Friday, January 6, 2017

Recognizing Beauty in the Brokenness: K-LOVE Radio Interview

It's no secret that I'm a big dreamer...A "God-sized dreamer".

One of my many God-sized dreams was to share my story with K-LOVE Radio...And today that dream became a God-sized reality.

When I first became a meme and went viral to over 30 million people - all because of my physical difference (a port wine stain birthmark - and Sturge-Weber Syndrome), I struggled; and I'm sure reading over 30,000 comments from total strangers probably didn't help much.

Pain overwhelmed my heart, and I had some incredibly dark days.  Many days I knew God would create something beautiful from the ugly situation I found myself in.  But there were days where I could only focus on the cracks that temporarily shattered my heart.

Although my heart has done a lot of healing, I still vividly remember the initial struggle.  I remember the pain, I remember how my journey took a drastic change two years ago.

Every time God takes one of my dreams and turns it into reality, I can't help but feel all the emotions...especially the sense of being overwhelmed with his love and purpose for my life.

The Japanese culture has a special tradition when certain things break...and while many may think this is a stretch - I feel God's response to our broken hearts is similar to their tradition.

When items break in Japan, "instead of tossing these pieces in the trash, some craftsmen practice the 500-year-old art of kintsugi, or 'golden joinery', which is a method of restoring a broken piece with a lacquer that is mixed with gold, silver, or platinum."

They do this to celebrate that items history, its story, its worth.  Even though it breaks, they still see it's value, adding even more value to the cracks with gold or silver - while most cultures have a tendency to just throw the broken things out.

But I feel God reacts in a similar way to our brokenness, if we stay willing and allow him to do so.  He recognizes the beauty in our brokenness, and He honors it. While our brokenness and cracks often make us feel worthless and damaged, he can fill in our gaps with a valuable, irreplaceable, beauty - like the Japanese do with the broken items and gold.  We feel like our value is gone, but God's saying, "just you wait and see."

Being cyberbullied and mocked for my appearance was shattering.  Yet, there's no way I could have ever imagined all that He had planned for the two years to follow: having a key group of friends surround me and lift me back up, sharing the stage with Natalie Grant, interviewing with K-LOVE, going on the TD Jakes Show (which aired on OWN: Oprah Winfery Network), being interviewed by People Magazine, amongst many other things?  Wow...What beauty.

If you're reading this and find yourself in dark times, fumbling around to find a light switch - know that I am praying for you.  I pray you'll hold on tight, and stay willing and ready for God to use you and your story - as He fills your cracks and brokenness with golds and silvers.

K-LOVE is one of my all-time favorite radio stations that I grew up with, and they're doing some incredible things around the world. I hope that I can work with them in the future, as more doors begin to open.  (And trust me - I think 2017 is going to be a BIG year with BIG, beautiful things to come.)

It's always been my goal to "make a difference with my difference" - and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to do so with K-LOVE.

Thank you, K-LOVE, for the opportunity, and for creating some beauty with my on-going story.

Check out the article they've written about my story.  Also included is one of my videos, a link to my blog, and my interview with them is listed at the bottom:

http://www.klove.com/news/2017/01/06/god-turns-cyberbullying-into-a-platform-for-true-beauty/

The Travelin' Chick,
Crystal Hodges

Follow me on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.  You can also find me on Snapchat: crystal.hodges

76 comments:

  1. Nars, probably best known for the often-recommended blush that goes by the descriptive name of "Orgasm," tends to give its powder blushers risque names. justinrange.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. The question of truth, beauty, and goodness is one that has intrigued men for centuries. The pagan philosophers seek to identify that which is True, Good, and Beautiful. find this

    ReplyDelete
  3. if you don't have your own hair iron yet, it may be because of the notion that hair straighteners can do more harm to your tresses than good. The heat from the straightener can cause you to burn away your mane. mini flat iron amazon

    ReplyDelete
  4. One of those online journals that has left a profound effect on the hearts of the gathering of people.
    best epilator 2018

    ReplyDelete
  5. Additionally, center around your internal excellence. In the event that you enable your inward excellence to sparkle you will be more joyful and more beneficial, enabling you to accomplish your definitive objective of pulling in the ideal man!Tanoholic


    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for share. I learn lots of things in this post.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Speaking the word Confucius: - "Everything is beauty but everyone can not see it."7 day tattoo eyebrow pen

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beauty of truth, truth of truth, that is to know that you are on the ground, and everything you need to know.Botox for Hair

    ReplyDelete
  9. There is wealth, delight, enthusiasm, arousing quality and joy to be had in your wonderful life, and working with your own influence of beauty is a procedure for asserting significantly more.ash blonde hair dye

    ReplyDelete
  10. I found this is an informative and interesting post so i think so it is very useful and knowledgeable. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. Buy Dior Homme Now

    ReplyDelete
  11. thanks for this usefull article, waiting for this article like this again. https://www.choicestore.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Self-absorption results from having received so many compliments that a man believes himself extremely handsome.tondeuse barbe

    ReplyDelete
  13. There is plenitude, delight, enthusiasm, erotic nature and joy to be had in your beautiful life, and working with your own capacity of beauty is a procedure for guaranteeing significantly more. getbetterbeauty.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. we are very thankful to this post. we really appreciate you. please kindly share all type of post to us. thank you. swedish full body to body massage in delhi

    ReplyDelete
  15. An electric bike is perfect for you, if you want the freedom and benefits of cycling, but would like a little extra assistance. Modern electric bikes open up so many ...

    ReplyDelete
  16. When I first became a meme and went viral to over 30 million people - all because of my physical difference (a port wine stain birthmark - and Sturge-Weber Syndrome), I struggled; and I'm sure reading over 30,000 comments from total strangers probably didn't help much. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  17. The first thing you should know about e-bikes is that they're here to stay. Electric bike sales jumped by an incredible 95 percent between July 2016 and July ... Find Scopes, among other Hunting Optics, at Bass Pro Shops. Select from top brands like, Bushnell, Burris, Leupold, Nikon, Pursuit, Oculus and many more.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yet, beauty exists both autonomously and solely repudiating each definition that has been utilized to characterize it. Website

    ReplyDelete
  19. More solid the magnificence, more attractions it will have. Generally these individuals are given a ton of significance and benefit in the general public.
    Argan oil wholesale

    ReplyDelete
  20. Generally these appearances are of ladies in light of the fact that around the globe ladies are related with beauty more than men.vimeo.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. That is, in addition to countless shows and ads that glorify the perfect face and the stick figure. long island escorts

    ReplyDelete
  22. It truly is sad that organizations are permitted to make crummy skin creams and salves, publicize them as the following best thing, and pitch them to purchasers without any results by any means. jolie face cream

    ReplyDelete
  23. The spa could be a relation of thalassotherapy with the large distinction that in spa treatment, there are protocols of care. These are designed to attain a given result, like fitness, stopping smoking, thinness, etc., controlled by a doctor. The spa could be a rather more aesthetic, epicurean and non-medicalized approach to well-being, "Erwan Madec continues," Body massage in south delhi
    Body massage price in delhi

    ReplyDelete
  24. The massuer will apply oil on his or her body alongside customers body and will rub by setting the chest/bosoms, shoulders, legs and so forth everywhere throughout the customer's body. massage in noida

    ReplyDelete
  25. Fashion gems, otherwise called outfit gems, has been well known for a considerable length of time, and will keep on being.versace sale mens

    ReplyDelete
  26. My adoration for women is actually a rather innocent one if I am allowed to judge myselfinstabeauty cambridge mobile beauty therapists

    ReplyDelete
  27. Edges or layerings (alluded to as playmate's lines) in nails happen when nail development is uneven, for the most part due to disease or damage. Delicate buffing can limit edges. sabryna's blog

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great job for publishing such a beneficial web site. Your web log isn’t only useful but it is additionally really creative too. Bralux Sticky Bras

    ReplyDelete
  29. One of the things I hear from brides when they are first looking around for a wedding makeup artist is "I've never done this before, so I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do."makeup artist copenhagen

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for share a very informative post.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for every other informative site. The place else may
    I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect manner?
    I have a venture that I’m just now working on, and
    I’ve been on the look out for such information.

    buy iphone 11

    ReplyDelete
  32. As fashion patterns go back and forth, tastefulness and dressing admirably is immortal. Experts, ladies entrepreneurs, performers, superstars, and socialites, all offer a shared objective. good piercing places in toronto

    ReplyDelete

  33. For most it is an image of style and beauty and a fashion articulation to appear to be unique from the group.link

    ReplyDelete
  34. Numerous VIPs among which Sarah Jessica Parker and Katie Holmes have been approached to set up their customized shops so as to urge clients to accomplish something very similar. KPOP NATION

    ReplyDelete
  35. The online life stage Pinterest is a fantastic hotspot for well, anything you'd ever need to know. Raff Man and Van

    ReplyDelete
  36. While a great many people need to select a tattoo that will be an impression of their character, there are numerous to look over, which can settle on an official conclusion an extreme one. permanent makeup toronto

    ReplyDelete
  37. In this way,Hair stylist in case you will be occupied at work you wouldn't have the option to deal with certain hair styles

    ReplyDelete
  38. I genuinely trust that you discovered important data inside the article. I'm John Tahan from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, an advanced showcasing venture pioneer authority helping organizations develop their business on the web. Basically, I assist you with getting more customers.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful! Fannie V Garcia Blog

    ReplyDelete
  40. It's a pity that others find beauty very important. It is even frightening to have such notion because physical beauty in only temporary. richmond hill homes for sale

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow, What a Excellent post. I really found this to much informatics. It is what i was searching for.I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing such type of info.Thanks hire a freelance illustrator

    ReplyDelete
  42. I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. marcasite brooch vintage

    ReplyDelete
  43. wonderful
    https://www.caringoflife.com/ingredients-that-cause-acne/

    ReplyDelete