on the LEAUX.

during the past five years, faith has been something i have profoundly struggled with. faith in a higher power, faith in others, faith in myself…at one point, i had none of it. no faith in anything or anyone. after moving back home four years ago, i began attending church services again. at first, i only went because my family went. eventually, however, i came to crave the connections and community i had there. last saturday, i spoke to a church full of ladies about how i came to be standing in front of them after years of struggling with my faith and myself. it made me realize a couple of things:

1. god’s timing is flawless. i felt compelled to speak at saturday’s event because i knew i had a story to share, and he let me know that it was time to share it.
2. stories are meant for sharing. therefore, it’s past time to relaunch on the LEAUX, still focusing on the mental wellness of black women and girls, but doing so by sharing the stories of myself and others who are navigating life while living with mental struggles.
3. there is always beauty to be found in imperfection. religion is flawed, because the people who practice it are flawed. BUT, within this imperfect entity, i am encouraged by a community of people who care deeply about and constantly encourage me in my journey of spiritual growth.

to this post, i am attaching the audio of the speech i gave at Westside Church of Christ’s 5th Annual Ladies Day, on Saturday, 1.20.18, in Crossett, AR. i will also share a PDF of the transcript below, since the audio is unintelligible in a few places. i hope that, if you choose to listen, you will be encouraged to one day share your story, because you never know who needs to hear it.

❤️ lauren dee.

PS: shoutout to my beautiful mother for the introduction. love that woman.

TRANSCRIPT:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1W5RXiZDUa__9iAtQrchSu85LIK60h_4S

AUDIO: