A Professional Encourager 

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I come from a long line of 1st's,  a rich heritage of people who refused to settle for the status quo. It is a lineage I am deeply proud of. My dad ( who picked it up from my granddad) used to say: 'If you can read and write, you don't need anyone to teach you'

 

As you can imagine, growing up in an environment like that, I became headstrong and proud. I felt like I should be able to resolve any issue without having to ask for help. Unfortunately, keeping up that charade was causing me to fall apart. I was insecure, manipulative and most of all a liar. My night times were a place of torment where night terrors were common place and sleep paralysis plagues my existence.

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Honestly, I feel like God had pity on me and heard a desperate cry for help from an unruly young woman. After almost converting to Islam, I had a dramatic encounter with the presence of God in a bar in the west end of Glasgow. I went to the bar for a good night with friends and left totally transformed. With time I found a church community who loved and disciplined 'the hell' out of me.

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It is a long story with countless ups, downs and 1 major rock bottom where I considered ending it all.

Despite the pain, I began to see that we are wired for love, created for community and are all called for a purpose.

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My story is typical of most of the people I meet. They are scared, harassed and yet choose to continue being silent. They don't know how to express that pain or who to. 

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I believe I am called to stir up the flames inside people. To remove the gag orders that say you must do this all by yourself. 

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I am here to be an encouragement. To lift people up until they surpass me.

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This journey is long and if we want to go far let's go together!

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Claudia

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encouragement

noun

1. the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.