I spotted her on the dock while waiting for the ferry to Mackinac Island to pull in, her gorgeous shoulder tattoo wooing me from afar, and was just delighted to see her again at the conference I was speaking at that weekend.
We have since dug toes into the grass together, watching our littles play in the pond beside my house, sharing tales of fear and forgiveness and freedom. This woman, with the chiseled arms and tender heart, has seen God work wonders as she’s placed the broken pieces of her story into His hands.
Meet Genna…
WHAT’S YOUR STORY, MORNING GLORY?
The first thing I think of (now) after being asked a question like this is, God is so good.
It’s been just over 7 years since my life did a complete 180. I look back now and am literally blown away by the unwavering redeeming grace of God. Long story short – I joined the Air Force right out of high school and experienced two cases of being raped about a year apart. Different locations, different people under different circumstances. After the first time I was so mad at God, I ran so fast and so far in the opposite direction…and then it happened again. Needless to say, I never wanted to look at a guy, let alone be close to a guy again.
And then…I met a girl and never had I felt so safe and loved. And from this came the most precious gift I have ever been given – my son who is now 5. He and I moved back home to MI when he was three, which was the first time I’ve ever heard God audibly speak to me. Calling me home to my family, wanting me back in His arms.
And now, here I am. Happily married to one amazing man who God placed perfectly into my life. There was so much that had to happen – spiritually/mentally/emotionally – for it to work but it did, and God was there through it all. And Bill was there through it all.
WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER ABOUT YOURSELF DURING THIS TIME?
I discovered that God gave us the power of forgiveness for a reason. Everyone sins, the effects of other people’s sinful decisions may effect you more, but they need just as much forgiveness as I/we do. I discovered that the longer I blamed them and gripped onto being a victim, the worse I felt. The minute I gave the situation to God and forgave them, the minute some pretty heavy chains were broken. I think it took so long because I thought forgiving them would make what they did okay – forgiveness has nothing to do with justifying their actions.
Forgiveness, at least to me, is empowering myself to recognize the pain without letting it define me any longer, and being enabled to heal and move on. Also, if we choose not to forgive, Christ will not forgive us – Matthew 6:14-15…pretty powerful stuff.
WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER ABOUT GOD’S CHARACTER IN THE PROCESS?
The love and the patience and the redemption I have felt from the King of the Universe is mind blowing and yet that’s just who he is. Thinking about how much I have grown in my relationship with God because of what I experienced – He is everything that he says he is and He does everything He says He will do. No matter how disgusting I feel He says that I am precious and that is the truth. He speaks truth. He is love, and if He can love me for who I am than I get to love me too.
HOW DID IT IMPACT OR CLARIFY YOUR MISSION AND PURPOSE?
I know for a fact that there was a reason why I went through what I did. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t have experienced those things. I know if I let Him, God will use my story to bring people out of the dark and into the light. I recently came into the light with my story not that long ago and wow, It SUCKED. But holy freedom getting to the other side.
All that to say – I recently graduated with a Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate as well as completed CrossFit’s Level 1 Coaching course. Which brings me to where I am now, on a journey to open up my own CrossFit. I want to help people love themselves for who they are. I want them to feel strong and confident and there is no way I have the strength to do that if I didn’t go on that journey myself.
IF YOU COULD SUM UP YOUR EXPERIENCE IN A SINGLE SENTENCE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
God’s will for your life, for my life, is SO much larger than you will be able to wrap your head around so be patient, put your big girl panties on and trudge through the muck because God has a plan to use you, you just have to be willing.
IS THERE A FAVORITE SCRIPTURE YOU’VE CLUNG TO?
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” I love it so much I got it tattooed on my forearm.
AND – Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. For me that is Jesus and CrossFit!!
WHAT ROLE DOES MENTORSHIP PLAY IN YOUR LIFE, AND HOW HAS IT IMPACTED YOU?
Everyone needs a mentor…or two. I needed a sound of reason and a shoulder to cry on who has been through the junk and come out on the other side. I needed to see that, to know that it was possible but only through pressing into Jesus. Someone to teach me, guide me, pray for me and also more recently someone to train me to train others. The maturity that has come to fruition in my faith has had much to do with the mentorship I receive..
WHAT ARE TWO THINGS YOU’RE LOVING RIGHT NOW?
Podcasts! The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey and of course The Penduka Podcast, to name just a couple.
Coffee flavored peanut M&M’s…my guilty pleasure.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING A PIECE OF YOUR STORY WITH US, GENNA!
Keep a look out for Concrete Haven CrossFit, coming soon to the Alma area.
