I grew up attending a Baptist church, but never actually read the Bible in entirety. Although I confessed Christ and was baptized at 8, I fell off when I went to college thinking being a “good” person was enough. I’ve since learned that my own “good” standards are very different than God’s standards. Much of my life has been driven by education and the arts. Although successful enough in both areas, it didn’t come without a lot of heartbreak and many many mistakes along the way.
In January 2017 I had an extremely rough transition into motherhood and as a new family. I did share a small portion of my struggle on Minimalist Beauty with the birth story of my son, but kept the rest to myself. I cried daily for nine months straight. After the first three months I started reading the Bible and seeking God with everything I had. This was the darkest time in my life. And no it was not hormonal. This was a kind of darkness that positive thinking and everything related could not lift. I questioned life, my existence, and everything in between. Six of those trying months I was in prayer constantly while reading the New Testament in full.
It was in September 2017 that I experienced Jesus remove ALL of the heaviness and darkness from my spirit. I will never forget that day. The unconditional and overwhelming love I felt can not be put effectively into words. I didn’t understand it at the time, but in that moment I was a born again Christian. I gave my life to Christ that day. The experience changed my life forever, and I literally can’t go back to who I used to be. It would literally be impossible, and not something I would even want to do. Since that day I’ve been doing my best to fully walk with my Lord and Savior, and live my life for God’s glory and not my own.
Aside from sharing my testimony, God has put it on my heart to share more of my journey with modesty. I honestly feel like the worst person to speak on this topic, but I’m just going to trust this. I was a professional dancer for 14 years, wore the most immodest costumes, and created an idol of fashion. As a dancer I was desensitized completely about modesty from a young age.
I thought wearing exactly what I wanted was a form of expression and freedom, yet was clueless to how I was affected by dressing immodestly. It was a very superficial, not spiritual perspective. I also didn’t understand how immodesty affected others, nor was I aware that God even cared about how we dressed. Nevertheless I gave my life over to Christ on that day in September 2017, and I plan to write more on this topic as I’m led.
Minimalist Beauty has evolved into a platform of many topics from minimalist living, health, organic simple beauty, family, and now faith. I figured if I at least shared a back story there would be a new foundation of what is to come. After ten years of various topics and discussions, I look forward to this new beginning and hope you’ll be interested in the journey.
Much love.
Image by Dawn Michelle
Kiya says
This is absolutely beautiful. With everything going on in the world, we NEED the light of Christ. Stay encouraged.
Dawn Michelle says
Thank you Kiya. Yes we do.
Kayla says
Thank you for sharing <3
Brittany says
Hi Dawn,
I hoped this would be your latest post. I’ve been reading your blog for many years and noticed a shift in how you expressed your spirituality. Thank you for sharing, and I look forward to reading more.
Dawn Michelle says
Yes there was definitely a shift. Thanks for your kind words.
Amanda says
This is such a beautiful story, even to someone like myself who is not of faith.
It seemed to me that the more independent you are before having a child, the harder the transition to motherhood is. Like you, I had a traumatic childbirth experience and a lot of dark days in early parenting (and even not-so-early parenting). I can definitely see how releasing control and giving yourself to a higher power would be such a comfort and a relief.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Amanda,
I think what you said about a lot of independence before motherhood being true. Motherhood is so challenging in itself and your mindset is really important. Thank you for your kind words.
Jill says
Thank you for writing about your continuing journey Dawn and sharing one more piece that illuminates the beauty and love available to us!
Sometimes I call my husband of 36 years “my third husband after Jesus”…..
After an extraordinarily dark and difficult first marriage at the age of 21 and divorce at 24, I eventually took the hand of love and protection Jesus offered me and my two young sons. I met my second flesh and blood husband a few years later. I know I’ve never been anything close to the perfect bride to anyone (!) yet to this day I know I am so loved and could not have survived this world without that knowledge.
Dawn Michelle says
Thank you so much for sharing this Jill. I could not have survived without that knowledge either.
Teresa says
Thank you for sharing your healing story and testimony! Praise the Lord! With you all the way sister! Looking forward to every new post from you! Blessings from long-time reader Teresa
Dawn Michelle says
Amen and amen! Thank you Teresa.
Lindsey says
Hi Dawn,
What a fascinating story. I can’t help but re-read the words, “never forget that day,” “overwhelming Love I felt,” “the experience changed my life forever,” “I literally cannot go back to the person I used to be.” Your exact words describe an unforgettable and life-changing (out of body) experience I had back in August 2016 where I used the exact same words to try and describe what happened to me and I too was never the same after.
My entire being changed and I’ve embarked on an incredible spiritual journey since then. It took me a while to understand what happened, but I was slowly led to answers as I became ready for them. I am overjoyed to hear someone describe something so similar to what I experienced and I would love to know more about what happened to you and share my experience as well on a more intimate platform (like email). If not, I anxiously await hearing more about your story here on Minimalist Beauty.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Lindsey,
I’ve heard about out of body experiences but have never had one myself. The experience that I did have is what Jesus speaks about in the Bible in John 3. That may explain it more.
rosleen says
Thank you for your testimony. I look forward to hearing more about your faith journey.
Dawn Michelle says
I appreciate the encouragement Rosleen
Jamie says
So blessed to have followed your blog all these years, and very excited to follow you on this next step of your journey. Your content is always so genuine and, personally, on point. Can’t wait to read what’s next.
God bless you Dawn, from your fellow sister in Christ. 🙂
Sandra says
Dawn, thank you for sharing yourself on this platform. I’ve learned so much and excited about what’s to come.
I’ve always sensed the deepness of love in your blog posts as eloquently described by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Honored to hear your story of finding peace beyond understanding.
Dawn Michelle says
Thank you Sandra. The scripture you mention has been on my heart for some time now. I appreciate you sharing it as it is once again confirmation.
Lori says
I am interested in your journey! 🌷
Dawn Michelle says
Thank you Lori.
Maita says
All your experiences when you were a dancer, wearing costumes, loving fashion and what it meant to you were all positive! You were a wonderful person and are still wonderful today! It’s just that you are evolving and that is even more wonderful! Who knows where you will be a few years from now? However, your intentions and your warmth not to mention your intelligence and GRIT will never change. I have followed your website from the very beginning. You have always contributed wonderfully to the world as a dancer, as a vegan, as a minimalist, as a wife and mom, as a website author, etc. We hope that we never stop growing and evolving to love and care about people and the world!
Dawn Michelle says
Thank you for your kind words Maita. I know God will use all of my experiences for His glory.
Lyric says
I absolutely love that peace that can only come from Jesus Christ, The Lord.
I was never married, but I condemned myself, along with a host of others, for an adulterous rel that nearly took a tragic turn. What people oft don’t believe is that when you are intimate with someone, (who’s not your spouse) there is a yoking btwn you and him, For ex, I carried him with me hauntingly, daily. It was so deeply embedded that my regular petitioning and fasting could not remove.
I was angered, bitter and just mentally corruptible from when I woke up until when I slept, daily. EVERY SINGLE DAY. Then, one night, I worked out before bed, I was on the treadmill, angered, bitter and petitioned for deliverance from this volatile, imprisoned mess. I mean everybody got this attitude and bad manners, except if you were a child, a pet or elderly.
When I woke the next morning, everything was gone.
The hurt, the sorrow, the anger, the bitterness, the rage, my resentment of myself, that man, my choices, my denial, betrayal, my hatred it was all….gone!
ALL OF IT!
ALL of it.., gone
I couldn’t find it, it wasn’t there. ALL of IT was gone.
I am deeply grateful to God for Jesus and his grace that saved my soul. His mercy and His love–there is no comparison
I Am thoroughly delivered from that slave. I am, at times,just in awe at times.
I am at liberty to do what is required: I stay in prayer for myself and everyone involved.
I don’t absolve myself from God’s relentless love or forgiveness.
In fact, my life reminds me why he says, “love your enemies” , because I became one and I needed his divine love, forgiveness and grace to bring me back to Him.
Dawn Michelle says
Praise God Lyric! I rejoice with you. Thank you for sharing this powerful testimony. May God continually keep you and may His grace and peace abound.
Nirojini says
This testimony was very touching Dawn, I too was just like yourself was a church goer but didn’t totally surrender myself fully to Jesus, but just last month I did so and I feel much more at peace, even though troubles come I feel Jesus is in control now.
Dawn Michelle says
Thank you Nirojini. Surrendering to Jesus is the best decision I’ve ever made and I pray blessings over your new walk with Him.
Morgan says
Dawn Michelle,
I have read your blog for a number of years and gained a lot of help from the information about skin and haircare. I am a Christian, and after reading for awhile I began to pray for you that you would truly find salvation in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. How glad and thankful I am that you did. Keep reading your King James Version of the Bible. DO NOT let it go. Do not trade it in for one of the newer Bible versions. It is really encouraging to me to have read this post and learned that you are my new sister. I love you very much.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Morgan,
Prayer is extremely powerful and I truly appreciate yours. The King James Version is my favorite. Having information from a concordance has also been so helpful. Thank you so much for your kind words.