I’m an ordinary girl from a very small town inSouth Carolina. I had dreams to travel and get a good education. I’m a pretty simple girl…didn’t dream about Ken or the Barbie house too much. On most days, I relished time with my family, eating great food, and staying busy with the daily happenings of life.
Who would have thought that God would take someone like that and send her to the Naval Academy, give her an opportunity to lead and serve in the United States Marine Corps? I would have never imagined my traveling to some parts of the world to see God’s vast creation, that I would have a beautiful family and great friends. On the other hand, I have experienced great challenges, hardships, suffering, and lost.
Who would have thought that God would use someone like me who is weak yet strong, practical yet a risk taker, knowledgeable yet ignorant, and the list of paradoxes endlessly go on. Yet, God does. Throughout scripture we see God’s choice to use flawed and imperfect people to fulfill his good purposes for the world. I am part of his plan, and so are you.
God does not waste any aspect of your life. He uses all of the good and bad to strengthen you for his works of service. I slowly understand the scripture:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10
God will accomplish his good works through you, and he will use your life and your story to do so. We show integrity when we share our stories with humility, transparency and authenticity. Leading and navigating through the messiness of life makes our influence real. People believe when you have actually been through stuff and taken a few hits to face another challenge or rise for a special occasion.
We are each created by God for his unique purposes. Do not shy away from the experiences that God has used to perfect you, and don’t feel pressured to view your life through the eyes of other people. The truth is, I am only good at telling one person’s story, and that’s my own. That’s what makes my approach to leadership different from everyone. We can certainly celebrate that God has made each of us different and together we can learn for our stories.
What is your approach to leadership? What makes your story unique?
© Natasha S. Robinson 2011
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A SISTA'S JOURNEY 
It’s about influence, not authority. Love. Encourage. Affirm. Believe the best. Give opportunity. Correct with specifics and hope.
Natasha,
Recently, I have been thrust into a position of leadership at my company. Initially, due to my low positional rank, I was a rather reluntant leader. Who would listen to a “nobody”?
I began to earnestly pray because I felt completely ill prepared for the great work that God put in me to do. He truly has opened doors at work and has given me the boldness to speak light into darkness.
My story is unique because I am always classified as “other.” I am a bi-racial female, a veteran, a working mother, and a Christian wife.
Best,
Gina V.
Indeed, God has given you a unique story, Gina. I can’t wait for you to share it with the world for real. 🙂 So glad to be on this journey with you. Blessings, Natasha