This episode is different. And honestly? A little scary for me to share.

I'm not teaching today. I'm not giving you a framework or a tool or a five-step strategy. Instead, I'm sitting down with you and sharing something much more personal, my private truths.

"Private truths" is a concept I borrowed from my coach Amy Porterfield. She asked me to think about the things my ideal client privately believes but never says out loud, the thoughts they keep to themselves for fear of judgment. And when I started writing mine down... I realized I had a whole list of things I believe deeply about faith, religion, and God that I've been quietly holding on to.

So after today, they won't be so private anymore.

I hope you don't judge me. And I hope that in hearing mine, you feel permission to love yourself for yours.

 MY PRIVATE TRUTHS IN THIS EPISODE:

·         I am deeply, proudly Catholic, AND I believe religion can sometimes get in the way of spirituality. Both are true at the same time.

·         I grew up with a fear-based experience of God. It wasn't until I met a priest who showed me the God of love and mercy, not rules and punishment, that everything changed.

·         I believe there are deeply Christlike people who don't call themselves Christian, and I think we are called to love them, admire them, and yes, even learn from them.

·         I believe the Bible is the living Word of God AND that it can be misused to justify almost anything, including harm and abuse, and that frightens me.

·         I believe the Bible is meant to be LIVED, not just studied and memorized. And the way I protect myself from interpreting it through my own ego is through surrender, meditation, and contemplative prayer.

THE STORY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR ME:

I remember going to confession and telling my priest, Father Hadover, that I hadn't been making it to Sunday Mass — because I was a brand new mom and my daughter's nap schedule was making it impossible. I was bracing for a lecture. Instead, he looked at me with so much compassion and said: "God doesn't want you to feel guilty. He wants you to be excited to come visit Him. You are living your Mass at home when you take care of that child He entrusted to you."

That one moment cracked something open in me. I never missed Mass again, not because I was afraid, but because I was in love. THAT is the God of love and mercy I believe in.

MY INVITATION TO YOU:

What are YOUR private truths? What do you think and believe privately that you've been afraid to say out loud?

I believe that when we release the truths that don't serve us and embrace the ones that bring us closer to God, we step into the freedom He designed us to live in.

I love you like crazy, and I am SO proud of you for being here. 💛

 Resources & Links:

• Ready to step into your purpose and answer God’s calling to do more? Learn about my programs at FaithAndGrowth.com

• If you’re ready to take action, book a call at TalkToBetsy.com

• Grab my book, Hurt 2 Hope: Heal the Pain of Grief, Loss, and Adversity: https://a.co/d/awwbAgc

• Download the Better with Betsy App and gain 24/7 access to Betsy through her Betsy Bot!

• Free Purpose Workshop! Go to https://faithbasedcoachingacademy.com/purpose/ purpose to secure your spot

I am praying for you to have the strength, the wisdom, and the courage to get started today. I love you like crazy. 💛