← Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt
Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt
Body Image and Confidence with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Reece Weaver
01:06:36
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- [00:00]
A
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A
How have you been able to keep an eye audience of one?
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B
There's only one of her and a one of me. And I have to remember that we're both called to whatever the Lord has called us to do.
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A
When you know whose you are, you'll know who you are.
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B
I know not everyone's going to like me, but only approval that I need is from Christ.
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A
What would be your encouragement to someone who wants to grow in their confidence and what practical steps would you give them?
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B
That's just him just showing me that I'm going to do so much and you're just going to have to sit in the passenger seat. I'm just going to have to take over. No matter where you are, God has called you on purpose, for a purpose. This is funny because I went to University of Alabama. We were very involved in the SEC world.
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A
She is an Alabama girl. It's okay. We can still be friends. What's up guys? Welcome back to another episode of Stay True podcast. I'm your host Madison Pruitt Trout and I am in Dallas, Texas. This with a very special guest. I'm so excited because this is actually our first time meeting. This is Reese Weaver Almond. I'm making sure I'm saying that right. She is newly married so I'm trying to, you know, I, I my husband always gets offended when Trout gets left out and everyone's like, are you Maddie Pruitt? Are you Maddie Pruitt? So I'm like, I gotta show some respect.
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B
You're married.
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A
You're a newly married woman. We love that, but Reese is a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. She was on the Netflix show America's Son, Sweetheart about the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, which I just confessed her that I've not seen. But now I want to go watch it. I got to go support you and go watch you. But I have just heard from so many people and just kind of from afar have seen you be such a bright light in a secular space and it's just so encouraging. I feel so kindred in spirit with you in that way of being on TV and being in, you know, secular, high pressured environments and you sticking true and staying true to the truth and what is valuable to you is just so beautiful. So I'm so excited for you to.
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B
Come on Stay True. Oh my gosh, I'm so honored. First and foremost, when this opportunity presented itself, I was so giddy, low key, fangirling. I was like, there's no way. Lord, you're so cool. So seriously, thank you so much for having me.
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A
I'm so pumped and I can't wait to just like pick your brains about all the things because I just have so many questions. And I'm so excited just to learn more about you, but I'd love to hear you your story and how you came to know Jesus, but also how you started getting involved with the Dallas Cowboys.
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B
Yeah, okay. So I was raised in a Christian home. My grandfather was the preacher, so I was the granddaughter that was always passed around to any. Anyone in the church that was like, okay, I'll hold her now. So was super fortunate enough to been raised in a Christian home. I found Jesus at a very young age at 6 years old and just really have walked so deeply and, and rooted in my faith throughout. Just like dance and my family and friends and community and all sorts of things. But middle school, I think that was the time where, yes, I was saved. But there's a difference when you start to mature and you start to know a little bit more just about who Jesus is and his character. And there were some times in middle school where I felt like I needed to really press into him and that's. I heard him and saw him the most. Yeah, I mean I went to. I'm born and raised from Jacksonville, Florida and was. Was raised with two other brothers, so they played ball. But I also went to a performing arts middle in high school. So I wasn't doing your regular like cheering on the sidelines Friday night football games. I was cheering on. This is funny because I went to University of Alabama, but my dad raised me as A Texas A and M Maggie. And so we were very involved in the SEC world.
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A
She is an Alabama girl. It's okay, we can still be friends. I, I know her husband came in and had an Alabama. He did.
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B
And if you know will, you know, that's definitely a will move.
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A
I was like, dang it, I should have worn my Auburn University hat.
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B
You should have, you should have. Hey, one of my main of honors went to Auburn, so. Oh, perfect.
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A
This can work.
- [05:14]
B
Yeah, this will work, I promise. But yeah, I mean, just all throughout dance, I knew that I had something. When you get older, you start to realize, okay, like, you know, if you walk with Christ, you know that like he gives spiritual gifts and physical abilities and strengths and weaknesses and all sorts of things. But I knew dance was something more than just a extracurricular activity I love to do outside of school. I wanted to do it for him. And I feel like the motto I've lived by is just dancing for an audience of one. And I've, I mean, gosh, dance is my passion. And so went to arts high school and that's where I was really. I mean, bun head. I was dancing non stop. Went to college and took a different route. A lot of my friends went more of the conservatory route. So like your classical technique as a dancer. So you're modern and like point and all of those more conservatory, I guess, like genres. And I was like, you know what, I'm gonna cheer on the Crimson Tide. And so I was definitely a little bit of an oddball with my, my other friends. But yeah, I went to Bama. I best four years of my life. College just truly was the best four years. You learn, you grow, you fail, you win, you lose. Like just so many great, valuable life lessons throughout school.
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A
And you were like really following Jesus at this point?
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B
Yes, yes.
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A
Where did you go to church there?
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B
Yeah, so I went to Valley View Baptist Church. Okay, fun fact, my husband, he was the student minister intern and long story short, but him and the student minister had known each other since Will was 8th grade middle schooler. And so when he went off to school, Taylor is the student minister there and he was like, hey, I need an internal. And so Will became his intern and went. And once we started dating, I visited Valley View and just fell in love with it, the people and the community there and then now made it out to Dallas. And honestly, this dream didn't come up about until my sophomore year. So this was the year going into after the pandemic where everything was hybrid. We didn't really know what life was going to look like. I think I did one football game in the stands and two basketball games. And, you know how many basketball games and, you know how many football games happen within a year. And so very odd, very strange, but a lot of thinking. I was thinking about, like, what the Lord had next and what was in store. I wanted to just prep and plan with the time given that I had. And I went to the Rose bowl, which at and T Stadium, where the Cowboys play, usually hosts the Cotton Bowl. But this year, because it was hybrid or not hybrid, but it was Covid and everyone was still trying to figure out how they were going to let fans in AT&T hosted the Rose Bowl. And so Alabama and Notre Dame played that game. And so I attended. And that was my first time at the stadium. I was blown away. And this had nothing to do with NFL, but I looked at the. At the turf, and I was like, I'm going to be a Dallas Cowboys shooter. Wow. I want to do this. And my parents were, like, the most supportive people ever. We're kind of taken back because they were like, wait, we're here to, like, cheer on Alabama. Why? Dallas Cowboys, Steelers, you know? And so I knew I wanted to pursue a professional career in dance, but I just didn't know what that looked like, what avenue to take. And the Lord was calling me to do dcc. I love the community aspect and the service behind it, and so that's what drew me to the Cowboys.
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A
Wow, that is so crazy. You just, like, had that feeling, and you just were like, I'm going to pursue this. Was it a hard. I. And people are probably gonna laugh at me because I haven't watched the show, but is it a. I'm obviously assuming it is really, really hard to become a cheerleader. How was that process like, once you were like, I want to pursue this. What was that process like for you in pursuing becoming a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader?
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B
Yeah, so I had to kind of be careful because I didn't want to waste the remaining of, like, my two years at Alabama. I wanted to make sure I soaked in every moment and enjoyed it and not get too ahead of myself because nothing's promised. So I didn't really know if was even in store for me. I just wanted to pursue it. But probably my senior year of college, I really started to try to get all my ducks in a row and really work on the technique behind specifically the Cowboys. NFL style is very different in itself, so I really needed to get more familiar with it. But I feel like, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have such a unique style. And so I really needed to start working and like, some prep classes. They offer a prep intensive in February that I attended, and that was just a good way for me to one rip off the banded because it's such an intimidating atmosphere. Yeah. But then to meet some people, watch actual Dallas Cowboys cheelers in front of me and just try to, like, follow them and their mold and how they dance and move their bodies and yeah, senior year with trying to enjoy every moment because senior year is so special and sentimental. I also, in the back of my head was like, okay, on the side. I'm gonna work really hard for this goal. But, yeah, crazy enough, I got engaged about two, three weeks after I graduated. And then I submitted my first round auditions, which there's three rounds to make it to the finals of the Dallas Cowboys Shielders auditions. Like, process. And it was just a lot happening in that time span, but a lot of hard work and a lot of trusting in the Lord's plan, because I had no idea what he was doing.
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A
Totally, totally. And how was it you kind of alluded to this of just, like, it can be an intimidating atmosphere. How was it stepping into that? And how were you able to stay confident in an environment where it would have been easy to begin comparing yourself or getting insecure or trying to even, like, be something that you're not? How were you able to be confident in that? And even, like, to this day, like, how do you remain confident in an environment like that?
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B
I feel like the Lord has opened so many doors for me to just one absorb as much as I can. I feel like every single opportunity that he has presented, I've had to learn that, okay, if he's opened the door, I'm called and I'm there on purpose, for a purpose. No matter what that looks like, whether it's uncomfortable, whether it feels good, I just know that it's from him and I have to remain confident and trust him in that. And then with the Dallas Cowboys, yes, it is such an intimidating environment. You're surrounded by these beautiful, so sweet, talented, amazing, smart women. And you look at yourself and you're like, why am I here? You know? But I had to remain confident knowing that, like, I had such peace about this dream that no matter if I got it or if I didn't, I knew that I had to go through this process. And I didn't know what that looked like at the time, But I'm just so grateful for the amount of people who've poured into me and everyone who just supported me along the way because sometimes people don't get that while they're trying to dream and fight for something. But I have to be confident in one my abilities, but confident in the Lord. I always am. Like, I have to have God's confidence. Like that's the only way to get me through anything.
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A
Totally, totally.
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B
But I knew, like it was just such a peaceful thing about auditioning that no matter what happened, I had confidence knowing that he had me where I needed to be. But to this day, I have 36 best friends. And yes, like I said, it can be intimidating. But at the same time, we're all walking through this together and it's such a unique journey and process. And to be able to say I was a Dallas cowboy shielder with a very select few group of women is so special, so unique. And I think we all feel like that sometimes when we feel like low self esteem or we don't feel as confident in ourselves and we sit back and think about, you know, what if I'm feeling like this, the girl next to me probably feels like this. But it's so. It's way easier to celebrate someone else than it is yourself. And we all do that for each other. So everyone just naturally and organically fills each other's cups up. So I'm just so grateful that I have sisters and I can just always hear truth from them of who I am and whose I am. And they're just constantly reminding me that and building my confidence. And that's kind of how it looks to this day of just remaining confident and present and trusting him and thanking him for the people he's placed in my life.
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A
Gosh, that's so good. Because I feel like environments like this, it's usually not that. Yeah, usually I feel like an environment like the cowboys or any, I mean dance team, cheer team, bachelor, reality, whatever like environment it is. It's. It's normally very easy to compare and compete. That's so interesting that you guys are so. And what a blessing it is that you guys are so celebratory of each other and just honor one another and encourage one another. Would you say most of them are believers?
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B
Yeah, I would say we have. Majority of the team are. And we have a Bible study too, which it's so sweet for just all, all faces to come.
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A
Yeah.
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B
And no matter where you are in your journey, like we're just there to be friends and to have a community and to be able to share the gospel but do it in Such a sweet and natural way rather than being pushy because everyone's walk is different. We're just there along the way because we're called to do that. But I would say that majority are. Yeah. I mean, I'm just so grateful for even the girls that are a year above me or two years above me, who serve as big sisters, not only teammates, but big sisters and sisters in Christ, discipling me along the way.
- [15:18]
A
Yeah, that's so good. What has it been like for you being in a more like secular space, even though you've been so blessed to have girls around you who are like minded and cheering you on? You know, the dance world and the cheerleader world and the NFL world is definitely more secular. Netflix, it's all more secular. I understand from my background with being on the Bachelor what it's like being in such a secular space. How has that been for you? And how have you been able to stay true and stand firm in a secular environment?
- [15:53]
B
That's a good question because often I'm always asking God, like, what are you doing? I don't really know what's happening. But before I even made the team, my prayer constantly was, lord, use me. I don't know what that looks like. I, at this time I was in training camp, which is like a whole summer for us, training to become a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. So I had no idea what the next few weeks were going to look like for me my rookie season. But my prayer then and to this day is, lord, just use me, whatever that looks like. And he definitely said, buckle up because I'm gonna take that and I'm gonna run with it. But I have had such peace in that prayer, knowing that no matter where he takes me, however big or small, he is gonna use it for his glory and for my good too. And so I just have to be reminded that that prayer speaks volumes over any circumstance, any environment that I'm in, because he's going to do what he does best. But I will say the whole Netflix and filming process was really scary at first. And if our directors in my or film crew watched this, I think that they would probably giggle at me because I was so nervous. I did not know how it felt to be like Mike. And it's crazy. And being filmed, like there's so much that happens already when you're trying to make the team and then there's a camera in front of you and you're being miked. And then at the game when there's thousands of fans, you're just Kind of like I feel like I'm having an out of body experience. It's just so abnormal. And so I just had to really, really press into the Lord and just be like, okay, I'm gonna be Reese. And I hope that is transparent across the screen and hopefully people see me for who I am. And I'm not trying to show some different Reese on screen and in person. I'm trying to be who God has designed me to be. But as scary as that was, I still held onto that prayer of he's using me. And I don't know what that is yet, but I know it's for a purpose. And so I just have remained faithful. At least I've tried. And he's just done has exceeded abundantly given more than I could ever ask. Yeah.
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A
Praise the Lord.
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B
Yeah.
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A
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- [20:38]
B
That's so good. So you're speaking to a people pleaser at heart. And that has been something I have had to walk through with Christ and really day by day break that chain of feeling like I have to please others. I have grown some thick skin over the past two years. I've. I've had thick skin, but it's just really thick now. Yeah. And I feel like everything that I have done thus far, like the Lord has never let go of me. If he's brought me this far, he's not going to let go of me now. And so I just owe everything to him for it. I mean, I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for him and for even the trials and the valleys I had to go through and walk through because he brought me on the other side of it. And it's just my part of my testimony. So I think I just keep that mindset knowing that this is only for him and no one else. I know not everyone's going to like me, but the only approval that I need is, is from Christ. And at the end of the day, whatever anyone says about me, whatever they say, I can't take that to heaven. And the only real description of who I am comes from Christ. And that's the only thing that I'm going to see in heaven one day. And so I just have to remind myself in such a intimidating world that we live in too, especially on social media. Yeah. I have known that people are just not going to like you and that is okay with me. And I just have to remind that I'm a daughter of a king and that's like my motivation every single day. Yeah.
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A
Yeah. Have you received backlash and what has that been like on social Media, how have you handled that and what has that journey been like for you?
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B
Yeah, so I have been so fortunate to have received so many sweet things. I mean, every day I'm still overwhelmed with, like, gratitude, with the amount of people that support and love not only me, but my team and Will and our family and all of that. But there are some people out there that aren't just gonna believe in the things that you do and want to see you fail. And I think I actually recently had, I call my little five minute breakdowns because I'm like, okay, I got five minutes, I'm gonna let that sink and then I'm just gonna keep walking forward. But I recently had a few comments come up and they cross lines in such a personal way. And I had to be reminded that I just have to pray for them. Like, that might sound silly to some people because we just casually throw I'm gonna pray for you type of thing. But, like, genuinely, I had to sit down and be like, there's so much hurt in that person's heart for them to think of something and try to tear someone else down. And to me, that just shows you how. I mean, it's just a reminder of that. We live in a fallen and broken world. But when you see those comments, it just hurts my heart. Not just if you've crossed a line personally on, I guess, my level, but it's. You are so hurt personally that all I can do is just pray for you and hope that one someone walks into your life. Or if it's, if it's me, if it's someone else that they see Jesus in. But I just pray that they find salvation and know that, I mean, true friendship is in Jesus.
- [24:06]
A
Yeah, totally. And it is a sad reality that those that are the hardest to love need love the most. And the truth is, it's. What you're saying is so many people, I mean, my husband and I have been going through something recently where we've been dealing with just a lot of online opinions and criticism. And it's been really, really hard. And I love what you said of what the solution is, which is just to pray. Because what's easy to do is get defensive. What's easy to do is be angry or be offended. You know, like I. I even have to deal with that with myself, of when I see these comments, especially when they're targeted at people you love and care about or, you know, they involve people you love and care about, that is really, really hard. And I can be quick too. I'm such A justice oriented person that I can be so quick to be like, no, you don't understand, like, you've totally misunderst and, you know, become offended so easily and then my heart becomes hardened and calloused or then I fall into the, like, striving to prove, like, that's not who I am, that's not right. And I've just had to do the same thing. Of what you're encouraging those who listen, who deal with any type of pushback in what they feel called to do or in who they are, whether it's online or in person. And that's just to pray. And the Bible says it, like, pray for your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. And it says in Matthew 5, Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. Blessed are you. You were persecuted. And people say all kinds of hurtful things and make up false things about you. Which is what I've found in my own life is like some of it is just taken out of context and it's totally made up and run with and it's so hurtful. But then it's like if I just take a step back and realize that they're hurting and I'm just called to pray for them and let the Lord deal with the rest, there's such peace that it brings to your heart.
- [26:01]
B
It does, it does.
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A
You don't feel like the need to. I think when you keep the like, offended or like fighter spirit, then you just constantly walk around, like on edge and like looking for someone to say something or like you think people are always talking or thinking about you and it's just like, no, people are living their life and I've got to live mine and I've got to live it with an unoffended heart because it's too easy in this world to be offended, to be honest. But that's awesome. I loved your response to that and I'd love to even ask you too, to kind of get just like super real with. I just did a podcast, Will not just, but recently did a podcast on like body image, body shame and just, yeah, like image perception. I'm curious for you, what is your journey been like with body image and in being in an environment where whether, you know, we want to admit it or not, like your body is looked at, your body is talked about and that is a part of what you do. What is that like for you? And how do you keep a godly perspective with it?
- [27:12]
B
That's such a good question. Because I feel like a lot of people Ask me that question. And I always. It's. There is some sorts of like hesitancy to answering this because unfortunately our bodies can be looked at in such a negative light and, or negative way. And I have to constantly remind myself that one, this is an instrument and like you only get one of these. And so not only just, you know, having physical, like a good physical state and a good mental and emotional state, um, it's way more than what's on the inside than what's on the outside. And so whenever I think about putting on the uniform which is so iconic, I think about one. Yes. Does it boost my confidence and does it make me feel like a superwoman? Absolutely. But I hope that when little girls look at me, they don't see me from head to toe. They're seeing someone else. And I do feel like the Lord has called me to be in this world, in this role, to hopefully show him more. But I think speaking on the body image, I really struggled with that in middle school. I was a little bit more of a chubbier kid. I'm not gonna lie. No. And oh, for sure. But when I was, when I was growing up, I mean, as a three year old, I started dance. At three years old, you're shoved in front of a mirror. Great. Because I need to look at my teacher, make sure I'm doing the right things, learning the neck, you know, the right moves and technique and all that. But I feel like sometimes it can be such a detriment on your, just like your upbringing, not only in the dance world, but just as a human being. If you look in the mirror, you're seeing your reflection, but you're also seeing others reflection where you can see the enemy starting to twist things of like, oh, she has this. Don't you want that? Or don't you want to be better? Don't you want to have this? And it's. That's where of course we live and fall in a broken world. But that's where the enemy starts to attack. I know I've struggled with that. I know I start to compare myself to others and that's where I fall into this trap of, okay, there's only one of her and a one of me. And I have to remember that we're both called to, to whatever the Lord has called us to do. Yeah. But specifically in being in Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader 1, a girl named Claire. She also does a podcast. It's sweet as honey and she has such a good outlook on this. But we always talk about how we want People to see us for who we are and not just the girl in the uniform. We want them to see Reese and Claire and whoever else. And so I hope that anytime someone does csac, one, for me, I hope that they see Jesus, and then two, that they see that there's a girl who's, you know, has baggage and who is. Who has flaws and is broken and has the same struggles that anyone else does. But hopefully, that's just an authentic reminder of we're all trying to figure out this thing called life together. And we're not just put on this pedestal where we're still human beings that have to work hard and work hard day in and out of our physical physique, not just to be in a uniform, but to hopefully inspire other young girls to live a healthy lifestyle, because that's important.
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A
Yeah, I love that. I've met Claire, and she's amazing.
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B
She's so sweet.
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A
She's so awesome. And I love what you were speaking to, because I prayed a very similar prayer when I went on the Bachelor. And the prayer I just would continue to pray was, lord, I pray that they are so. Like, they see the spirit of God in me, and that. That is so attractive that they are so drawn to me. But it's not me. It's you and me.
- [31:14]
B
Right?
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A
And that was something. I continued to pray over and over again, whether it was, you know, for the producers or the girls or the Bachelor or those who are later gonna watch, because the spirit of God is attractive.
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B
Y.
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A
And everybody wants. I mean, the fruits of the spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness. Like, we. We are hungry for those things. Like, we want love. We want peace. We're desperate for peace. And so it's. It's really cool that when you are hungry for righteousness, when you are submitted to Jesus, when you are in the word, and when you just pray a prayer like, lord, use me, and I just want others to see you in me. He does that, and then he gives you the opportunity to be a light, which is what you have been and what you will continue being in this space. And it's. It's funny. Like, I don't know that I've been in a position yet where I've interviewed someone where I feel like. Like I've been in your shoes before, where people ask me similar things, and I'm. I'm so curious, like, how has it been with. And maybe the answer to this is, like, fantastic. But how has it been with the church and, like, Christians, has there been any backlash or pushback at all or has. Have you just felt so much love and support?
- [32:26]
B
Oh, that's a good question. Truthfully, I feel like I've seen more support than backlash. Yeah. And I think I've seen more people. This like, brings tears to my eyes because it's, it's not me, it's all Christ. But the amount of people that have come up to me and just look at me in the eyes and like I, I opened my Bible because of what you said and I'm like, well, it's not because of what I said, it's all him. But gosh, like, that's just the type of comments that I have seen. And I mean, that's literally just him. But I, I haven't experienced backlash. I'm sure that there are some people that probably don't agree of what I do and the things that I say, but I've been pretty blessed with some really amazing things.
- [33:14]
A
Yeah, praise God. It is a I don't know about you, but for me, hormone health has always felt like one of those things nobody really talks about until you're already struggling with it. One day you're totally fine and the next your skin flares up, you're exhausted, or you're just not feeling like yourself. For a while I thought that was my new normal, but it doesn't have to be. I've been trying something that's made a real difference for me and it's called Glow by Beam. It's a once daily hormone balancing blend for women that's helped me feel more energized, less bloated, and honestly, more me. Let me start by saying Beam is offering my listeners an amazing discount. Beam Cyber Sale is now open for early access for my listeners and it's their best offer of the year, but only for 48 hours and my listeners get up to 50 off. When you go to shopbeam.com staytrue and use code Stay True at checkout that breaks down to only $1.08 per day to revamp your health routine for the better. My skin is brighter, my mood is steadier, and even my hair and nails feel stronger. It's so easy to add to your routine. Just one scoop a day. It's caffeine free, vegan gluten free and only 10 calories. Plus it actually tastes amazing. I've been loving the raspberry flavor. Like I said earlier, for a limited time, Beam is offering my listeners up to 50 off Glow. Early access to their cyber sale is live and this price only lasts for the next 48 hours, just visit shop beam.com stay true and use code stay true at checkout. That's shop b a m.com stay true and don't forget to use code stay true for your exclusive discount of up to 50% off. All right you guys. When you look at the ingredient list on your current skin care products, does it look like a chemistry textbook? For years, the beauty industry has convinced us we need complex formulas to achieve healthy skin. But what if the real secret to nourish skin was so much simpler? That's why I was so interested when I found Nimi Skin Care. Nimi is doing something really radical. They've built one of their most popular lines around one of the most nutrient rich bioavailable ingredients on earth. Grass fed beef tallow. Tallow is a traditional ancestral secret. Its composition is incredibly similar to our own skin's natural oils, which means your skin actually recognizes it. It's not a chemical coating, it's real nourishment. Neeme has two products from their tallow line that you need to know about. First, for your daily hydration, there's the sunshine tallow cream. This is your go to moisturizer. It's light, absorbs quickly and it doesn't le with that greasy feeling. They've combined that incredible grass fed tallow with soothing aloe vera and jojoba oil. It is perfect for your face and body to create a strong, resilient skin barrier against the daily grind. For the problem areas, for the really dry cracked skin, they have the buzz and tallow balm. It's an ultra rich balm that uses tallow and beeswax to create a protective barrier. It locks in moisture and shields your skin from the elements, allowing it to heal. This is skincare the way it was meant to be. Simple, pure and powerfully effective. It's a focus on skin loving ingredients made right here in the USA. To order go to neemi skincare.com that's N I M I skincare.com explore their tallow line and use my code MADDIE10 at checkout to get 10 off your order. Crazy world that we live into. I think just that there's such pros and cons to it because it's what you're saying of like girls have come up to you saying I opened like praise God. That's just unbelievable. I've opened my bible for the first time because of something you said or because you've stayed true and you've stood firm and you have been obedient to what God had called you to do because you said yes. Like, you were faithful with your yes, and God's using it and blessing it, and that's just so incredible. And then it's like, on the flip side of that, we're opening ourselves up, you know, to opinions because we have a platform. And so there's going to be opinions and there's going to be thoughts, and sometimes that's really, really hard. What is like for you, your safe place? Like, if you're having a really hard day, you talked about having, you know, a little mental breakdown. I have those often. And it's like, what is your safe place? What do you do when you feel attacked or frustrated or misunderstood or you just, like, need the Lord, but you don't feel like you have, like, the strength maybe to even pray for yourself right now? It's like, what's your. What's. What do you run to? What do you do that's so good.
- [37:37]
B
One, I would say. I mean, the first person that came to mind is Will. I mean, he's. He's my safe space when it comes to just being able to, like, literally dump everything on him. And he's like, I'll take it.
- [37:51]
A
So.
- [37:52]
B
But when, like you said, when I just feel like I don't have the strength to even put together words of Lord, like, what is going on? It's, you know, of course I want to pray. Of course I want to open up my Bible and just feed truth. But something. I always say this, and this probably is the dancer speaking, but I listen to music. I listen to worship music. That is something that I guess has really soothed just my nervous system. Anytime I feel like everything is starting to pile up. Anytime I just turn on worship music, there's something that naturally, I guess as a dancer, like, my body just feels more, like, at peace. Because dance is a sign of worship. And sometimes, I mean, you don't have to do this if you're gonna dance, but most of the times you're dancing to music. And so I just feel like when music comes on, specifically worship music, like, my body can just. I'm, like, trying to even do it now, but, like, just literally, you're not watching.
- [38:54]
A
You need to be watching.
- [38:54]
B
She's dancing.
- [38:55]
A
Reese is over here dancing over here.
- [38:57]
B
Interpretive dancing. But it's. There's. I don't even know how to explain it. It's just physically in my body. I can feel, like, my heart rate going down. I can feel, you know, like, I can breathe a little bit better. And dance is all about breath and. And that is a whole different topic. But I feel like I can just really get regulated again and feel, like, his presence when my body is more relaxed, and I can just like, almost picture me and him dancing together and just, like, being more calm. But if I'm getting excited or I need to be excited, Forest Frank is definitely the person I'm about to, like, jam out to or Lecrae or NF or someone, you know, to get my spirits up. But, no, usually worship music is the first thing that I do to just at least, like, stop me physically from having, like, an attack, like a panic attack.
- [39:50]
A
Is that something you struggle with in the past, or is that something that maybe started once you started, like, being public and people having comments? Like, for me, I. I never had a panic attack, but I would say through coming off of the show, I was. I constantly felt, like, on edge and just angsty because it just felt like there were so many eyes and opinions and thoughts, and it was just, like, even for you, and being in a stadium, when there's quite literally tens of thousands of eyes and not to mention tv, like, yeah, what. What has that been like for you as far as, like, your mental health and anxiety and just. Yeah. Knowing that there's, like, so many eyes on you.
- [40:38]
B
Good question. I feel like before the show and before even just dcc, I experienced some levels of panic attacks, I would say, But, I mean, they've intensified by probably 10. Just considering that a lot of eyes are on me and I carry things with a lot of weight. I think that one, even if we didn't have a show, just being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, there's naturally already a lot of eyes on you and a lot of little girls that are looking up to you. And so that's a big responsibility that none of us take for granted. So then on top of internationally, the world looking at you and, you know, being on a platform that touches people outside of our country is just insane for me even saying out loud. But that has intensified, and I think that everyone's gonna have assumptions, and I think that's where. I mean, of course people are gonna have opinions. But the assumptions part, I think, is what kind of puts me a little bit more towards the edge, because I'm.
- [41:48]
A
Like, you don't know me.
- [41:50]
B
But I just have to be reminded that, again, I have to pray for those people and know that if they're gonna send hate, then why would I ever put my identity or worth in something that they're gonna say? And it's just gonna hurt. Yeah. I feel like now like my mental health has gotten to a much better state. I'm not gonna lie. When the show came out, I was all over the place, specifically last year, just because it was getting to be a full year of the show already being out. And I never felt too overwhelmed being in. Being pulled in different directions. But I felt the weight of being pulled in different directions, of just a lot of responsibility, which I know the Lord has equipped me for and has called me to do. But often I feel like I can't keep up and I'm like, whoa, Lord, like, are we sure this is the right thing for me to be doing? And obviously it is, but I think last year was really hard for me. But we have a completely different outlook this year, so.
- [42:58]
A
Well, praise God.
- [42:59]
B
Praise the Lord on that.
- [43:00]
A
Has there been, like a moment, whether it was for filming or just now, even in everyday like dcc, where your values and convictions kind of contradicted, or maybe the word is more like butted heads with what was asked of you? Have you had to have a moment like that where you've had to step away or kind of give pushback on something?
- [43:28]
B
Not necessarily. I feel like my pushback is spiritual warfare in a way, because the enemy is going to attack at any different angle corner he can when there's something good. And I always knew that, but really experienced that last year. And so I feel like my pushback has been just this constant fight with the enemy and the lies that he is trying to tell me and the things that he's trying to twist that are being used for good and he's trying to turn them for destruction. And I feel like that's kind of the only thing that I've had to battle with just kind of personally and spiritually. But like I said, just a completely different outlook. And that doesn't mean I'm completely changed. And one took a 180, but I am way better with having, like, a different perspective on things. And it could just be too like the Holy Spirit, his peace of just. I have so much more peace than I did last year of feeling like I was always in the unknown. And now I'm like, okay. He has walked me through probably the toughest season of my life. I know he's. He's there. He's so good. He's holding my hand throughout it all. And I'm grateful to look back and be like, even. Even in the darkest valleys, he was right there with me because he just showed me that there's so much more outside of it. So I love that.
- [44:59]
A
I just wrote a book on that very thing that you're talking about, of how to defeat the lies that can oftentimes feel like truth and how to actually live out the truth that leads to real freedom. Because there is such a pool. I feel like culturally with the lies we're being fed and then there's also a pull we feel internally with the lies that we're personally being fed and that we have to remind ourselves of. Like the biggest battle we're going to fight is in our mind. And it's like when the enemy gets a foothold of our mind, that's where it gets so dangerous. And so fighting that fight faithfully and with faith and with faith filled friends is so important. How are you able to fight the lies that come at you? Whether it be in what you're doing and in who you are or in your relationships? Like, what are some of the best practices you found to defeat the lies from the enemy and live out the truth that God promises?
- [46:01]
B
Yeah, so I have been trying to experiment with this because I feel like, I mean attacks are gonna, they're not gonna happen at 8am every single morning. It's always different. But now that we're getting into season, I've noticed that I'm doing my quiet time right before practice. Not that I'm going into, you know, like this negative, scary environment. It's just there's, I know a job to do and a responsibility to carry and that's when the enemy starts to attack. Our practices are in the evenings too. So you've had all day if you're practicing or you had an appearance or you're running around doing other errands or whatnot, the more you add up leading to practice. I've noticed that if I don't stop right before I go to practice that I'm going to carry everything that he's been telling me in a practice and that's my sign of worship. So it's, I need to stop right then and there so that I have a clean slate of knowing, okay, I have been called to do this and I don't need to take everything that he has tried to attack me with into something that he is using for good. But some practical things are. I know I said I listen to music, but that's constantly going. The Alexa is always going off. She is playing music all the time. But yeah, I, I like to do my quiet time, my devotional in the morning. Just like a quick sweet, get me going get my mind right. And then my quiet time, like, where I'm investing at least like 30 to 45 minutes of just, like, deep meditation on some piece of scripture or writing down notes or even just like, talking through things with Will and getting our minds just to go to that place of. Of wonder and just seeing our king and. And knowing more about his character before I do something that he's called me to do. Trying to think of some other things, too, that I've been doing. I think these are just, like, more human, like, but I am such a sensory person that, like, this is so silly. But, like, if it's a blanket or if it's like a piece of my clothing, like, something that is going to ground me. Whether it's like going outside. I love making floral arrangements. So cute. Whether it's like, I love that doing an arrangement and designing it. Something that is one rooting me and knowing, like, I go outside. The Lord created that I can soak in his presence by just seeing the world and then to working with flowers and the things that he created and he grew. Just getting my hands on something that I can work on. I know that sounds so silly and I feel like, very nature, but it's.
- [48:52]
A
Also girly over here, like, spiritual practice, too, because I think we can be when we stay just, like, in our minds and when we stay just, like, inside and, like, around screens and like, all these different things, it's like, it can be so easy to stay stuck in those head spaces that are unhealthy. But it's like I feel the same way. As soon as I, like, go on a walk or step outside or put my feet in the grass or like, like you're saying just, like, look at nature and, like, be in God's creation, it just immediately begins. And I think that's even, like, scientifically backed too. Like, it begins to just, like, rewire your. Absolutely. And I love what you're speaking about, the word of God, because I. I talk about in this podcast and in my book too, about, we have to start our day with the truth, because if we don't, like, the rest of the day, the world will be lying to us. The enemy is going to be coming after us. Sin is going to be at every corner, and temptation is going to be all around us. And so we have to be so grounded and rooted. And then have, like, touch points throughout your day. Like, find little moments to be like, okay, God, what are you speaking to me? Like, your servant is listening. I'm listening. What do you want to say, how can I encourage this person in front of how can I wash feet? How can I serve? How can I love and be the hands and feet of Jesus and just keeping like those touch points throughout the day? But for me, truly, like my favorite ways to connect with the Lord is through nature. And so even like finding those moments, even if it's like two or three minutes during the day, it's such a. I was having a hard day yesterday and I literally just like, even with my daughter in my hands just started like walking around outside and just like praying and crying. And I was like, lord, you're so good. And I started out like so feeling just sad and hopeless and like blush. And then I ended it with just like, man, we serve the King of kings and he has all authority and all power and I get to be his daughter. Like, it just totally flips your mindset and you feel so like renewed. And that's what Romans 12 talks about. Like, don't conform to the like pattern of this world. Don't conform to the way everybody else is thinking and going and hustling and perform like striving and proving and all these things. Like be transformed by the renewing of your mind and whatever that practice looks like for those of you who are listening, if that's a prayer closet, if that's taking a walk outside, if that's, you know, your coffee shop in the morning with your Bible open and journal like whatever that time is like for you. Like finding your secret place and your quiet moment with the Lord is so important. And then just find little ways to like touch point throughout the day is so huge. Stay true. Podcast is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try it@progressive.com Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states.
- [51:39]
B
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- [52:07]
A
Contact us I would love to hear how Marriage has been. And what that's been like, I don't even know. I know you said, like, you guys met, I guess, in college, right? So you've known each other for. And he's been there with you, like, through this whole process, which is so special and so cool. So what. What's marriage been like? And how. How is it for him, even with you being a cheerleader and in the spotlight and. And even, like, him feeling the weight of opinions of what people say, assumptions that people make. How has that been?
- [52:41]
B
Yeah. So l. And I met at school. In. Or in. In school. And what's so cool is we both weren't searching. It just kind of, like, organically happened. And, like, that's such a blessing. We had some mutual friends, and he was in a freshman Bible study class that I attended, or I attended the same church that he was with for, like, a hot second before he came to intern. And I was like, okay, like, we have some mutual friends. Like, we'll meet up. And just every encounter, like, after that, it was just so, so natural. And I think he just became my best friend so quickly that I knew that this was normal and this was right. It just felt like a gift from God. And so I really prayed for that, too. Is like, when I find my husband, like, lord, let it be the one. I. I just want to be able to walk through, like, really transformative types of, you know, I guess, journeys in my life with graduating, with moving off and figuring out what my life looked like afterwards. And I'm just grateful he's been a part of all of it. But dcc, I did not know that our world would just completely take a 180 after the show came out. And one, just me making the team. Then the show comes out, and, I mean, we're still now doing this going into my third season. I mean, our lives have just looked very different, very unexpected. I think senior Reese and Will at Alabama would laugh if anyone told them that this is how their years, their next few years were going to look like, because it's. It's only a God story and. Yeah, but a little timeline. We got married in April 2024, and exactly two months from our wedding date, the Netflix show premiered. And so not only were we just trying to figure out newlywed life, our lives just went upside down, in a good way, but in a way of, oh, my gosh, we have a lot to figure out. And so he has just been, I mean, as cheesy and as cliche as. This is my biggest cheerleader and in all, I mean, there's some really good days that we get to celebrate and enjoy the victories, and then there are some really, really low days. But at the end of those days, I'm so fortunate that I can walk hand in hand with someone who once supports me, never has stopped me from chasing and pursuing my dreams, and has been literally my biggest cheerleader throughout it all. I truly would not be where I am today, honestly, if it wasn't for just once his supportive nature and his servant's heart and always making sure that my needs are in front of his and. And also vice versa. But it's just been so fun to enjoy this life and learn along the way. With your best friend. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, this now is very different. I think with the comments and the things that we experience now, obviously, as a husband, they're there to protect and feel respected, but also just want to lead the family. And I think when he starts to see comments that are on me, it's like he gets in defensive mode. But we also have to remember we can't fuel the fire. We have to remember that, you know, we still want Jesus to be seen in the forefront in everything that we do. So it's just like a big learning process for all of us. Because I think the first thing that he wants to do is like, no, you're not gonna say that totally about. About us or about research or him, and. But I think that we have. We've prayed a lot, we've learned a lot, we've grown a lot, and we're just taking every day, day by day. That's all we're called to do.
- [56:41]
A
Yeah, totally. Hey, friends, it's Maddie. If you've read my new book, Dare to be True, I would love. Your reviews mean so much to me. They help more people discover the message and the heart behind this book. So if this book has encouraged you, challenged you, or reminded you to live with bold faith and honesty, would you just take a minute to leave a review? It truly makes such a difference. And if you haven't gotten my new book yet, Dare to be True, you can go and find it anywhere books are sold. Thank you so much for being a part of this journey and for daring to be true right alongside me. Well, thanks for sharing that. And I can so relate. And Will needs to get Grant's number and they need to call each other.
- [57:24]
B
Because they would understand.
- [57:27]
A
And it is. I mean, it's definitely no walk in the park, but I also think nothing worthwhile is. I think marriage, no matter where you are, no matter if your life is public or not public, like, there's going to be a target on your back. Because the enemy hates marriage. The enemy hates union. The enemy hates God's design. The enemy hates that two kingdom people have been brought together. And what, you know, God brings together, it says, let no man separate. And, you know, I believe, like, my husband and I are better together. And so, of course the enemy is going to try and come after that. And that's why it's so important to have your people. It's why it's so important to stay rooted in the truth, to be plugged into a local church, you know, and. And to, like I say, have your kingdom people around you. Because I think that this world is so quick to be like, oh, this isn't working for you anymore. Like, maybe you made the wrong decision. Like, you know, so those voices around you are so important that it's. You know, I have people in my life that if I vent about a fight that my husband and I are going through, they're like, okay, yeah, but I hear you talking about Grant, but, like, you need to own your stuff. Like. Like, you know, that's. That's your sin problem. And I'm like, oh, okay, all right. You're right. You are right. So will you pray for me, please? And it's. It's so important to have those people that will call you out and. And that'll just, like, yeah, help bring, like, your marriage, if you're doing it God's way. It's all about unity. And so it's not about, like, oh, whose side? It's like, no, have those people around you, having people that are going to push you closer together and, like, help with your unity and help you honor God and help you see it the way that God designed it, which you alluded to of just, like, love and respect. Like, I want people in my life that are like, well, you're not respecting your husband, so, yeah, maybe you don't feel as loved because you're not respecting him. And it's a cycle. And so I just think it's really cool that you're speaking to that. And I just continue to pray over you guys and over your marriage and, yeah, just protection and that the Lord would continue to use the both of you. But I would love to just close the podcast with any encouragement you have. Maybe for someone who is really struggling with confidence. You talked a lot about God, confidence and living for an audience of one. You also talked about your struggle with people pleasing And I just feel like there's just a lot of people listening that maybe are like, I want to be God confident. I want to have a God confidence. I want to live for the approval of God, and I don't want to live for the approval of people. But yet I find myself in this constant struggle and tug of war of I want people to like me and I want to fit in and I want to be good with everybody. And therefore I find myself striving or proving or performing. And so what would be your encouragement to someone who. Who wants to grow in their confidence? And what practical steps would you give them?
- [60:21]
B
Yeah, one. I always love to remind myself, like, I know we just talked about nature and how that, like, connects us with. With the Lord, but I love a good sunset, sunrise. I mean, that is the Lord's masterpiece. It right there in front of you. It's truly the most beautiful canvas he can. Could possibly create. Or just like any nature, I guess, scenery, it's just only he can do that. The same God who designed that called you and said that you are his and that you're better. And so when I feel like the world is against me and the enemy's trying to attack, he's trying to lie to me, I have to remember that something that looks so way more powerful and more beautiful in my eyes, in a nature way. God said, I created you and made you way better than that. Like, you are mine and My creation is you. I made you perfectly the way that you are. And I. I just have to remind myself of that constantly, of knowing that I can find my confidence in him because he said they needed you and they needed you, and they needed you, and that's why you're here on Earth. Another thing too, is just no matter where you are, God has called you on purpose, for a purpose. It could be being a, I don't know, student intern or a teacher's assistant. You could be a babysitter, you could be a puppysitter, whatever it is. You could be a Dallas coverage shooter. Whatever it is. He has called you on purpose, for purpose. And you can know and trust in his plan, knowing that one it's going to. He's gonna get the glory for it, but it's gonna be for your good too. He's not just gonna leave you. He promises that he's gonna. He promises that there will be trials and tribulations, but his promise is that he'll never leave you in that. And so you can always remain confident in. In him and his promises. And then I always want to encourage people, never settle for a small dream, always dream bigger, bigger and bigger because that's what God has called you to do on this earth. Obviously this is a temporary home, but while we're here, might as well dream the biggest and then watch God do the rest. I know that's a testament to my story and just things that he's done in my life. 10 year old Reese would be amazed at what is going on and think that this is the coolest thing ever. But also 10 year old Reese was never afraid to dream big. And I think that's just him just showing me that I'm gonna do so much and you're just gonna have to sit in the passenger seat. I'm just gonna have to take over.
- [63:23]
A
That's so beautiful. I love that so much. Because it's so easy when things don't work out in the timeline or like the way that we thought it would, to lose sight of that and to stop dreaming and to stop hoping. It can be easy to resort to a place of just wanting to have no expectations and no hope at all. So then our dreams don't get crushed or don't align like we thought they would. But my dad always spoke over me that I was his little dreamer and he always encouraged me to dream and my parents, parents always encouraged me to dream. And that has been such a big part of my story too. And, and two, like I love the verse that's like, you know, the Lord will give you the desires of your heart. And I, when I think about that, I've come so far in my understanding of that verse because it starts with, when you delight yourself in him, he will give you the desires of your heart. And I've learned that when I make him my everything, everything else takes care of itself. So when I make him my greatest desire, those dreams, those hopes, the next steps, the. It all just, it just works out. And whether like I thought it was going to work out or different than I thought it was going to work out and it's for my good and his glory. And I've seen that happen. And even walking through really hard seasons, I've seen what the enemy meant for harm. God turn it around and use it for good. And even in something I'm currently walking through, I've reminded myself of that of like the Lord is going to use this for good. Like he's going to Romans 8, 28, it he's going to Genesis 50:20 and he's going to use what the enemy meant for harm. And he's going to turn this around for good, for the saving of many lives and for people to come to know him in a greater way. And I love that you were just speaking to. We were all made on purpose and for a purpose. And the reality is, is that those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, like, that purpose is so much bigger than ourselves. And so everything that we're attached to, it's like we're attached to something so much bigger, which in a way, is just so. So freeing and hopeful that it's not up to us or sustained by us. Like, I get to have so much peace in my heart that I'm like, man, if he called me to it, he's gonna bring me through it and he's gonna sustain me through it, because I can't do this on my own. So every day I'm like, lord, help.
- [65:37]
B
I really need you. I really need you. Literally, help.
- [65:41]
A
But that's so beautiful. And, yeah, just an encouragement to everyone. Listening, listening. It's been so encouraging for me to just remind myself daily of what Reese was saying of. I am made in the image of God and out of everything God created that he calls beautiful. Because every good and perfect gift comes from him. As James 1:17 tells us, Every good and perfect gift comes from Him. But he calls us, Ephesians 210, his masterpiece. And I love that. That's what you're saying is like, we are his best work, and he's made a lot of beautiful things. And he calls us his best art piece. You walk into a gallery and he's like, look, there's a lot of pretty paintings. But my best work, you're the best one. And I love that. It's. It's so. It's so beautiful. Because when you know whose you are, you'll know who you are. When you know who you belong to, you don't have to, you know, live your life in such a way that you're longing for that approval and affirmation in other people. You get to just live freely, knowing, no, I've already accepted that and received that from my Heavenly Father. And there's such security in that and hope in that. And so for those of you listening who maybe it hasn't even been your story up until to this point, like, your identity is felt shattered, broken, confusing, or just unstable. Like, one day it feels good, and one day it feels confused. And I just want to encourage you. Like, for me, my whole life changed when I was like, lord, I'm gonna let you tell me who I am and not leave it into the hands of other people who honestly don't even know who they are. I'm gonna instead say my creator and the one who calls me his masterpiece and the one who says I'm made in his image, I'm gonna let him tell me who I am and continually go back to him. And as Reese and I have been talking like the importance of being in the word of God daily to remind yourself and starting your day with the truth. Because lies are going to come against you, whether it be for your identity, your purpose, your relationships. And so making sure that you're in the truth in order to stay true has been a game changer for me. But I'm just so grateful that you came on this podcast and that you shared your story and your wisdom with us. Yes, it's such a joy just getting to meet you and learn from you from afar. I will just include her social media profile so that you guys can go and follow her and check her out and just continue to see the light that she is in the space that God is using her. So thank you so much for coming on. Thank you for having me. This was so fun. But as always guys, be sure to stay you stay true. We love you. Marketing is hard, but I'll tell you a little secret. It doesn't have to be. Let me point something out. You're listening to a podcast right now and it's great. You love the host. You seek it out and download it. You listen to it while driving, working out, cooking, even going to the bathroom. Podcasts are a pretty close companion. And this is a podcast ad. Did I get your attention? You can reach great listeners like yourself with podcast advertising from Libsyn Ads. Choose from hundreds of top podcasts offering host endorsements or run a pre produced ad like this one across thousands of shows. To reach your target audience in their favorite podcasts with Libsyn ads, go to Libsynads.com that's L I B S Y N ads.com today.