There was a time when I worried about what people thought of me.

Why I was quiet some days.
Why I seemed stronger on some days than others.
Why I talked about God so much.
Why I held onto hope when life gave me every reason not to.

The truth is, life changes you.

Loss changes you.
Grief changes you.
Heartbreak changes you.
The battles no one sees changes you.

Over the years, I have learned that healing is not always loud. Sometimes it happens in small prayers whispered through tears. Sometimes it happens when you choose to get out of bed and keep going. Sometimes it happens when you trust God even when you do not understand what He is doing.

I am not the same person I was ten years ago. I am not even the same person I was last month and I am not supposed to be.

The difficult seasons taught me compassion.
The painful seasons taught me strength.
The uncertain seasons taught me faith.
When I was at my weakest masks of others fell off.

If people wonder what happened to me, the answer is simple.

Life happened.
God stayed.
And somehow, I am still growing.