living when someone saves my life, so I vouched to try my best to follow him, and from that day forth, He told me to get back to the basics. To throw out all that was “me” and keep all that was him.

• 
  No more “Krissy”
• No more drugs
• No more drinking
• No more lying about my name or identity
• No more surviving off of cheating, lying, and deceit 
• No more unhealthy relationships of ANY kind
• No more burying versions of myself
• No more fitting in
• No more HIDING
• No more walking in Darkness…

That’s what I was doing…walking in darkness because darkness was all I ever knew. But what if there’s freedom in backtracking? What if there’s a speck of light waiting to be brightened there in the dark? Dig deep within yourself and allow God to reveal that seed, that speck of light, that mini version of you, and nurture it. Water it. God showed me the young version of myself trapped in an abandoned house in the dark, alone and scared but still curious and hopeful. Is the original you in that same situation? Did you put the younger you in some broken-down leaky house to die of neglect? God changed my life in the blink of an eye because he revealed that we needed to go back to what my soul loved…back to the things that are pure, holy, and wholesome. Things like:

1. Prayer
2. Reading
3. & Writing
4. Working out 
5. Seeing Nature
6. Painting
7. Dancing
8. Laughing
9. Cooking
10. Pilates
11. Long conversations
12. Purpose
13. Meaning
14. Intimacy
15. Love, and more. 

These are all the things I now walk in as I continuously stride to be better in my relationship with Christ. Because He knows me He’s been able to combine Kris and all her child-like ways, as well as Krissy and the knowledge/wisdom she’s been able to experience to create this better version of me. God is still molding me every day okay, the job is indeed never done; He keeps the good and throws out what’s rotten and bad, but it’s good because He uses all these parts of me to work everything out for the good. 

With Godfidence, I can say that I’m finally able to breathe after 20+ years of living; I feel lighter, more vulnerable and valuable…seen…free. When was the last time you inhaled a breath of fresh air? When was the last time you did something YOU LOVED doing? When was the last time you healthily prioritized your soul & your inner self? YES, Without the distractions, without hours scrolling on social media or playing video games, without the drugs, without the gossip, without burying yourself in work. When was the last time you did something fulfilling that required pure, sober fun and no worldly strings attached? You owe yourself a state inspection with The Creator who knows the REAL YOU like the back of his hand. Love…I hate to break it to you, but you need an oil change and a new battery pack to boost your energy. He can only do it if you are willing, though. Are you ready to stop surviving, so you can start living again? Lay down the old you and shed new skin, babe. Those temporary highs, addictions, fake company, and lonely nights full of sorrow aren’t sustainable, so go back!

Let’s say a prayer that can help you repent:

( repent means to TURN toward the opposite direction you’re walking in right now )

God,

I’m broken. I’m stained. I am far from who I’m supposed to be. Help me to turn back in your direction. I need saving from the ways of this world because, transparently, I'm TIRED of walking in the dark, and I’m sick of being someone I’m not! This hardened heart and these horrible habits aren’t things I can survive off of anymore. Rewind to where the real me left off; before life came n hit me like a truck. I’m tired of playing this rat race with the Enemy, so here I am asking for clear direction.  I welcome you into my life, so we can start sorting through all the clutter in this place I’m trying to make a home. Reveal to me where I need to be, so I can walk in who I’m destined to be. Help me to go back to the basics. I need actual change… 

And I’m starting to believe and remember that actual change starts with you, so have your way, and your will be done.

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen.

Amen means “so be it”..., I pray that you allow true renewing to shift your mindset so you can see again; let God revamp your heart and habits so that he can reinvent you entirely. I love you, so putting you on game is what I’m here for. You can stop living the lifestyle you’re caught up in today. You heard me! YES, you can start over for the better, and YES, you can start RIGHT NOW…as you are; you’ve just got to believe that God’s the only person that can carry the burden. Acknowledge God's sacrifice that was given so you could have a fresh start and not live Hell on Earth. From personal experience, I’m TELLING YOU it’s possible; you just have to have faith that the uncovering and backtracking WILL come to pass! Encouragers, you are the apple of my eye; you push when the world says pull. You give and remain rooted by fighting for all the things that are right; you’re strong when you tap into the Lord’s strength, so I know change can happen. Go back with God and you’ll see the unknown + how magical it can all be. Cut off anything wrong or in your way, delete and block some numbers. Do what you have to do with all your might to break free by getting back to the basics. I believe in you Encouragers…remember you are now not alone.

Peace & Love to you all.

Your Truly,

Kristyn Malika Sampson