WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:09.690 --> 00:00:13.110 Speaker 5: Welcome everyone to Faith and Purpose podcast. 00:00:13.870 --> 00:00:19.050 Each episode of this podcast contains the personal testimony of an ordinary person 00:00:19.069 --> 00:00:21.810 transformed by an extraordinary God. 00:00:22.480 --> 00:00:25.640 My name is Kaylin and I'm here to introduce this podcast 00:00:25.650 --> 00:00:27.180 for my friend Jesse Duke. 00:00:27.790 --> 00:00:33.259 Jesse is a husband, father, author, life recovery guide, lay counselor, 00:00:33.740 --> 00:00:37.820 and small group leader, but his most important role is disciple. 00:00:38.260 --> 00:00:39.710 As a disciple of Jesus. 00:00:40.190 --> 00:00:44.280 Jesse created this podcast to help other believers tell their faith stories. 00:00:44.830 --> 00:00:48.629 We'll be hearing the personal testimonies of all sorts of people 00:00:48.629 --> 00:00:52.560 who have one thing in common, Jesus has transformed their lives. 00:00:53.465 --> 00:00:57.555 Jesus used parables because he created us to learn best through story. 00:00:57.985 --> 00:01:02.775 And as we listen to how God has worked in others lives, we find encouragement 00:01:02.785 --> 00:01:05.075 and inspiration for our own faith walk. 00:01:05.564 --> 00:01:09.935 Whether you are already a believer or just a curious seeker, we believe that 00:01:09.955 --> 00:01:14.244 as you listen to these stories, you will be encouraged on your own faith journey. 00:01:14.544 --> 00:01:18.954 We are sure that God can speak to you through one of these episodes and that you 00:01:18.954 --> 00:01:23.044 will see that our Heavenly Father truly works all things together for our good. 00:01:23.380 --> 00:01:25.290 When we simply love and trust him. 00:01:25.990 --> 00:01:29.360 If you are currently going through a trial, we believe that you will come 00:01:29.360 --> 00:01:34.150 to see that your troubles, heartbreaks, and failures are not gravestones, but 00:01:34.180 --> 00:01:36.750 stepping stones into new life in Christ. 00:01:37.180 --> 00:01:39.170 Here's Jesse with today's guest. 00:01:51.286 --> 00:01:54.946 MacBook Air Microphone-1: Welcome everyone to faith and purpose podcast. 00:01:55.576 --> 00:01:56.626 I'm Jesse Duke. 00:01:56.896 --> 00:02:01.996 And today I'm very excited to have my friend Gigi Butler here to tell her story. 00:02:02.896 --> 00:02:03.916 How are you doing today? 00:02:04.006 --> 00:02:04.546 GG. 00:02:05.730 --> 00:02:06.530 Speaker 2: Doing really good. 00:02:06.590 --> 00:02:07.480 Thanks for having me. 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:10.490 MacBook Air Microphone-2: Well, I've been waiting for this day for a long 00:02:10.490 --> 00:02:12.290 time, and we're finally getting together. 00:02:13.160 --> 00:02:14.960 And I know you have a lot to share. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:16.640 So just start at the beginning. 00:02:17.330 --> 00:02:18.410 Tell us your story. 00:02:19.062 --> 00:02:25.622 Speaker 2: well, I was born in Oklahoma and I was born in a blizzard, which 00:02:25.632 --> 00:02:26.992 kind of makes sense for my age. 00:02:27.442 --> 00:02:28.792 Tire life going forward. 00:02:29.262 --> 00:02:33.032 And then we were, I was raised in California in a little desert town. 00:02:33.122 --> 00:02:36.382 Cause my dad got a job as a LA County fireman. 00:02:36.842 --> 00:02:42.592 And so we were raised in the high desert on a farm and my dad was a fireman, but 00:02:42.602 --> 00:02:44.992 he was also an amazing entrepreneur. 00:02:45.002 --> 00:02:46.032 he had the gift of faith. 00:02:46.062 --> 00:02:50.262 And so he was always trying different businesses and different jobs. 00:02:50.312 --> 00:02:52.112 and he failed at lots of them. 00:02:52.112 --> 00:02:57.117 But What it taught me at a very early age is that it was okay to fail. 00:02:57.687 --> 00:03:00.317 And even if you failed, you got your butt kicked. 00:03:00.687 --> 00:03:01.957 God was always with you. 00:03:01.957 --> 00:03:04.767 He always had your back and your family was there to pick you up. 00:03:05.247 --> 00:03:08.367 So growing up, I saw this. 00:03:08.432 --> 00:03:14.722 I never knew that people would be afraid to do something because I just did it. 00:03:15.102 --> 00:03:16.602 I was also gifted. 00:03:16.602 --> 00:03:20.772 I believe that God gives us certain gifts when we're born. 00:03:20.772 --> 00:03:25.702 And, he gave me the gift of faith and tenacity, the gift of mercy and patience. 00:03:25.702 --> 00:03:29.362 I'm still waiting on, but we can't have it all. 00:03:29.722 --> 00:03:34.902 so, Faith and tenacity is just definitely ingrained in my whole system. 00:03:34.972 --> 00:03:39.292 And that's how I've survived and thrived. 00:03:39.732 --> 00:03:45.992 so when I, at seven, I decided I wanted to be a country music singer, songwriter and 00:03:45.992 --> 00:03:50.732 moved to Nashville and sitting at dinner, I announced Hey, I just heard that latest 00:03:50.732 --> 00:03:53.772 Dolly Parton song, and that's amazing. 00:03:53.822 --> 00:03:55.182 And I'm moving to Nashville. 00:03:55.562 --> 00:04:01.322 And they were like, Okay, we're who, you know, because no one really in the family 00:04:01.322 --> 00:04:03.002 other than my grandpa played guitar. 00:04:03.432 --> 00:04:05.552 So we weren't raised musical. 00:04:05.742 --> 00:04:10.662 but being the type of people that they are with trying things and not being 00:04:10.662 --> 00:04:12.362 afraid, they were just like, okay. 00:04:12.672 --> 00:04:13.052 Wait a 00:04:13.052 --> 00:04:14.852 Speaker: minute, you said you were seven years old? 00:04:14.862 --> 00:04:15.312 Seven. 00:04:15.812 --> 00:04:16.042 Speaker 2: Okay. 00:04:16.042 --> 00:04:16.902 Yeah, seven. 00:04:17.802 --> 00:04:23.457 Seven, I knew what I wanted and that That was my identity and we'll get to, 00:04:23.927 --> 00:04:27.777 having your identity not in something and in someone, which is God, which 00:04:27.847 --> 00:04:32.147 that I always had God, but that didn't come into play until recently. 00:04:32.437 --> 00:04:36.717 So I, at seven, said, okay, that's what I'm going to do. 00:04:36.837 --> 00:04:41.267 So at seven, I started singing professionally, taking lessons and 00:04:41.267 --> 00:04:43.337 really working towards that goal. 00:04:43.367 --> 00:04:46.457 And then at 15, I decided to start a cleaning business, 00:04:46.517 --> 00:04:48.037 Gigi's Cleaning Company. 00:04:48.527 --> 00:04:52.317 And so that was just going to be my job that gave me freedom. 00:04:53.247 --> 00:04:55.997 And then age 15, I also started a band. 00:04:56.857 --> 00:05:02.167 And then at age 17, I started traveling, across different parts of California 00:05:02.537 --> 00:05:07.227 and singing and, still going to school, but school was never my thing. 00:05:07.247 --> 00:05:09.657 I had way too much energy and. 00:05:09.992 --> 00:05:11.872 I never fit in the school box. 00:05:12.212 --> 00:05:16.102 And I think a lot of entrepreneurs don't fit in the school box of how 00:05:16.102 --> 00:05:20.852 school is taught us to sit there, be still, think inside a box. 00:05:20.852 --> 00:05:23.332 And my mind has always been outside of box. 00:05:23.342 --> 00:05:28.232 So I've never, I felt school to me personally was torture. 00:05:28.762 --> 00:05:33.772 I hated it because I couldn't learn the way that they taught me. 00:05:33.932 --> 00:05:35.442 wanted to teach me. 00:05:35.942 --> 00:05:36.242 Speaker 4: And 00:05:36.242 --> 00:05:38.302 Speaker 2: I never, I was a total rebel on that. 00:05:38.312 --> 00:05:41.772 So I always had the plan of, I hate school. 00:05:41.802 --> 00:05:42.542 I'm leaving. 00:05:42.982 --> 00:05:44.312 I'm going to Nashville. 00:05:44.322 --> 00:05:49.522 So as soon as I graduated, I thank God I graduated high school. 00:05:49.762 --> 00:05:52.802 I went to college and it was like, this is not for me. 00:05:53.062 --> 00:05:58.572 So I moved to Canada and I traveled all across Canada and 00:05:58.572 --> 00:06:00.742 I sang in a band in Canada. 00:06:01.282 --> 00:06:03.252 And then I came back home and. 00:06:03.762 --> 00:06:08.652 Six months later, I moved to Nashville and I had 500 to my name. 00:06:08.672 --> 00:06:13.802 here comes the gift of faith, 500 to my name, knew no one, didn't have 00:06:13.802 --> 00:06:18.172 a place to live, didn't have a job, but I knew that God would provide. 00:06:18.502 --> 00:06:22.902 And my theory is, if he could provide for the unbelieving Israelites or the 00:06:22.902 --> 00:06:28.722 doubters, the Israelites and move those millions of people and cross that red sea, 00:06:29.032 --> 00:06:35.512 What could he do for me, just going to a different state, and trying something? 00:06:35.522 --> 00:06:39.882 So, that's where the gift of faith came, and it was shown 00:06:39.882 --> 00:06:41.682 the first time in my walk. 00:06:42.462 --> 00:06:44.822 And it's shown many other times, other than after that. 00:06:45.122 --> 00:06:49.012 So I got to Nashville, and worked at Red Lobster. 00:06:49.197 --> 00:06:53.387 For a little bit and then met lots of stars there. 00:06:53.387 --> 00:06:59.577 I met, Wynonna Judd, Naomi Judd, Tanya Tucker, Joe Diffie, George Jones. 00:06:59.577 --> 00:07:00.547 I waited on him. 00:07:00.547 --> 00:07:04.017 Uh, Steven Curtis Chapman, Brooks and Dunn. 00:07:04.047 --> 00:07:04.887 I mean, name it. 00:07:04.887 --> 00:07:07.137 They all went to red lobster, which go figure. 00:07:07.557 --> 00:07:11.997 But 20 something years ago down in Franklin, there was 00:07:11.997 --> 00:07:13.487 not a lot of places to eat. 00:07:13.517 --> 00:07:15.887 And so they would all come, come there and. 00:07:16.322 --> 00:07:21.392 So I learned a lot about, how the music went and I formed a 00:07:21.392 --> 00:07:25.302 band there and started singing at writer's nights and meeting people. 00:07:25.822 --> 00:07:29.522 And I started Gigi's Cleaning Company again during the day. 00:07:29.972 --> 00:07:37.042 And so that kind of kept me going and I just worked very hard at singing and 00:07:37.062 --> 00:07:39.502 I went to Vanderbilt and studied voice. 00:07:39.532 --> 00:07:41.142 And I just really. 00:07:41.707 --> 00:07:45.817 focused on my vocal ability and I sacrificed. 00:07:46.537 --> 00:07:53.787 Everything, including parts of my soul for the music industry and in the grace of God 00:07:53.787 --> 00:07:59.787 and knowing what I know now and how good God is, I think that he knew that I wasn't 00:07:59.787 --> 00:08:05.437 going to be able to become the person I needed to be if I was going to be famous. 00:08:06.057 --> 00:08:14.997 So he didn't let me and I'm glad, but at that point I wasn't glad. 00:08:15.592 --> 00:08:17.292 And it took me a long time. 00:08:17.292 --> 00:08:22.622 I I think the epiphany I had was I was singing down at Tootsie's and I'd 00:08:22.622 --> 00:08:27.832 sang parts of the world and written songs and whenever did backup vocals, 00:08:27.832 --> 00:08:30.652 did everything, but never fully. 00:08:31.252 --> 00:08:35.192 Made it, you know, or really got that record deal like a Shania 00:08:35.192 --> 00:08:38.782 Twain or, you know, all the people in those time, Wynonna Judds. 00:08:38.802 --> 00:08:44.392 And so it came to the point to where there was a new era 00:08:44.432 --> 00:08:46.892 coming in to the music industry. 00:08:46.992 --> 00:08:49.192 I was nearing 30. 00:08:49.192 --> 00:08:50.322 I was almost 30. 00:08:50.322 --> 00:08:52.692 I think I was 28, almost 29 at the time. 00:08:53.022 --> 00:08:58.182 I had just sang at Tootsie's, the famous bar, downtown Nashville, and 00:08:58.182 --> 00:08:59.852 got my butt pinched that night and was. 00:09:00.182 --> 00:09:03.902 sexually harassed once again, and, you know, propping up all my 00:09:03.902 --> 00:09:07.242 stoned or drunk dudes on the stage along with all the other people 00:09:07.242 --> 00:09:10.772 in the crowd and made 30 bucks. 00:09:11.187 --> 00:09:16.527 After I paid everyone and I had an opportunity to get a music 00:09:16.557 --> 00:09:20.257 deal with the people that owned them, Tootsies at the time. 00:09:20.257 --> 00:09:24.677 And I turned them down for reasons that probably not this 00:09:24.687 --> 00:09:26.387 podcast, but it's in my book. 00:09:26.807 --> 00:09:27.287 And. 00:09:27.837 --> 00:09:31.817 So the next day my brother had said, you really need to think 00:09:31.817 --> 00:09:33.387 about maybe doing something else. 00:09:33.387 --> 00:09:35.087 And I'm like, this is my life. 00:09:35.087 --> 00:09:36.637 I don't have anything else. 00:09:36.917 --> 00:09:40.547 all I do is clean toilets and then I'm going to be a singer. 00:09:40.547 --> 00:09:41.437 I've got the talent. 00:09:41.437 --> 00:09:42.137 I've got the passion. 00:09:42.137 --> 00:09:43.767 It's all I ever wanted since I was 16. 00:09:44.807 --> 00:09:45.947 What am I going to do? 00:09:45.977 --> 00:09:47.607 And so that was processing. 00:09:48.087 --> 00:09:51.577 And then I started cleaning for a new family that just came into town. 00:09:52.057 --> 00:09:53.457 And they had a daughter. 00:09:53.457 --> 00:09:56.467 She was 15 years old and full of musical talent. 00:09:56.497 --> 00:09:59.727 And her, they had 2 million to push her dream. 00:10:00.047 --> 00:10:03.187 And came into town and literally said, make my daughter a star. 00:10:03.617 --> 00:10:05.417 Because she had the talent, no doubt. 00:10:05.967 --> 00:10:09.347 And one day I was cleaning her house, her parents house. 00:10:09.817 --> 00:10:11.527 And I was cleaning her toilet. 00:10:11.587 --> 00:10:13.782 And this was just a few days after I'd done it. 00:10:14.462 --> 00:10:18.222 Talk to my brother and I was mulling over, what I do with my life. 00:10:18.452 --> 00:10:19.292 I'm a loser. 00:10:19.292 --> 00:10:21.482 If I quit, that's my whole identity. 00:10:22.452 --> 00:10:26.942 And, I was cleaning a toilet, her toilet, little kid, 15 year old. 00:10:26.972 --> 00:10:29.092 And she came in her bedroom and she started playing. 00:10:29.502 --> 00:10:32.082 practicing guitar and singing on her bed. 00:10:32.082 --> 00:10:35.222 And I was cleaning her toilet and I looked over at her and I 00:10:35.222 --> 00:10:36.692 said, did you write that song? 00:10:37.282 --> 00:10:39.172 And she's yeah, it's going to be on my first album. 00:10:39.742 --> 00:10:43.462 And during the six months that I'd been cleaning for them, I had seen 00:10:43.462 --> 00:10:47.062 these famous songwriters coming in, The ones that I could have never even 00:10:47.062 --> 00:10:51.042 imagined meeting, let alone they're coming in a house that I'm cleaning the 00:10:51.052 --> 00:10:54.892 house, but they're still writing with this kid and I'm like, what the heck? 00:10:55.472 --> 00:10:59.382 And the song she wrote that day was teardrops on my guitar. 00:11:00.192 --> 00:11:02.502 And that was Taylor Swift. 00:11:03.112 --> 00:11:07.322 And so I'm thinking myself, she's like, yeah, it's going to be my first album. 00:11:07.862 --> 00:11:12.012 And I packed my cleaning supplies in my truck that night and I drove home 00:11:12.032 --> 00:11:21.242 and I was like, If this kid who's 15, I'm, she's half my age almost, and she 00:11:21.262 --> 00:11:27.182 has millions to support, she is writing with these big, I'm cleaning her toilet. 00:11:27.792 --> 00:11:30.412 That was my epiphany that day. 00:11:30.792 --> 00:11:32.972 And that's when I knew I had to find a new dream. 00:11:33.022 --> 00:11:35.322 And it wasn't like, Oh, a celebration. 00:11:35.322 --> 00:11:36.232 I'm finding a new dream. 00:11:36.242 --> 00:11:41.382 It was a death because I had had my entire life. 00:11:41.702 --> 00:11:44.482 wrapped up in this is what I was going to do. 00:11:44.632 --> 00:11:46.552 Here comes the tenacious part, right? 00:11:46.582 --> 00:11:48.852 I'm never giving up, never give up, never give up. 00:11:49.622 --> 00:11:53.062 But sometimes God has something different for you. 00:11:53.652 --> 00:11:59.642 And I'm so like my way tenacious, you know, blinders on that. 00:12:00.112 --> 00:12:04.412 He was going to use all of that, that the stage presence and the, 00:12:04.732 --> 00:12:07.982 all of that tenacity and all of that creativity, but he was just 00:12:07.982 --> 00:12:09.232 going to do it in a different way. 00:12:09.942 --> 00:12:12.142 I had no idea what that was going to be. 00:12:12.832 --> 00:12:20.162 So I took a few years to really heal about being, what am I going to do? 00:12:20.162 --> 00:12:21.222 I'm a loser. 00:12:21.652 --> 00:12:22.922 I've spent my whole life. 00:12:22.922 --> 00:12:25.192 I'm just going to clean toilets really. 00:12:26.052 --> 00:12:29.122 And two, my attitude changing. 00:12:29.122 --> 00:12:33.912 And I got into a lot of, listening to tapes and reading books on how to better 00:12:33.912 --> 00:12:39.512 myself and how to, you know, listening to Joyce Meyer and people like that, and. 00:12:39.797 --> 00:12:45.307 Slowly, but surely my attitude of why me turned into well, why not me 00:12:46.117 --> 00:12:47.567 if I'm just going to be a cleaner? 00:12:47.567 --> 00:12:50.857 Okay, God, I feel like there's something else for my life. 00:12:51.357 --> 00:12:56.417 But if this is all you want for me Okay, and I finally got to a part 00:12:56.447 --> 00:13:00.127 where I was okay With just all right. 00:13:00.127 --> 00:13:02.567 God, I had sacrificed some things. 00:13:02.567 --> 00:13:03.957 I'd done made some decisions. 00:13:03.957 --> 00:13:09.432 I shouldn't have I didn't walk your path Okay, what do you have for me? 00:13:09.572 --> 00:13:10.402 I'm open. 00:13:11.082 --> 00:13:16.692 And that's when normally when you're open to God's leading and 00:13:16.692 --> 00:13:21.232 you let him be the mold while you're the clay, he's manhandling 00:13:21.232 --> 00:13:22.752 you and throwing you in the fire. 00:13:23.632 --> 00:13:25.212 It's not comfortable. 00:13:25.852 --> 00:13:29.762 But then you're like, okay, I give God, you know, uncle. 00:13:30.212 --> 00:13:36.307 That's when it usually God is ready to, thrust you into something 00:13:36.417 --> 00:13:36.517 Speaker 3: new. 00:13:37.527 --> 00:13:43.257 Speaker 2: And thrusting into something new, you have to also be open to that. 00:13:44.569 --> 00:13:48.655 Speaker: It sounds like You went through like a grieving process. 00:13:48.685 --> 00:13:48.955 I did. 00:13:49.665 --> 00:13:56.595 you saw your dream had died and you went through mourning and I can imagine 00:13:56.615 --> 00:14:01.925 this whole process that you finally got to the point where you completely 00:14:01.925 --> 00:14:03.605 surrendered whatever he wanted. 00:14:03.645 --> 00:14:04.161 Yeah. 00:14:04.161 --> 00:14:04.678 I 00:14:04.678 --> 00:14:06.438 Speaker 2: went through a definite identity crisis. 00:14:06.773 --> 00:14:06.973 Speaker: Yeah. 00:14:06.993 --> 00:14:07.923 Speaker 2: who am I? 00:14:08.243 --> 00:14:08.483 Speaker 3: Yeah. 00:14:08.503 --> 00:14:08.633 What 00:14:08.633 --> 00:14:08.883 Speaker 2: am I? 00:14:08.893 --> 00:14:09.363 What am I? 00:14:09.663 --> 00:14:15.413 And at that point, still, I wasn't fully grounded in the Lord, right? 00:14:15.473 --> 00:14:18.673 because I think that takes a, I think that takes a whole 00:14:18.673 --> 00:14:21.113 lifetime to really learn that. 00:14:21.543 --> 00:14:21.643 Speaker 4: Yeah. 00:14:21.973 --> 00:14:26.933 Speaker 2: But God being as faithful as he is, he chases after us and he pursues us. 00:14:26.933 --> 00:14:29.413 And then he smacks us and puts us on a different path 00:14:30.013 --> 00:14:31.413 Speaker 4: and says, you 00:14:31.413 --> 00:14:33.833 Speaker 2: know, this is, I don't really want you over here. 00:14:33.833 --> 00:14:35.203 You better move it over here. 00:14:35.253 --> 00:14:39.393 Speaker: Now, I'm going to show my ignorance, and everybody out there 00:14:39.393 --> 00:14:45.243 might laugh at me, but did you say that 15 year old was Taylor Swift? 00:14:45.273 --> 00:14:45.903 Speaker 2: Yes. 00:14:46.143 --> 00:14:46.523 Speaker: Okay. 00:14:46.633 --> 00:14:47.803 Speaker 2: It was Taylor Swift. 00:14:47.823 --> 00:14:47.873 Speaker: Correct. 00:14:47.873 --> 00:14:48.713 Because I don't know. 00:14:49.193 --> 00:14:50.283 You don't know who Taylor Swift is? 00:14:50.283 --> 00:14:51.383 I know who she is. 00:14:51.383 --> 00:14:51.593 Oh. 00:14:51.613 --> 00:14:54.163 I've heard her name, but I've never listened to 00:14:54.443 --> 00:14:54.623 her 00:14:54.786 --> 00:14:58.036 music, and I don't live in that world, so 00:14:58.086 --> 00:15:00.846 Speaker 2: I think you're okay to not live in that world. 00:15:01.581 --> 00:15:02.981 That's a whole other story. 00:15:03.321 --> 00:15:08.481 but she has become, you know, the world's most famous music star on the planet, 00:15:08.511 --> 00:15:12.261 and she has sacrificed lots to get there. 00:15:12.761 --> 00:15:16.701 So I think everyone in the world knows who Taylor Swift is. 00:15:17.846 --> 00:15:21.796 I knew her at 15 and then, consequently when I got in the cupcake business, 00:15:21.846 --> 00:15:24.746 she bought thousands of cupcakes from me, which is hilarious. 00:15:24.746 --> 00:15:25.996 And she doesn't even know it was me. 00:15:26.516 --> 00:15:28.576 so yes, it was Taylor Swift. 00:15:29.241 --> 00:15:32.771 Speaker: Okay, well I thought I caught that and I was trying to make sure. 00:15:34.388 --> 00:15:37.908 so after God changed your course, Right. 00:15:37.948 --> 00:15:39.668 Where did it take you next? 00:15:40.118 --> 00:15:45.218 Speaker 2: Well, I expanded my cleaning business and I got to the 00:15:45.218 --> 00:15:48.318 point where I really, you know, I had girls that were working for me 00:15:48.318 --> 00:15:50.713 and I really, Was enjoying my life. 00:15:50.713 --> 00:15:51.603 I was dating. 00:15:51.603 --> 00:15:57.183 I was trying to figure out, you know, I was now almost 30 and then 00:15:57.643 --> 00:16:03.043 one day I was cleaning September was Labor Day, September, 2007. 00:16:03.693 --> 00:16:06.513 I was cleaning a client's bathroom. 00:16:06.523 --> 00:16:07.163 Go figure. 00:16:07.163 --> 00:16:09.083 All my epiphanies happened near a toilet. 00:16:10.293 --> 00:16:14.253 And, my brother called me, my other brother called me, and he was in New 00:16:14.253 --> 00:16:18.123 York City, and he had stood in line at a cupcake shop for two hours. 00:16:18.803 --> 00:16:22.033 And he's like, you should open a cupcake shop in Nashville. 00:16:22.483 --> 00:16:23.723 And I was like, what? 00:16:24.203 --> 00:16:26.793 He's like, your cupcakes are better than theirs. 00:16:26.823 --> 00:16:30.713 And he was in Central Park eating a red velvet cupcake at the time. 00:16:31.263 --> 00:16:32.103 And I was like, what? 00:16:32.273 --> 00:16:32.683 What? 00:16:32.763 --> 00:16:33.433 I gotta go. 00:16:33.443 --> 00:16:34.673 Like, okay. 00:16:34.673 --> 00:16:36.173 He's like, No, think about it. 00:16:36.443 --> 00:16:38.573 you're a better baker than these people. 00:16:38.823 --> 00:16:40.033 You could do this. 00:16:40.403 --> 00:16:43.443 And I got off the phone with him and I looked in the mirror and 00:16:43.443 --> 00:16:45.763 I had my pink O Cedar gloves on. 00:16:46.303 --> 00:16:47.413 And I'm like, Why not? 00:16:47.793 --> 00:16:48.503 Why not me? 00:16:49.293 --> 00:16:51.653 And so I was like, I could do that. 00:16:51.763 --> 00:16:56.123 I've already failed miserably at the thing I thought was, that was it. 00:16:56.603 --> 00:16:58.603 So, why not? 00:16:58.783 --> 00:16:59.853 Why not a new dream? 00:17:00.653 --> 00:17:05.093 And so I went to four banks and they all laughed in my face. 00:17:05.808 --> 00:17:09.208 They're like cupcakes because at that point cupcakes wasn't a big deal. 00:17:09.288 --> 00:17:11.438 No one had a standalone cupcake shop 00:17:11.548 --> 00:17:11.768 Speaker 3: Mm hmm. 00:17:12.168 --> 00:17:15.078 Speaker 2: And so I'm like, yeah, this is gonna work and I you know, 00:17:15.078 --> 00:17:19.868 I've been in business since I was 15 So like 17 years at that time 00:17:20.448 --> 00:17:22.558 and I was like, this is gonna work. 00:17:22.598 --> 00:17:27.628 this is it I have this feeling and they're like no and I said, but 00:17:27.628 --> 00:17:29.488 I have a little bit of savings. 00:17:29.508 --> 00:17:33.318 I have great credit I've been in business, but none of them would give 00:17:33.318 --> 00:17:38.918 me any And I went home that night and I'm like, God, if you really 00:17:38.918 --> 00:17:41.873 want me to do this, What do I do? 00:17:42.503 --> 00:17:43.873 What, how do I do this? 00:17:43.903 --> 00:17:46.413 And I just thought, you know what? 00:17:46.503 --> 00:17:48.723 I'm going to take out money in my credit cards. 00:17:49.543 --> 00:17:55.193 So I took out a hundred thousand dollars credit card debt, and I called my 00:17:55.203 --> 00:17:59.863 credit cards like American Express and Discover and Bank of America credit card. 00:17:59.863 --> 00:18:05.153 And I said, Hey, instead of 22%, would you, if I took out 50, 000 or 35, 00:18:05.153 --> 00:18:08.733 000, would you get it down to 11%? 00:18:09.323 --> 00:18:10.363 And they're like, yeah, we'll do that. 00:18:10.363 --> 00:18:12.763 So I negotiated with the credit card companies. 00:18:13.183 --> 00:18:19.563 So it wasn't as high as a 22%, but I, it was still a huge risk. 00:18:19.663 --> 00:18:22.303 So I took a hundred thousand dollars. 00:18:22.393 --> 00:18:26.813 So there is once again, that gift of faith, right. 00:18:26.813 --> 00:18:28.053 And stepping out. 00:18:28.463 --> 00:18:33.343 And I thought, well, if I'm going to fail and I'm going to be in debt 00:18:33.343 --> 00:18:37.678 for a hundred thousand dollars, All clean for the rest of my life. 00:18:37.678 --> 00:18:39.328 I'm still going to be cleaning anyway. 00:18:39.328 --> 00:18:48.778 So what if, so I, at that point became the person that said, why not? 00:18:49.208 --> 00:18:55.138 Not what if I don't want to live with the regret of what if I refuse. 00:18:55.638 --> 00:18:59.438 So even if I get my butt kicked and I'm in debt and I'm 00:18:59.708 --> 00:19:01.758 embarrassed and whatever it is. 00:19:02.418 --> 00:19:07.778 I would rather be that than sit on my porch when I'm 90 and say, 00:19:07.778 --> 00:19:08.718 what if I would have done it? 00:19:08.728 --> 00:19:09.878 Why didn't I do it? 00:19:10.118 --> 00:19:11.158 I was young then. 00:19:11.158 --> 00:19:11.498 Why? 00:19:11.788 --> 00:19:13.188 I'm never gonna be that person. 00:19:13.828 --> 00:19:18.048 So hence, got my butt kicked, lost tons of money, gotten sued, blah blah 00:19:18.048 --> 00:19:23.633 blah blah blah blah, but I can still say I'm still the why not person. 00:19:25.113 --> 00:19:27.313 So that's, that will always be me. 00:19:27.353 --> 00:19:29.993 I will be 90 and be the why not person. 00:19:30.593 --> 00:19:31.063 Speaker: Wow. 00:19:31.243 --> 00:19:33.053 not many people are like that. 00:19:33.053 --> 00:19:34.944 And we all live 00:19:34.944 --> 00:19:37.309 Speaker 2: our lives in quiet desperation. 00:19:37.309 --> 00:19:37.782 Correct. 00:19:37.782 --> 00:19:39.673 Very safe, very afraid. 00:19:39.853 --> 00:19:41.973 And so there I was. 00:19:42.038 --> 00:19:47.378 100, 000 in debt, still cleaning, working on my parents would help me 00:19:47.378 --> 00:19:49.068 with the, help me grind the floor. 00:19:49.068 --> 00:19:52.088 And I picked out the paint and I, worked on it. 00:19:52.088 --> 00:19:56.158 And February 21st, 2000, I opened my doors. 00:19:56.448 --> 00:19:58.558 I had 33 left to my name. 00:19:58.718 --> 00:20:05.548 33 is a very interesting number for me, because I had made 33. 00:20:05.558 --> 00:20:07.028 It was 33. 00:20:07.343 --> 00:20:09.373 at Tootsies that night, right? 00:20:09.963 --> 00:20:15.043 33 was what was in my bank account the day I opened my store, one 00:20:15.043 --> 00:20:18.623 store, and crowds just came. 00:20:18.783 --> 00:20:26.063 And I, it all of a sudden, this one store with walking on faith 00:20:26.063 --> 00:20:33.493 and stepping out turned into 124 stores in 24 states in five years. 00:20:34.393 --> 00:20:36.076 And in two years. 00:20:36.746 --> 00:20:38.906 I was grossing 33 million, 00:20:40.416 --> 00:20:42.356 Speaker: 33, 00:20:42.396 --> 00:20:43.196 Speaker 2: go figure. 00:20:43.716 --> 00:20:45.796 33, 33, 33. 00:20:45.876 --> 00:20:53.786 So it has been a very wild ride and I made decisions while 00:20:53.786 --> 00:20:59.896 building this huge snowball of a monster of bringing people on. 00:21:00.026 --> 00:21:01.786 I shouldn't have brought on trusting people. 00:21:01.786 --> 00:21:03.106 I shouldn't trusted. 00:21:03.666 --> 00:21:05.296 not getting the right lawyers. 00:21:05.396 --> 00:21:10.196 And then having a child, raising her all on my own while this was 00:21:10.196 --> 00:21:13.826 happening, it has been a very wild ride. 00:21:14.216 --> 00:21:17.696 And I decided to sell it in 2016. 00:21:18.596 --> 00:21:26.736 And then Boom, I sold it, then lots of things has happened since 2016. 00:21:27.336 --> 00:21:29.456 and then 2020 comes a long ride. 00:21:30.151 --> 00:21:32.051 And I don't have a job. 00:21:32.161 --> 00:21:33.521 I don't have an identity. 00:21:34.031 --> 00:21:36.591 I don't, I mean, like, what am I going to do with myself? 00:21:37.111 --> 00:21:39.048 It's just like, now what? 00:21:39.518 --> 00:21:44.168 so that's where trying to put your identity into something that you 00:21:44.178 --> 00:21:45.758 think is gonna make you great. 00:21:45.938 --> 00:21:47.505 So I was a singer. 00:21:47.735 --> 00:21:48.575 then I was nothing. 00:21:48.815 --> 00:21:52.655 Then I was the cupcake queen that sold 150 million cupcakes 00:21:52.655 --> 00:21:53.795 across the country, right? 00:21:54.005 --> 00:21:59.555 On Undercover Boss, going around the world, signing cupcakes, signing books, 00:22:00.085 --> 00:22:05.075 putting a book out, being on the Today Show, you know, all of this stuff, right? 00:22:05.075 --> 00:22:06.925 So I'm this cupcake queen. 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:13.670 To then nothing, So then what are ya? 00:22:14.290 --> 00:22:16.030 where's my identity again? 00:22:17.020 --> 00:22:17.960 So then why you go? 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:22.040 When you have that huge high that you think, oh one day I think I'm in for 00:22:22.040 --> 00:22:26.260 more, and then God gives you the more, and maybe you were ready at that time, 00:22:27.090 --> 00:22:30.805 but then, It's now, not that again. 00:22:31.365 --> 00:22:32.635 So, who the heck am I? 00:22:34.715 --> 00:22:36.455 Speaker: well let me ask you a question. 00:22:36.675 --> 00:22:39.695 I don't, I didn't ever live in cupcake world. 00:22:39.755 --> 00:22:41.545 what was the name of your store? 00:22:41.565 --> 00:22:42.765 Gigi's Cupcakes. 00:22:43.175 --> 00:22:45.385 Now, is that the name of the store all over the country? 00:22:45.395 --> 00:22:46.015 Yes. 00:22:46.675 --> 00:22:46.905 Yeah. 00:22:46.925 --> 00:22:47.185 It was 00:22:47.185 --> 00:22:47.815 Speaker 2: franchised. 00:22:47.855 --> 00:22:48.173 I did franchise. 00:22:48.173 --> 00:22:48.645 I'm so sorry I 00:22:48.825 --> 00:22:49.405 Speaker: missed out. 00:22:49.405 --> 00:22:50.525 I was a low carb guy. 00:22:51.065 --> 00:22:51.675 Speaker 2: You know what? 00:22:52.215 --> 00:22:55.135 You get to enjoy some of my goodies now, you and Becky. 00:22:55.425 --> 00:22:55.595 Speaker: I do. 00:22:56.015 --> 00:22:57.615 I gave up low carb for cupcakes. 00:22:58.935 --> 00:23:00.255 No, that's really awesome. 00:23:00.305 --> 00:23:06.335 So yeah, I really like this theme of the identity, um, 00:23:06.545 --> 00:23:07.465 because I can relate to that. 00:23:07.965 --> 00:23:08.665 Right. 00:23:09.515 --> 00:23:12.391 So, God was with you throughout all of this. 00:23:12.441 --> 00:23:17.321 what was your spiritual life like during all this, during the cupcake boom? 00:23:18.381 --> 00:23:20.241 Speaker 2: Well, I had to cling to him. 00:23:20.731 --> 00:23:25.151 And my creativity shifted from when I was, would be writing songs to, 00:23:25.471 --> 00:23:26.621 oh my gosh, I could write music. 00:23:26.881 --> 00:23:29.801 this cupcake could have this on it and this and then i'll put this 00:23:29.821 --> 00:23:33.961 color and i'll name it this and So my creativity has always been there. 00:23:33.971 --> 00:23:39.491 It was singing and writing then it went to Designing cupcakes and designing 00:23:39.491 --> 00:23:43.571 the stores and designing the colors and designing the boxes, which is a form 00:23:43.571 --> 00:23:49.201 of creativity That god always wants us to continually recreate Because we are 00:23:49.211 --> 00:23:53.781 supposed to create as humans keep creating keep creating never stand still You 00:23:54.271 --> 00:23:54.981 Speaker: Always create. 00:23:54.981 --> 00:23:56.091 That's the exciting part. 00:23:56.101 --> 00:23:56.411 Right. 00:23:56.691 --> 00:23:59.311 We feel close to the creator when we're creating. 00:23:59.311 --> 00:23:59.871 Right. 00:23:59.961 --> 00:24:00.191 I love 00:24:00.581 --> 00:24:00.811 Speaker 2: that. 00:24:00.821 --> 00:24:04.171 Yeah, we feel close to the creator because he's the ultimate creator. 00:24:04.191 --> 00:24:04.421 Yeah. 00:24:04.461 --> 00:24:04.711 Right. 00:24:05.061 --> 00:24:12.131 So, my creativity just shifted and then when I sold the company and I started all 00:24:12.131 --> 00:24:17.181 of the nightmare of that whole debacle, then I started writing the first book. 00:24:17.181 --> 00:24:20.411 So then my creativity shifted again and I started writing. 00:24:20.412 --> 00:24:20.456 Right. 00:24:21.086 --> 00:24:26.096 And so then the first book came out and then COVID hit 00:24:26.736 --> 00:24:28.366 and the whole world stopped. 00:24:29.936 --> 00:24:31.146 Everything stopped. 00:24:31.196 --> 00:24:36.016 And I decided, you know what I really always wanted to do was open a pie shop. 00:24:36.936 --> 00:24:44.356 So I'd always wanted like to own a French farmhouse country pie shop that, 00:24:44.676 --> 00:24:46.036 you know, that was always my dream. 00:24:46.316 --> 00:24:51.506 I always, pies were really my signature thing even before I did the 00:24:51.506 --> 00:24:54.016 cupcakes, which most people don't know. 00:24:54.386 --> 00:24:56.116 So pies are my love language. 00:24:56.496 --> 00:24:58.246 So I was like, you know what, I'm going to do this. 00:24:58.246 --> 00:25:02.576 I've got a little bit of my savings left after the sale and 00:25:02.896 --> 00:25:04.266 all that happened with that. 00:25:05.111 --> 00:25:08.811 And so I started creating this pie shop. 00:25:08.821 --> 00:25:10.281 Like what would I be calling it? 00:25:10.291 --> 00:25:11.151 What do I do? 00:25:11.171 --> 00:25:13.451 Here's the color where it's the theme. 00:25:13.781 --> 00:25:18.181 And I put everything I had into this pie shop during 2020. 00:25:18.691 --> 00:25:22.211 And then I was getting going. 00:25:22.211 --> 00:25:25.491 I opened in October of 2020. 00:25:25.941 --> 00:25:28.151 And that holiday went great. 00:25:28.181 --> 00:25:30.211 And then remember Omnicron. 00:25:30.646 --> 00:25:36.016 Biden scared the whole world to death with stinking Omicron. 00:25:36.066 --> 00:25:37.956 So then people stopped coming in. 00:25:38.686 --> 00:25:44.156 And then I'm like, I have a very expensive rent, which was 8, 700 a month, by 00:25:44.156 --> 00:25:46.956 the way, that's a lot of pies to bake. 00:25:47.506 --> 00:25:50.786 And the people where I was, they wouldn't let me have like a drive 00:25:50.816 --> 00:25:54.826 thru or a, you know, pull up and take, you know, casseroles. 00:25:54.856 --> 00:25:58.006 Cause I did shepherd's pie and chicken pot pies. 00:25:58.841 --> 00:26:02.391 Casseroles and like a take and bake type of situation too. 00:26:02.391 --> 00:26:04.931 And many pies, pie bars and big pies. 00:26:05.471 --> 00:26:08.031 And then it became like, how am I going to pay my rent? 00:26:08.041 --> 00:26:11.435 If everyone's scared to death to come in it was nightmare. 00:26:11.625 --> 00:26:15.925 So that completely put me out of business and I lost everything. 00:26:16.725 --> 00:26:21.085 And I had to close up my shop, sell my dream house. 00:26:21.605 --> 00:26:27.165 that I had built, and I thought, who the heck am I? 00:26:27.755 --> 00:26:29.185 I've lost everything. 00:26:29.195 --> 00:26:31.155 Still fighting another lawsuit. 00:26:31.965 --> 00:26:34.205 And I thought, who am I? 00:26:34.915 --> 00:26:37.215 I've lost, now again, everything? 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:40.270 Which a lot of people were feeling that way. 00:26:40.270 --> 00:26:42.240 If you were in small business in 2020, 00:26:42.570 --> 00:26:42.790 Speaker 3: you 00:26:42.790 --> 00:26:43.800 Speaker 2: felt the heat. 00:26:44.520 --> 00:26:51.970 Only people that, made money out of that time was, if you're into pharmaceuticals, 00:26:52.590 --> 00:26:53.610 but we won't get into that. 00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:55.170 or big, big pharma. 00:26:55.530 --> 00:26:57.780 so the small business really suffered. 00:26:57.950 --> 00:27:04.190 So there I was sitting there going, wait a minute, my other dream didn't work out. 00:27:04.910 --> 00:27:06.800 I just got my butt kicked. 00:27:06.830 --> 00:27:11.430 I lost hundreds of thousands and thousands of dollars. 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:13.430 I have to now sell my home. 00:27:14.280 --> 00:27:16.940 Where am I gonna, what the heck am I gonna do? 00:27:17.800 --> 00:27:22.350 So, I sold my home and I said, if I'm going to sell my dream 00:27:22.350 --> 00:27:24.220 home, I'm moving to the beach. 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:27.530 So, I found Fernadina. 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:31.650 I always thought I would move to Florida and, but I'd go down to the 00:27:31.650 --> 00:27:38.060 panhandle and I was going to, you know, not be an old maid, be a mermaid haha. 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:42.960 I have a jeep and just when I retired and Kindle went to college, 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:47.190 you know, but it came about 10 years earlier than I thought. 00:27:47.230 --> 00:27:47.560 Speaker 3: Yeah. 00:27:47.730 --> 00:27:53.050 Speaker 2: So I just took a huge step, knew no one here, didn't have 00:27:53.050 --> 00:27:55.875 a job, Didn't have a place to live. 00:27:55.875 --> 00:28:00.255 I was just going to come find a place and just venture out and 00:28:00.265 --> 00:28:02.775 just journey to something else. 00:28:02.775 --> 00:28:04.525 And everyone thought I was crazy. 00:28:04.775 --> 00:28:06.305 You didn't know anyone you're crazy. 00:28:06.745 --> 00:28:10.795 And even my daughter's father took me to court to try to sue me. 00:28:10.795 --> 00:28:12.265 Did not leave the state. 00:28:12.685 --> 00:28:14.525 That was the, another lawsuit. 00:28:14.555 --> 00:28:14.995 And. 00:28:15.505 --> 00:28:16.905 I was like, no, I'm led here. 00:28:17.625 --> 00:28:19.485 And they're like, but you don't know anyone. 00:28:19.495 --> 00:28:20.805 And I'm like, but that doesn't matter. 00:28:20.805 --> 00:28:22.455 I didn't know anyone when I went to Nashville. 00:28:22.625 --> 00:28:28.375 So I could, be a pilgrim again and just recreate myself. 00:28:29.075 --> 00:28:32.835 So I came to Fernandina Without a job. 00:28:33.285 --> 00:28:36.325 No one knew who I was here because I never had stores over here. 00:28:36.645 --> 00:28:39.795 And no one had any expectations of who I should be here. 00:28:40.125 --> 00:28:40.585 Right? 00:28:40.935 --> 00:28:46.405 I just came here with my child, bought a little house, I was trying 00:28:46.405 --> 00:28:51.455 to lay low and just recreated myself again and started writing. 00:28:51.805 --> 00:28:54.185 I, two books, I'm almost finished with both of them. 00:28:54.545 --> 00:28:58.645 Started podcasting again and I started, guess what I started doing? 00:29:00.015 --> 00:29:00.625 Cleaning houses. 00:29:00.885 --> 00:29:00.955 Cleaning 00:29:01.265 --> 00:29:01.495 Speaker: houses. 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:04.820 Speaker 2: So who knows what you're going to do. 00:29:05.550 --> 00:29:09.480 And I just started baking for a little coffee shop here on the island. 00:29:09.800 --> 00:29:12.480 And I would come in and they'd say, Oh, Gigi's here. 00:29:12.970 --> 00:29:15.940 And I was like, yeah, I am here. 00:29:16.850 --> 00:29:18.490 And they didn't know who I was. 00:29:18.490 --> 00:29:21.890 They just thought I was some grandma Gigi that baked these. 00:29:22.030 --> 00:29:24.090 Why are your baked goods so magical? 00:29:24.630 --> 00:29:27.090 Well, I had bakeries. 00:29:27.770 --> 00:29:30.170 They don't know any of that, but it's okay. 00:29:30.310 --> 00:29:30.620 Speaker 3: Yeah, 00:29:30.710 --> 00:29:34.050 Speaker 2: because I have found out that my identity 00:29:34.455 --> 00:29:36.425 doesn't come through what I do. 00:29:36.625 --> 00:29:37.205 Speaker 3: My 00:29:37.205 --> 00:29:40.145 Speaker 2: identity comes through who's I am. 00:29:40.745 --> 00:29:49.485 And that's God's broken, bent, you know, I just am, I am not the perfect 00:29:49.485 --> 00:29:54.665 person, but I know, and I've had a very broken, very, very hard road. 00:29:55.470 --> 00:30:00.050 But God is so good and he's so faithful. 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:03.160 In our brokenness, he can make us beautiful. 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:09.223 Speaker: You know, most people, can't really be as bold as you are to just 00:30:09.233 --> 00:30:14.999 go for your dreams over and over in the face of all these obstacles and, 00:30:15.049 --> 00:30:19.069 and raising a child and a divorce and moving to a new place where 00:30:19.069 --> 00:30:20.189 you don't have to know anybody. 00:30:20.749 --> 00:30:22.269 that's very challenging, but 00:30:22.329 --> 00:30:27.919 You seem to know your identity, your true identity, because that seems 00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:29.719 to be what's getting you through. 00:30:29.719 --> 00:30:31.979 Other people would just crumble because they don't have that. 00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:37.059 Speaker 2: Well, yeah, when I speak, you know, cause I did a lot of public speaking 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:43.219 across the country and most people ask me, they ask me, how do I fight the fear? 00:30:43.479 --> 00:30:44.829 I'm so afraid. 00:30:45.199 --> 00:30:50.569 I nine times out of 10, when I get a Q and a, they're like, how can you be bold? 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:52.129 How did you do it? 00:30:52.529 --> 00:30:53.879 Why did you do it? 00:30:53.899 --> 00:30:56.599 Why do you just change it up? 00:30:57.109 --> 00:31:02.689 And I just, know that no matter what, and it hasn't been a golden ticket. 00:31:02.699 --> 00:31:07.899 Yes, the cupcakes was very successful, but was it at the end when I lost everything 00:31:08.509 --> 00:31:12.099 and I was the target for so many people to sue me, you know what I mean? 00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:19.339 So was it a golden ticket or did I just get more beaten up, and 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:22.799 then losing everything and getting embarrassed with the whole pie 00:31:23.609 --> 00:31:25.689 shop, but I can honestly say. 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:29.099 I'm never gonna have to worry about the what if with the pie shop. 00:31:29.499 --> 00:31:31.049 I got my butt kicked. 00:31:31.459 --> 00:31:32.439 I did it. 00:31:32.789 --> 00:31:35.849 I don't want to do it again, but I don't have to lay in bed 00:31:35.849 --> 00:31:37.279 at night and go, why didn't I? 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:38.399 Why wasn't I brave enough? 00:31:38.959 --> 00:31:41.449 Most people, they are so afraid. 00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:48.859 And I tell them, and I'm writing a The book about this is you have to 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:53.829 look at fear like an obstacle, like a rock that's standing in your way. 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:57.669 it's something that you either have to blow up, go 00:31:57.699 --> 00:32:01.379 through, climb over, go around. 00:32:01.789 --> 00:32:02.639 Or you're just stuck. 00:32:03.689 --> 00:32:05.169 So it has, it's like a mountain. 00:32:05.229 --> 00:32:05.599 Okay. 00:32:05.659 --> 00:32:08.419 I got to climb this mountain of fear. 00:32:09.169 --> 00:32:11.429 How am I going to tactically do it? 00:32:12.619 --> 00:32:18.219 And another example that I use when I speak is, the Indiana Jones. 00:32:18.219 --> 00:32:19.529 It's not the temple of Dune. 00:32:19.529 --> 00:32:23.609 I think it's the, I can't remember, but he's going through this cavern 00:32:23.619 --> 00:32:27.119 and he's in, you know, with this big, the ball chasing him, right? 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:27.649 That whole. 00:32:28.474 --> 00:32:29.354 I think it's Temple of Doom. 00:32:29.354 --> 00:32:30.964 I can't remember, but it's one of them. 00:32:32.054 --> 00:32:37.424 And he comes to a drop off, and it's like he cannot see the drop off, but where he 00:32:37.424 --> 00:32:43.904 needs to go, his cavern is over there, and he can see the hole where he needs to go. 00:32:44.254 --> 00:32:44.474 Speaker 3: But 00:32:44.474 --> 00:32:49.104 Speaker 2: there's a huge chasm between him and where he has to go. 00:32:49.604 --> 00:32:54.439 But then he remembers, in his map of his riddles, You gotta take the first step. 00:32:54.589 --> 00:32:55.929 You gotta step out. 00:32:56.569 --> 00:33:00.009 And so he takes his big breath, and he goes, Oh God, I'm 00:33:00.009 --> 00:33:01.589 gonna drive, die to my death. 00:33:02.099 --> 00:33:03.289 But he steps out. 00:33:03.529 --> 00:33:07.399 And when he steps out, then the path, there's one walking step. 00:33:07.729 --> 00:33:10.269 Then he steps out again, and there's another step. 00:33:10.824 --> 00:33:16.234 And then he steps and his path illuminates, but he had to first 00:33:16.234 --> 00:33:21.614 step out for his path to become clear where he needs to be. 00:33:22.174 --> 00:33:27.414 But most people can never step out of that cave to go to where 00:33:27.414 --> 00:33:31.014 they need to go because they are too afraid to take the first step. 00:33:31.674 --> 00:33:33.634 And people say, what if I'm wrong? 00:33:33.644 --> 00:33:34.764 What if I, you know what? 00:33:34.764 --> 00:33:36.594 You're going to know pretty quick when you're wrong, you're 00:33:36.594 --> 00:33:37.624 going to get your butt kicked. 00:33:37.934 --> 00:33:39.744 But what will you learn? 00:33:41.014 --> 00:33:42.344 Did I lose everything? 00:33:42.394 --> 00:33:43.594 Yeah, I did. 00:33:43.874 --> 00:33:44.964 Did I get my butt kicked? 00:33:44.964 --> 00:33:45.984 Did I get tortured? 00:33:46.064 --> 00:33:47.694 did I get dragged through the mud? 00:33:47.924 --> 00:33:50.104 Yes, I did. 00:33:50.614 --> 00:33:52.744 But am I a better person because of it? 00:33:52.834 --> 00:33:53.954 Yes, I am. 00:33:55.344 --> 00:33:55.834 I am. 00:33:56.044 --> 00:33:56.584 And you know what? 00:33:56.604 --> 00:33:59.634 Had I never, I'd always wanted to be married. 00:33:59.634 --> 00:34:03.884 I've always wanted to find the guy, the one, the love of my life. 00:34:04.364 --> 00:34:07.034 And that's always been a goal of mine, but I've been so busy 00:34:07.284 --> 00:34:11.134 building companies and having a child by myself and doing all that. 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:13.179 that I didn't have time to focus. 00:34:13.669 --> 00:34:17.219 But when I left Nashville, I knew my soulmate was not in Nashville. 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:21.679 And I knew that if I made this big journey across the country, 00:34:21.989 --> 00:34:24.649 that I would find the guy for me. 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:26.439 And I did. 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:35.519 And had I not got out of my comfort zone of Nashville and gone to a different place 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:39.649 to where there's a different, you know, just a completely different mindset here. 00:34:39.929 --> 00:34:42.984 I would not have found The guy for me. 00:34:43.804 --> 00:34:50.264 So if I lost everything materialistically, but fine and had a huge home, 00:34:50.474 --> 00:34:54.484 but was lonely in that huge home because I didn't have my soulmate. 00:34:54.824 --> 00:34:55.054 Speaker 3: I had 00:34:55.054 --> 00:34:58.064 Speaker 2: Kendall, of course, she's my number one soulmate in the world. 00:34:59.364 --> 00:35:08.034 But if I lost everything, but I gained so much more here, and maybe it's not money. 00:35:08.684 --> 00:35:15.444 But it's just peace, it's knowing of self, it's creating again, and 00:35:15.444 --> 00:35:18.244 it's finding the love of my life. 00:35:19.704 --> 00:35:20.674 I would do it over. 00:35:21.784 --> 00:35:23.354 And I'll keep creating. 00:35:23.714 --> 00:35:25.294 And who knows what God has in store for me. 00:35:25.344 --> 00:35:25.984 I don't know. 00:35:27.054 --> 00:35:28.084 But God does. 00:35:28.444 --> 00:35:32.364 Speaker: I think what we see sometimes from our human perspective, this 00:35:32.364 --> 00:35:39.874 is my experience, what I see as complete failure, total failure, 00:35:39.884 --> 00:35:45.154 that's the only word I can think of, is God's success because he's 00:35:45.154 --> 00:35:46.474 got me right where he wants me. 00:35:46.724 --> 00:35:46.894 Right. 00:35:47.704 --> 00:35:49.014 Totally dependent on him. 00:35:49.104 --> 00:35:49.604 Speaker 3: Correct. 00:35:49.824 --> 00:35:50.894 Speaker: Emotionally. 00:35:50.894 --> 00:35:50.924 Absolutely. 00:35:51.799 --> 00:35:53.269 Physically, financially. 00:35:53.879 --> 00:35:55.239 Relationally, everything. 00:35:55.269 --> 00:36:00.789 In every way, total, rock bottom is where he wants us to be. 00:36:00.869 --> 00:36:01.489 That's right. 00:36:01.769 --> 00:36:06.229 And as we continue to succeed, I think, staying there and 00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:09.320 staying humble is the trick. 00:36:09.550 --> 00:36:10.370 You know, just as we go. 00:36:11.075 --> 00:36:12.255 Go to the next thing. 00:36:12.465 --> 00:36:12.875 Speaker 2: Yeah. 00:36:12.965 --> 00:36:18.185 I think that you've hit what the secret of life is, but what most 00:36:18.185 --> 00:36:22.735 people are too afraid to do is be completely reliant on the Lord, 00:36:22.815 --> 00:36:23.235 Speaker 3: and 00:36:23.975 --> 00:36:26.435 Speaker 2: we have to get at our lowest till we find Him. 00:36:26.705 --> 00:36:27.225 Speaker 3: Really, 00:36:27.255 --> 00:36:28.925 Speaker 2: most people really find Him. 00:36:29.255 --> 00:36:33.525 Because if we're safe and we're, oh, we've got a nice house, we've got our, and we 00:36:33.525 --> 00:36:37.555 don't Will we ever really, truly find Him 00:36:38.175 --> 00:36:38.295 Speaker 3: where 00:36:38.295 --> 00:36:40.105 Speaker 2: He really wants us? 00:36:40.515 --> 00:36:43.035 And what he really wants is dependent on him. 00:36:43.275 --> 00:36:43.605 Speaker 3: Yeah. 00:36:43.875 --> 00:36:44.325 Speaker 2: Fully. 00:36:45.355 --> 00:36:48.135 And every day I have to depend on him. 00:36:49.065 --> 00:36:51.775 Because I'm more of a, I'm gonna do it, person. 00:36:52.915 --> 00:36:56.905 Which are, you know, the best thing about us usually are our worst things. 00:36:57.155 --> 00:37:01.275 Our best thing that we could ever be about us are usually our worst traits too. 00:37:01.975 --> 00:37:03.365 Because in him. 00:37:04.150 --> 00:37:05.930 That's our weakness too. 00:37:05.930 --> 00:37:07.760 So we have to rely on him. 00:37:07.990 --> 00:37:13.990 He gives us great traits, but he also, they could be damaging if we use them 00:37:13.990 --> 00:37:16.430 the wrong way and we don't rely on him. 00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:18.840 So in him, we're perfect. 00:37:18.960 --> 00:37:19.350 Speaker: Yeah. 00:37:20.340 --> 00:37:24.496 Well, I think God is, happy when we use those traits. 00:37:24.576 --> 00:37:26.456 it's like the, talent, right? 00:37:26.696 --> 00:37:32.866 So you had this tenacity, you had this faith, the gift tenacity. 00:37:33.446 --> 00:37:37.506 You used it, and I think that pleases God, even though you 00:37:37.546 --> 00:37:39.546 may have gone a little too far. 00:37:39.576 --> 00:37:40.196 Speaker 2: Right. 00:37:40.286 --> 00:37:40.796 Right. 00:37:41.376 --> 00:37:42.776 I think it does please God. 00:37:42.956 --> 00:37:44.876 I think he wants us to step out. 00:37:44.986 --> 00:37:45.306 Speaker: Yeah. 00:37:45.306 --> 00:37:45.441 Yeah. 00:37:46.041 --> 00:37:47.861 Speaker 2: And use what he has given us. 00:37:47.901 --> 00:37:50.711 Speaker: Yeah, that's beautiful. 00:37:51.811 --> 00:37:52.211 Yeah. 00:37:52.321 --> 00:37:53.441 Speaker 2: Yeah, God is good. 00:37:53.461 --> 00:37:53.481 Yeah. 00:37:54.006 --> 00:37:55.967 Speaker: So Tell us about your book. 00:37:56.422 --> 00:37:58.552 Speaker 2: So I'm almost finished. 00:37:58.552 --> 00:38:00.142 I've got two more recipes. 00:38:00.632 --> 00:38:03.552 I'm writing a book called Full Belly Open Heart. 00:38:03.552 --> 00:38:04.142 Speaker 4: And 00:38:04.143 --> 00:38:09.362 Speaker 2: it's a 31 day devotional with a recipe for it at the end 00:38:09.802 --> 00:38:13.892 of the so we talk about Rocky Road Pie, let's just say for instance. 00:38:13.892 --> 00:38:16.962 And I give them the recipe on how to make this amazing pie. 00:38:16.982 --> 00:38:21.032 Rocky Road Pie, and then I talk about the rocky roads in life, and 00:38:21.032 --> 00:38:23.822 then I pair it with biblical verses. 00:38:24.002 --> 00:38:29.042 And so that's almost done, which I'm hoping to do as a more of a TV 00:38:29.042 --> 00:38:32.162 show or a given 15 type of thing. 00:38:32.262 --> 00:38:37.392 . So I'm trying to think about doing it electronic, you know, more of a digital. 00:38:37.438 --> 00:38:40.687 Although it could be a hard copy. 00:38:40.707 --> 00:38:43.947 And then I've also, I'm in the process of writing a book. 00:38:44.127 --> 00:38:49.007 I'm blogging for a company in Nashville called the Heartland, heartlandjournal. 00:38:49.047 --> 00:38:49.557 com. 00:38:49.907 --> 00:38:51.737 So I do a weekly blog. 00:38:51.737 --> 00:38:55.857 I blog every Monday and do a recipe for them, which I've loved. 00:38:55.887 --> 00:39:01.407 And it's, Really been rewarding for me and I could give you the yeah, the 00:39:01.417 --> 00:39:06.857 links and stuff for people to find me there, but I've I'm also writing a book 00:39:06.867 --> 00:39:13.827 called This takes the cake and it's called it's about what to do when faith's 00:39:13.847 --> 00:39:17.662 been shaken and cakes been taken Right. 00:39:18.252 --> 00:39:25.652 So it's all about from 2012, how through everything, all of my cake has been, 00:39:25.712 --> 00:39:32.642 taken and how God has been so faithful, even through all those shaking cake 00:39:32.672 --> 00:39:39.292 taken times and what you can learn from losing everything, but also gaining. 00:39:40.142 --> 00:39:41.642 so much more in the long run. 00:39:42.142 --> 00:39:46.052 So it's called this takes the cake and then it has a cake recipe 00:39:46.052 --> 00:39:47.372 at the end of every chapter. 00:39:47.942 --> 00:39:49.682 Speaker: Oh, I love it. 00:39:49.682 --> 00:39:50.282 That's gonna be so i'm 00:39:50.282 --> 00:39:50.812 Speaker 2: excited. 00:39:50.852 --> 00:39:54.502 Yeah, it's more of a it's a continuation from the first book the secret 00:39:54.502 --> 00:39:58.317 ingredient success In business and life. 00:39:58.727 --> 00:40:01.307 And that came out in 2019. 00:40:01.347 --> 00:40:01.657 Speaker 3: Yeah. 00:40:01.927 --> 00:40:05.907 Speaker 2: And then, the second book will be called This Takes the Cake. 00:40:06.927 --> 00:40:10.207 Speaker: I want to put a link on to your blog. 00:40:10.277 --> 00:40:10.747 Okay. 00:40:11.927 --> 00:40:12.097 Website. 00:40:12.097 --> 00:40:12.937 Your current book. 00:40:12.977 --> 00:40:13.397 Okay. 00:40:13.407 --> 00:40:15.287 We won't have one for the future. 00:40:15.357 --> 00:40:15.707 Not 00:40:15.707 --> 00:40:16.157 Speaker 2: yet. 00:40:16.217 --> 00:40:16.847 Not yet. 00:40:16.887 --> 00:40:19.467 But yes, I'll give you all of those links. 00:40:19.477 --> 00:40:19.507 Okay. 00:40:20.182 --> 00:40:21.212 Speaker: That's awesome. 00:40:21.482 --> 00:40:22.422 That's exciting. 00:40:22.422 --> 00:40:25.172 I really love the whole idea. 00:40:25.442 --> 00:40:25.972 Speaker 2: Me too. 00:40:26.622 --> 00:40:28.802 Speaker: Especially when you include cake. 00:40:29.012 --> 00:40:29.792 Speaker 2: Right, yeah. 00:40:30.302 --> 00:40:33.412 Well, it'll be an interesting, it'll be interesting. 00:40:33.432 --> 00:40:36.172 People will be like, what happened? 00:40:36.172 --> 00:40:37.422 And then what happened? 00:40:37.722 --> 00:40:41.262 So it's been real hard to write because I have to go through the emotions 00:40:41.262 --> 00:40:43.392 again, but it's almost finished. 00:40:43.662 --> 00:40:46.712 I'm finishing the devotional one first and then blogging. 00:40:46.722 --> 00:40:51.192 And then at the first of the year, I'm going to really finish the second one. 00:40:52.012 --> 00:40:52.472 Speaker 3: So we'll 00:40:52.472 --> 00:40:53.312 Speaker 2: see what happens. 00:40:53.312 --> 00:40:57.052 I don't know if I'm going to self publish yet, or we've been talking 00:40:57.052 --> 00:40:58.867 about maybe doing a movie about it. 00:40:59.727 --> 00:41:01.697 Both books as a life story. 00:41:02.207 --> 00:41:08.937 I'm not sure what God has for me, but I'm just open again and willing to just 00:41:09.397 --> 00:41:11.217 let him take it where he wants it to go. 00:41:11.867 --> 00:41:13.047 Speaker: That's awesome. 00:41:13.157 --> 00:41:15.297 that's what I do. 00:41:15.327 --> 00:41:16.487 Just trust the Lord. 00:41:16.507 --> 00:41:16.967 That's right. 00:41:16.977 --> 00:41:17.477 Step on out. 00:41:17.547 --> 00:41:17.647 Speaker 2: Yeah. 00:41:17.827 --> 00:41:18.737 Step on out. 00:41:19.877 --> 00:41:23.377 Speaker: And I love that, that image of the, the Raiders of the 00:41:23.377 --> 00:41:25.587 Lost Ark where he has to step out. 00:41:26.207 --> 00:41:28.537 The step is not there until he steps out. 00:41:28.557 --> 00:41:28.947 Speaker 2: Right. 00:41:29.207 --> 00:41:33.667 Step isn't there until he steps out, but he had to do it to get across. 00:41:33.747 --> 00:41:34.207 Speaker: Right. 00:41:34.337 --> 00:41:35.297 Speaker 2: Or else he's stuck. 00:41:35.617 --> 00:41:35.847 Speaker 3: Yeah. 00:41:35.867 --> 00:41:38.847 Speaker 2: And so that's what, I guess that's the best visual I could come 00:41:38.847 --> 00:41:43.117 up with when, what I tell people, when people are asking me, why am I so stuck? 00:41:43.117 --> 00:41:44.447 What do I do when I'm stuck? 00:41:44.902 --> 00:41:46.112 Well, here's your visual. 00:41:46.822 --> 00:41:47.472 Step out. 00:41:47.882 --> 00:41:48.912 Step out of the boat. 00:41:49.349 --> 00:41:49.779 Speaker: Yeah. 00:41:50.416 --> 00:41:55.436 I had a poster many years ago that had it, it was a little kitty cat just 00:41:55.666 --> 00:42:00.036 hanging on by his claws to a branch and it's like he's about ready to fall. 00:42:00.036 --> 00:42:03.786 And there's a caption under it that said, faith isn't faith until 00:42:03.786 --> 00:42:05.587 it's all you're hanging on to. 00:42:05.587 --> 00:42:06.631 Speaker 2: That's right. 00:42:07.671 --> 00:42:08.631 I like that. 00:42:08.631 --> 00:42:11.601 Faith isn't faith until it's all you're hanging on to. 00:42:11.661 --> 00:42:12.011 Speaker: Yeah. 00:42:12.121 --> 00:42:12.771 Speaker 2: I love that. 00:42:13.611 --> 00:42:18.951 Speaker: Well, it sounds like your whole life has been one adventure in faith and, 00:42:19.001 --> 00:42:25.614 I hope that people who hear this are gonna pick up on that spirit of that, life is 00:42:25.674 --> 00:42:32.264 too short to not to be timid and to not trust God and not go for your dreams. 00:42:32.314 --> 00:42:36.594 Speaker 2: when he says he gave us a spirit of tenacity and 00:42:36.594 --> 00:42:39.874 power, not a fear, he meant it. 00:42:40.304 --> 00:42:43.274 But most people don't think he meant that when he said it. 00:42:43.814 --> 00:42:46.234 No, I didn't give you a spirit of fear. 00:42:46.589 --> 00:42:51.179 I gave you a spirit of tenacity and of power and of faith. 00:42:51.359 --> 00:42:51.689 Speaker 3: Yeah. 00:42:51.709 --> 00:42:54.819 Speaker 2: So if you don't use it, once again, like the gifts, right? 00:42:55.169 --> 00:43:01.479 If you're too afraid to use the power that's invested in you, then shame on you. 00:43:01.949 --> 00:43:02.209 Speaker: Yeah. 00:43:02.249 --> 00:43:03.169 Speaker 2: It's just sitting there. 00:43:03.859 --> 00:43:05.719 You're just stuck in a little trench. 00:43:06.669 --> 00:43:08.899 Speaker: Well, we go back to the, uh. 00:43:09.379 --> 00:43:13.139 The parable of the talents, you know, the guy, that buried the talent, 00:43:14.179 --> 00:43:15.859 the Lord wasn't pleased with him. 00:43:15.959 --> 00:43:17.119 Speaker 2: No, it wasn't pleased with him. 00:43:17.119 --> 00:43:22.409 And I think I also, another visual is, I read this somewhere, a guy 00:43:22.409 --> 00:43:26.959 died, went to heaven and he saw huge storehouses all in heaven. 00:43:27.469 --> 00:43:29.179 And he's like, what are those for? 00:43:29.599 --> 00:43:33.949 And one of the saints said, Oh, those are all the dreams for people 00:43:33.949 --> 00:43:36.409 that never asked and never believed. 00:43:36.849 --> 00:43:37.049 Speaker 3: They're 00:43:37.049 --> 00:43:39.499 Speaker 2: just sitting here because God has them. 00:43:39.609 --> 00:43:40.989 The storehouses are full. 00:43:40.989 --> 00:43:42.109 He says that too. 00:43:42.399 --> 00:43:42.869 Right. 00:43:43.099 --> 00:43:45.079 And my storehouses are full. 00:43:45.299 --> 00:43:49.389 You just have to exercise your faith and you have to believe it. 00:43:50.054 --> 00:43:50.904 And they don't. 00:43:51.614 --> 00:43:51.884 Yeah. 00:43:51.934 --> 00:43:54.354 And I don't, I can't wrap my head around it. 00:43:54.594 --> 00:43:55.094 Yeah. 00:43:55.504 --> 00:43:56.744 Why don't you? 00:43:57.024 --> 00:43:58.024 You're gonna die. 00:43:59.034 --> 00:44:00.054 Just do it. 00:44:00.824 --> 00:44:01.454 Just do it. 00:44:01.504 --> 00:44:02.924 what are you waiting for? 00:44:03.224 --> 00:44:03.504 Yeah. 00:44:03.544 --> 00:44:04.864 And sometimes I'm afraid too. 00:44:04.884 --> 00:44:06.874 I actually, I don't like change. 00:44:06.884 --> 00:44:07.534 Isn't that funny? 00:44:07.544 --> 00:44:12.454 You would think that, I, change scares me, but it also thrills me. 00:44:12.604 --> 00:44:12.944 Speaker 3: Yeah. 00:44:13.094 --> 00:44:17.994 Speaker 2: So I get, I'm my best when I'm under pressure and Oh, I gotta do this. 00:44:18.014 --> 00:44:19.884 So that's when I'm at my best. 00:44:19.934 --> 00:44:20.454 Speaker: Yeah. 00:44:21.304 --> 00:44:21.684 Yeah. 00:44:21.684 --> 00:44:22.297 that's true. 00:44:22.847 --> 00:44:24.387 Definitely your personality. 00:44:25.777 --> 00:44:26.027 Definitely. 00:44:26.477 --> 00:44:27.417 Speaker 2: Yes, it is. 00:44:28.067 --> 00:44:30.507 Fortunately or unfortunately, yes, it is. 00:44:31.767 --> 00:44:34.627 Speaker: Well, thank you so much for doing this. 00:44:35.377 --> 00:44:39.197 I really know it's going to bless a lot of people out there. 00:44:40.377 --> 00:44:42.937 Speaker 2: If they want to reach out to me, I'm on the 00:44:42.937 --> 00:44:46.647 socials of official Gigi Butler. 00:44:47.152 --> 00:44:54.332 GIGI Butler on all my socials or, my website is gigi butler.com or I am 00:44:54.392 --> 00:44:56.852 blogging it on the heartland journal.com. 00:44:57.082 --> 00:45:00.442 Speaker: Now, if they go to gigi butler.com, is there 00:45:00.442 --> 00:45:02.302 a link to the Heartland? 00:45:02.332 --> 00:45:03.442 Yes, there is. 00:45:04.042 --> 00:45:07.162 Speaker 2: And then they can leave a message there or they 00:45:07.162 --> 00:45:09.772 can, um, hit me up on my socials. 00:45:09.822 --> 00:45:11.292 Instagram's more my thing. 00:45:11.292 --> 00:45:12.762 I'm not much Facebook, but. 00:45:13.617 --> 00:45:14.327 Instagram. 00:45:14.867 --> 00:45:17.667 Speaker: If you want, I can put links on the, this podcast. 00:45:17.667 --> 00:45:18.727 Perfect. 00:45:18.727 --> 00:45:19.187 That'll be great. 00:45:20.366 --> 00:45:20.926 All right. 00:45:21.346 --> 00:45:23.206 Well, would you mind praying for the listeners? 00:45:23.316 --> 00:45:23.896 Sure. 00:45:23.896 --> 00:45:25.416 Speaker 2: Well, thank you for having me today. 00:45:27.142 --> 00:45:30.112 Dear Lord, thank you for today. 00:45:30.252 --> 00:45:32.612 Thank you for the power that you give us, Lord. 00:45:32.932 --> 00:45:36.192 Thank you for enabling us to use that power, Lord. 00:45:36.552 --> 00:45:41.242 And when I, before we started this podcast, that the seeds we plant, Lord, 00:45:41.282 --> 00:45:44.482 we don't even know, but you water God. 00:45:44.862 --> 00:45:51.742 So if we're just supposed to be the seed planters, And thank you for watering 00:45:51.782 --> 00:45:56.762 all of the seeds that we put out, and you're the one that harvests them, Lord. 00:45:57.092 --> 00:46:02.392 Thank you for the listeners, Lord, and I just pray that you will talk 00:46:02.402 --> 00:46:07.112 to someone today and just get in their heart, knowing that they were 00:46:07.112 --> 00:46:10.642 afraid to step out, and maybe this is the day that they will, Lord. 00:46:10.902 --> 00:46:12.112 That you're speaking. 00:46:12.787 --> 00:46:16.747 To them from this podcast that they need to be brave in 00:46:16.747 --> 00:46:19.037 you and trust in Jesus name. 00:46:19.097 --> 00:46:19.557 Amen 00:46:20.267 --> 00:46:20.487 Speaker: Amen 00:46:25.847 --> 00:46:28.047 Speaker 6: We hope you've been blessed by today's story. 00:46:28.517 --> 00:46:32.237 In case you haven't noticed, there are no advertisements on this podcast, 00:46:32.597 --> 00:46:34.137 and we hope to keep it that way. 00:46:34.787 --> 00:46:38.927 So if you've heard something that you think could help someone you know, please 00:46:38.927 --> 00:46:41.067 share it using the link in the show notes. 00:46:41.897 --> 00:46:46.247 Also, if you will give Faith and Purpose a positive review on your podcast platform, 00:46:46.697 --> 00:46:48.337 you could help more people find it. 00:46:48.947 --> 00:46:53.012 You will probably never know how that small effort can make a big 00:46:53.012 --> 00:46:56.562 difference in someone's life, but our Heavenly Father knows. 00:46:57.062 --> 00:47:01.862 Speaking of sharing, if you know a Jesus follower with a story to tell, please send 00:47:01.862 --> 00:47:03.792 them a link to Faith and Purpose Podcast. 00:47:04.762 --> 00:47:06.922 It may encourage them to tell their story. 00:47:07.322 --> 00:47:08.922 That person may even be you. 00:47:09.392 --> 00:47:12.522 Our only criteria is that Jesus be glorified. 00:47:13.292 --> 00:47:16.802 Most Christians don't share their faith because they mistakenly think 00:47:16.812 --> 00:47:21.182 their story is not interesting enough, or that it's self centered to talk 00:47:21.192 --> 00:47:26.232 about themselves, or that they are not competent to explain the gospel correctly. 00:47:26.672 --> 00:47:27.932 But none of that is relevant. 00:47:28.322 --> 00:47:31.762 If Jesus has changed your life, you have a story to tell. 00:47:32.707 --> 00:47:35.117 All of our stories are completely unique. 00:47:35.417 --> 00:47:40.187 No one has a story like yours, and you may be the only one who can reach someone 00:47:40.187 --> 00:47:41.967 else through telling your experience. 00:47:42.537 --> 00:47:43.907 So don't be intimidated. 00:47:44.237 --> 00:47:49.657 A story is just that, a true account of your own experience, and no one 00:47:49.667 --> 00:47:51.607 can disagree with your experience. 00:47:52.562 --> 00:47:56.742 When we tell what Jesus has done in our lives, we are being obedient to his 00:47:56.742 --> 00:48:00.962 command to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 00:48:01.362 --> 00:48:05.212 It's not about theology, and it's not about how interesting or special you are. 00:48:05.552 --> 00:48:07.212 It's all about Jesus. 00:48:07.992 --> 00:48:12.702 So when you're ready to tell how Jesus has impacted your life, you can let Jesse 00:48:12.702 --> 00:48:15.822 know at his ministry website, jesseduke. 00:48:15.842 --> 00:48:16.102 net. 00:48:16.732 --> 00:48:19.912 There you can download guidelines that will make it easy to 00:48:19.912 --> 00:48:21.372 prepare to tell your story. 00:48:21.992 --> 00:48:24.432 Thank you for listening today and Shalom.