We would like to take a moment to thank our sponsor, PreBorn
Dr. Jessica Peck: We would like to take a moment to thank our sponsor, PreBorn. When a mother meets her baby on ultrasound and hears their heartbeat, it's a divine connection. And the majority of the time she will choose life. But they can't do it without our help. Preborn needs us, the pro life community, to come alongside them. One ultrasound is just $28. To donate, dial pound250 and say the keyword baby or visit preborn.com/AFR this year, America celebrates its 250th birthday. Two and a half centuries of courage, innovation, faith and freedom. But what will the next 250 years hold? The next generation could hold the next Billy Graham, the next Rosa Parks, the next Ronald Reagan, the next child whose life will impact generations. But first, they must be given the chance to live it. I couldn't imagine my life without him because of them. He's here. We're going to get through it and
Dr. Jessica Peck: it's going to be okay. Everyday PreBorn Network Clinics helps mothers facing unexpected pregnancies discover hope through a free ultrasound. When a mother sees her baby and hears that tiny heartbeat, her baby is twice as likely to be given the gift of life. What story will God write through America's Next Generation? In honor of America's 250th anniversary, we're asking friends to consider a special gift of $250. Your gift can help provide nearly nine life saving ultrasounds. Dial pound250 and say the keyword baby. That's pound250 baby or donate securely at preborn.com/AFR that's preborn.com/AFR Every gift is tax- deductible.
: Hello and welcome to the Dr. Nurse Mama show prescribing Hope for healthy Families here on American Family Radio. Here's your host, professor, pediatric nurse practitioner and mom of four, Dr. Jessica Peck.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well hey there friends and welcome to my favorite time of day getting to spend time with you prescribing Hope for healthy Families.
Navigating Social Pressures and the Impact of Comparison on Confidence and Identity
Listen, I hope that you will stay tuned. We have got such an encouraging message for you today and something that a lot of parents are facing now. Have you ever, if you have m a daughter, preteen, teenage, a granddaughter, a niece, someone you love, have you ever watched them get ready for something that they were excited about and then just seen her confidence change after a few minutes on a phone, after a text message, after a social interaction. Maybe she liked her outfit until she saw somebody else's outfit. She felt good about what she accomplished until somebody else's accomplishment somehow seemed bigger or better. Or maybe you even recognize that in yourself. Comparison is said to be the thief of joy. And I agree with that. And it enters these ordinary moments in our lives and convinces us that something about our lives, our bodies, our personalities, our circumstances, need to change before we can feel content and certainly before we can feel joy. Growing up has always involved questions about identity and belonging. That's why older generations have so much wisdom still to speak into younger generations, even though the modern context has changed the feelings haven't. Kids notice these differences early between themselves and their peers. And as they move towards those teenage years, fitting in becomes increasingly important. They're learning who am I while trying to understand who are the other people in my life and how do we walk together as God designed it. Relationship and these messages that the culture is giving are confusing. Be yourself, but follow these trends. Love your body, but here's the things that you should fix about your body according to this app that just scored your face. Be confident. But hey, keep checking to make sure other people approve because you don't want to get canceled. We tell our kids they're wonderfully made, and the world continually offers them a different version of themselves to pursue. That tension follows us into adulthood. We may know those words of Psalm 139, that we're fearfully and wonderfully made and still struggle to receive them personally. And for families, this is just an important opportunity to think about today, for this next hour that we're together, the messages that we're communicating at home about identity and belonging. What are we celebrating? What are our kids hearing us say about our own appearance, our abilities, our limitations?
Introducing Guest Dacey Triplett and Her Journey of Embracing Why God Made Her Different
Are we helping them recognize the worth of the whole person, their character, their creativity, their kindness, their capacity to love? And when something is genuinely hard, can we acknowledge that difficulty, the reality of that situation, while also reminding them that their value is unchanged in the eyes of God? Today's guest brings a deeply personal perspective to these questions. I'm so honored to welcome Dacey Triplett today. Now, Dacey was born with a condition called achondroplasia dwarfism, and her journey has included wrestling with why God made her different. And she has written a book about this, Nobody can be better than you. It is such an uplifting, empowering account where she shares how growing in her love for God helped her embrace the person that he created her to be. So we're going to talk about comparison, biblical confidence, learning to recognize purpose in the parts of ourselves that maybe if we're really honest, we wish we're different. So if you're raising A child who struggles to fit in. If you're encouraging someone who just maybe feels like they're just never quite enough, or you're just carrying those questions yourself, I hope that you will stay with us.
Dacey's Early Life and Family Support in Navigating Her Unique Physical Differences
Dacey is from Ferguson, North Carolina, and she is here with us live today. Dacey I am so honored and grateful that you're spending time with us today. Welcome, welcome, welcome.
Dacey Triplett: Well, thank you so much, Jessica, for having me on the Doctor Nurse mom show. It is such an honor. And I'm so excited just to talk to everyone today about what the Lord has done in my story. And it's just a full testimony of him. But, no, thank you so much for having me, Jessica.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, Dacey I am so glad that you're going to share your story. I know you've probably shared it so many times that that doesn't necessarily make it any easier to share some of the harder parts of your story. But my goodness, reading it, I will tell you, your story has encouraged me so much. And so I would love to give you an invitation just to share your story with our listeners.
Dacey Triplett: Yeah, of course. Well, Jessica, that means the world that you've read it. And even though we look, both of us look very different, the fact that you can relate to it is so important. But, yeah, like, guys, like Jessica said, my name is Dacey Triplett. born in North Carolina. Y' all can probably hear it in the accent. I love it. And I was born with achondroplasia, dwarfism. and for, like, medical terms, that really just means that I have shorter limbs. I'm 24 and I'm only about 3 11, so it looks very different than your average, 24 year old. But so my story starts, with my parents. My parents are average height and so is everyone else in my family. I was the only little person to be born in my family. I always joke and this is like, always my one liner in my story, but my brother's like 63 and I'm 3 11. And
Dr. Jessica Peck: that's a big difference.
Dacey Triplett: Very drastic difference. Very drastic difference. So, yeah, my parents had 1 in 25,000 chances of having me. and they never expected for their little girl to have dwarfism because, I mean, why would they? dwarfism doesn't run in our family at all. And so that's where my story began of being born into a world not made for me. And growing up, I always said, like, growing up wasn't that hard because, like, we're all little when we're growing up, like, everybody's like, little Kids. And so I didn't notice my own difference that much. And my parents were always so good to, like, raise me just the same as my siblings.
Adolescent Struggles with Self-Image and the Internal Conflict of Questioning God's Plan
like I said, I have an older brother and a younger sister, and, like, one of their goals was to always raise me the same way. They didn't want my difference to stop me in any way, or they didn't want me to use my difference as an excuse not to try something. And so I am so thankful for that. They raised me like that because it would be easy to cower down and, like, shy away from things being different than everyone around you. But thankfully, my family and my friends have always pushed me to never let that stop me. so that's where it started. And then growing up, like Jessica was mentioning earlier, as we get a little older, becoming a teenager, preteen, those are some hard years. And, that's when I really began to notice my physical difference. I started going to middle school, and that's when girls and guys start caring more about how they look. Or girls and guys start changing more then. And, clothes become more popular and people's opinions in general become more popular. And that's when you start. Girls start liking boys and boys start liking girls. So you just. Everything, I think, becomes. Becomes magnified in your eyes more. And so I remember going into middle school, and I can remember looking at my friends when we came back that summer. I was like, what happened to y'?
Dr. Jessica Peck: All?
Dacey Triplett: That did not happen to me. And because it was like, everybody grew up but me, like, I just felt like I still looked the exact same. And I can remember being so hard on myself. I was so hard on myself that I felt like I had to make up for that 2ft of height that I was missing. Like, I mean, average, girls, I think, are like five foot something. And so being 3 11, like, 3, 9ish, probably in middle school, like, I was like, okay, if I'm going to be a dwarf, how do I make up for it? Like, how do I make. How can I make people almost forget that I'm a dwarf? And so my mindset became, okay, I have to be the funniest. Like, I, have to make the first short joke in the room so every laughs with me and not at me. I need to have the best clothes. I need to dress in the trendy ways so, like, maybe they'll see my outfit and forget about the dwarf part. Or I need to be the skinniest. Because if I'm going to be a dwarf, I cannot be A chubby dwarf. I was tough on myself. I was really tough on myself. I was my own biggest critic. And that's when the question's more so of like, like, why God? And I grew up in a Christian household, thank God and have, I don't remember a life without God. And that's one of the things I'm most thankful for. And I was like, I went to Christian school. Like, I was your Jesus girl, so I was not supposed to question God. So I put a really good face on of like, oh, I love who God made me to be. I love who God made me. He has a purpose for it. Like, it's okay, like, I'm strong enough to handle it. but really deep down I really wanted to know why he chose me. And with that just became questions. And then honestly, my self confidence was just non existent.
Considering Physical Changes and the Realization of Confidence Rooted in External Factors
And, it came to the point of where I even had considered, having limb lengthening surgery. I wanted to change who God made me to be because I was like, there's. I cannot see the good in it right now. And I just tell everybody I was wanting to be anyone but Dacey Like, I wanted to be that girl beside me that the guys liked. I wanted, I wanted to be. I wanted to be the it girl. To be honest. Like, I wanted to be the popular girl. But in my mind, I would never be that because popular girls didn't look like me. And so, I had considered doing limb lengthening and I changed my mind and I decided not to have limb lengthening, which I do. I know several people that have made that decision and has bettered their life for them. but for me, I think it was a true blessing that God changed my direction. because now looking back at like, younger Dacey like, I don't even. Yes, my dwarfism is a part of me. It's not my identity. But I honestly don't even know who Dacey would be if I wasn't who I am. And so continued on that journey. And like you said earlier, like, comparison is really hard. And it is something. Like I compared. I mean, even a damn 24. Like, there's still days that I compare myself. And so just tried to get through it the best I could. And I was your happy, go lucky girl. I didn't want m people to feel the burden that I felt, of like my dwarfism. So I did. I kept a lot of it in. And so I was your happy go lucky girl throughout high school and middle school. And no one around me would have ever believed that I didn't love who I was. And so then Covid hit, and I graduated high school the year of Cove and, oh, my goodness. Yeah, crazy time. Crazy time. It was tough. It was like, you're there one day, and I haven't seen some of the people I graduated since. but so I graduated, and then we went to being completely, like, isolated. Like, the only people I really saw was my family. And then I realized how much of my confidence was rooted in the opinions of people around me, because I went from being constantly surrounded by people to not being surrounded at all. And I was like, dang. All my confidence was. Confidence was placed in what that boy thought about me or how that. What the scale said or who wanted to be my friend that day. And that was like. My confidence was so shaky because it was so up and down because I was rooting it in things that change every day, like the scale. I mean, as women, I think weight is something we all have struggled with. The scale changes every day. If you weigh in the morning, you're gonna weigh differently in the night. And that was something I was rooting my confidence in. And I love my guys. I love my. I have. So some of my best friends are guys, but guys change their mind on the minute.
Dr. Jessica Peck: I won't argue. I won't argue.
Dacey Triplett: And so it's like, no wonder, Dacey that you struggled with confidence, because you were placing it in things that we're always changing and not in the one who never changes.
A Retreat Weekend Leads to a Shift in Perspective on Confidence and God's Plan
so kind of had that realization was in a very repetitive season of life. Like, I was going to the. I was working at the Y, opening the Y every morning, working out, and coming home. And that's what my life consisted of. And one of my good high school friends messaged me. And this was about a year later after Covid. And she was like, hey, girl, we need to get out. Like, we need to go do something fun. She was like, there's this retreat up in Black Mountain, North Carolina. It's like a bunch of Christian girls. a girl we knew on Instagram who's now a personal friend of mine, but Grace Valentine was hosting it, and she was like, I think we should go. Like, I think we should go. And I was like, you know what? I'm not doing anything better with my life right now. Like, let's. Let's go. And so we hopped in the car and we went. And I can honestly say that weekend shifted my confidence. That was the weekend my confidence changed.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Dacey I'm going to hold you right There we are already at our first break.
The Pivotal Retreat Experience and Discovering God Confidence as the Foundation for Self-Confidence
But I cannot wait to hear how. To hear what happened and how your life has changed. Because it's one thing to have the story of your life and to hold the story of your life to yourself, but you have decided to share that story with all of us. And something happened along the way to give you the courage and the perspective to do that. And I want to hear more, more about that. Listen, Daisy's story gives families room to acknowledge that feeling different can be hard. And we can bring those questions honestly to God. When we come back, we'll keep talking about the pressure to compare and what it means to build confidence in our identity in Christ. We'll be right back. Hello, I'm Jessica peck, host of Dr. Nurse Mama. Ah. Did you know that this content is listener supported?
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Without people like you, this podcast would not exist. And that's why we need you. A generous monthly gift of any amount will help sustain American Family Radio and specifically this podcast. Please consider becoming a monthly financial partner today by visiting afr.net/give that's afr.net/give
Better Is One Day by Matt Redman: How lovely is your dwelling place, oh Lord Almighty. My soul longs and even flames for you. For here my heart is satisfied within your presence I, stand beneath the shadow of your wings. Better is a one day day in your court Better is one day in your house Better is one day in your court Thousands, elsewhere. Better is one day in your course Better is one day in your house Better is one day in your course Thousands elsewhere.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back, friends. That is Better is one day by Matt Redman And that's exactly what we're talking about today is Better is one day in God's plan than thousands elsewhere. I'm talking to author Dacey Triplett today, and she is a remarkable young woman. She was born with a condition called achondroplasia dwarfism. And she's been sharing her personal story and she has shared that story in a book called Nobody can be better than you. And she was just sharing her story about growing up and in a household of faith, but still having questions. Why did God make her this way? Why did she have to be different? What did that mean for her life? And. And just some of the hard things that come along with that. And right before the break, she was just telling us after graduating during Cove which my sympathies to anyone. Dacey that's so hard. I had a, One of my kids graduated in the midst of Cove and that was so hard. I remember her coming to me one day and saying, you know, everything that you told me about how the world was gonna work in these days is not true. I don't know if I'm going to college. I am. I have no social life there. Forget graduation, there's no prom, there's no nothing. Like, I really don't know if I can trust what you say. That shook me as a mom, Dacey And you talked about living in the isolation of that a friend calling you and saying, hey, let's go on a retreat. And you went up to the retreat, and I'm going to let you pick it up right there.
Dacey Triplett: Yeah, of course. so, yeah, picking right off for left. we're heading up to the retreat in Black Mountain, North Carolina, hosted by Grace Valentine, and had no idea what to expect. I just signed up for this randomly because I wanted some, I wanted to be social, and I just wanted the life to feel a little normal again. And so I walked into that retreat center and I saw all these girls that were, like, the girls that I wanted to look like. I was like, these girls can't understand. Like, they. Yes, they say they struggle and stuff, but I'm like, they do not understand what it is like to be in my shoes. And so. But then, like, just the girls were so sweet, and I was like, okay, this is going to be a good weekend. And I can remember at one of the first sessions, we walk in and the speaker was sitting, like, in the audience. And I knew of her from some other things. I was speaking to her and I was like, ah, like, she is beautiful. Like, she's beautiful. She's athletic. She's dressed, like, so cute. I was like that. Like, if I could put myself in someone else's body, that's who I'd want to be. And I was like. And it's just. There's no way she's ever understood how it's felt to, like, feel like you can't eat a sweet treat or you will automatically become ugly. Or like that your relationship with food's terrible or that you've never seen yourself really as beautiful. There's no way she's ever felt like that. And to my surprise, she got up on the stage and that was like, some of the first words out of her mouth was that she had struggled with an eating disorder for a long time. And that, her body image comparison, like, relationship had been so bad at points of her life. And I was like, what? Like, how? If you're struggling with that, I'm down bad because you were like, you were the girl I wanted to be. and like you're telling me you struggle with the same things that I struggled with. And she went on to talk and her talk was amazing and like, her name's Kat Schultz and just an awesome girl if you ever need encouragement. But she, went on and concluded her talk with these words and they honestly changed my perspective online forever. And she was like, the reason I didn't have self confidence is because I had no God confidence.
Embracing God's Purpose and the Transformation of Self-Perception and Life Opportunities
And I was like, Dacey that is it. You have no self confidence because you're not confident in the one who made you. You're not confident that he'd have planned for it. You're not confident that, that he's going to work it out. You're not confident that he didn't make a mistake. That is why your self confidence is non existent. And you think you have these bits of confidence, but it changes like that. Like I said earlier, it's gone. It's your third one minute and gone the next. And because I was placing it in things that were constantly changing, they didn't care about how Dacey felt. They didn't. That's not, wasn't their goal. But the Lord never changes. And that's where I was lacking. And so from that day forward, I'm not going to tell you, like I left that retreat and never struggled with self confidence again. But my perspective on life changed and I was like, you know what, Daisy? Like, you do serve a God that doesn't make mistakes. He only makes masterpieces. And that's the key. He didn't make a mistake. So if he didn't make a mistake, there's a purpose and a reason that he allowed you to have achondroplasia. Dwarfism. You may not understand it, but, but that's why proverbs, 3, 5, 6 is. One of my favorite parts of scripture is that we are called to lean not on our own, our own understandings, but his understanding. And that's a lot of days, that's what I have to do. I don't always understand why I'm a little person, but through placing my confidence in him, he's helped me to fall in love with who he made me to be. And ever since that day, guys, I would just say the minute I became confident in God and in who he made me do, who he made me to be, that is when he just kept opening up doors, he was like, Dacey finally you let go. And now we can have fun with this.
Sharing a Personal Story and Embracing Public Vulnerability as a Testimony to God's Faithfulness
You can see the purpose and the Beauty that I've seen in it the whole time. And so that is one of the main reasons that if you choose to get my book, nobody, can be you better than you. I would have never written that book if I would have never trusted him. and then, crazy to think, like, my job nowadays is I interview people. I interview people in the bluegrass industry and the motorsports industry. And as, someone who is so unconfident, it's hard for me to believe some days that that's what I do for a living. Because someone who just wanted to kind of blend in as much as she can, now it's like she takes that difference, and it helps her truly become who she's meant to be. and so that is the short clip of Daisy's story, but, just really the focus of it. I always want to be the Lord and his faithfulness and that he took something that I thought was a bad thing, but now I thank him for it. I used to ask him why, and now I praise him for making me different. Because I wouldn't want to be anyone but Dacey
Dr. Jessica Peck: Oh, Dacey you are such an encouragement and such a breath of joy and. And fresh life. I mean, really so encouraging. And the book is called nobody can be you better than you. I think I said it wrong earlier. I'm so sorry about that.
Dacey Triplett: Nobody it is.
Dr. Jessica Peck: But that's okay. Nobody can be you better than you loving the person God created you to be. I think this would be an amazing young, read for young women everywhere. Because, honestly, Dacey I'm picturing you walking into that conference and seeing the speaker and thinking, oh, my goodness, like, I want to be like you. I truly believe that the joy that you radiate, the confidence that you have and living out who God made you to be, that is going to make young women look at you and think, okay, if you can do that, I can do that too. And it's. It's God's grace and the irony that it's through our weaknesses that his strength is made perfect. And so something that you thought, you know, was, was difficult for you, God sees as good, and I see him using that as good for your life. And, Dacey you know, I mean, it's one thing to. Like I said, it's one thing to have your personal story and to know that God has done this in your life and that you have, you know, had a gradual transformation here, that you had a pivotal moment and that God has taken you on a journey in a different direction. It is a whole Nother thing to step out on a public platform like this. I mean, here you are on live radio and say, hey, here's my innermost, really vulnerable thoughts and here's my fears, and here's my you. You know, all of my. Just everything that you're putting out there. What gave you the courage to step into such a spotlight, to share your story in such a public way? Where does that kind of confidence come from?
Dacey Triplett: Yeah, no, of course, like I said, if you would ask me that a few years ago, I'd been like, I don't even know Jessica. But it's funny, it's been a journey. My life has been in the public for a bit. I've had the amazing opportunity to film on a reality TV show called the Seven Little Johnsons on tlc. And I can remember, around this same time in my life I was gaining a lot of followers from that. And I was like, you know what I was like, I was private on everything because I was like, nobody needs to know my business. I was private on everything. And God just opened my heart. And he was like, Dacey like, I'm putting all these people at your fingertips that you could share the gospel with. And I was like, you know what, we're gonna go for it. And so really taking that leap of I made all my, social medias and stuff public. And it was terrifying at first because I was like, everyone's gonna know everything in my life. And I was like, I don't know if I'm gonna like that. but then through that it's just, it's been such a easy way for me to share my story. And, and that's what I think about all the time is like, social media has its really bad parts and it has its really good parts of. I think you can like a girl that may be watching on the screen in who knows where may see me. Because I, when you see me, Jessica, I'm not expected to be a confident person. Like when someone sees me in public, I'm like, and you're going to ask the room, like, who do you think the most confident person is in this room? And, and most likely they're not going to choose me. and I think that is why it's such a testimony to Christ, because I'm not the one that's supposed to be confident. But oftentimes in a non arrogant way, I'm the most confident person in the room. And it's so that girl or even guys, I think guys struggle with self confidence. Way more than they ever put out in the public. Guys are taught to be tough and keep their feelings kind of to themselves. But I think guys struggle with self confidence just as much as girls. A lot of times, girls are just more verbal about it. And so that's why I'm like. If they can see that, like, even in the midst of my difference, my physical difference, like my quirks, my personality, that I can be confident, I hope it gives them the confidence that they can be confident in who God made them to be. Because my life looks different than everyone around me. I even like physical and not physical. I mean, I, Like, we've said, like, I'm 311 in a world that's not made for that, so of course that looks different. But I also. I'm 24 and I wrote a book. That was my career. And then I work in the bluegrass music industry. That lifestyle does not look like a lot of other people's around me. And so I think for a long time, I would have stepped away from that because it didn't look. Whatever. It didn't look like what everyone else is around me look like. And I just think of all the missed joys that we could have from that of just seeking to look like everyone else around us when God never made us to be the person beside us.
Encouraging Others to Celebrate Their Uniqueness and Aim Higher Than Mere Acceptance
He made us to be us. And so really, that thinking about the young girls, the young guys, the girls and guys my age and thinking about them was what really helped me to take the public step of, like, you know what? God gave me a story to tell. And if it can help the good, the bad, the ugly, whatever it is, if it can help someone else become more confident in who God made them to be a little earlier than I did, then it's all worth it.
Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, it's so inspiring to me to listen to you talk, Dacey because when I'm listening to the early part of your story, you're talking about struggling to fit in. How can I blend in? How can I look like the girl next to me? How can I act like the people around me? How can I conform to people's expectations? How can I stay in the background? Or how can I compensate for these things that I view as deficiencies? I mean, that that's what you're sharing with us. Like, okay, I, may be 3:11, so I better look more fashionable. And, you have just done a complete 180. It's not. You're not talking about coming to peace with those things, accepting those things, just, okay, that's the way that it is. I'm okay with that. You are projecting, celebrating those things, being the most confident person in the room. I mean, even in looking at the COVID of your book, if anybody would look at the COVID you have a picture of you standing there just looking incredibly confident. Confident. You know, nobody can be you better than you.
Dr. Jessica Peck: How.
Dr. Jessica Peck: How would you encourage other people who maybe haven't gotten there, who are just trying to get to that point of acceptance, and they think, okay, well, if I could just accept that this is the way God made me, then I'd be happy. How can you aspire them to aim higher than that and say, no, don't just accept it. Step into God's plan for you and celebrate it and, and, and stand, you know, shout that from the mountaintops? I think that's incredibly inspiring.
Dacey Triplett: Yeah. No, to encourage you, I, first, my biggest encouragement is don't let your self worth be based on what people are saying about you. Based it on what the Lord says about you. And so, and that was, you mentioned the scripture earlier about Psalms 139. And the Lord says, we're fearfully and wonderfully made. And so I think about it all the time. This really changed my perspective on it. I was. When I would look in the mirror, I was my biggest critic. I was pointing out, Jessica, like the slightest things, like a shadow on my face automatically would make me feel chubbier. And I was picking those out and I was picking myself apart. And it hit me of one day of light. Dacey you're not critiquing yourself. You're critiquing the artist who created you. And I just want that encouraged me more than anything to be like I was made intentionally. And I think when you can realize that, that it. Not in an arrogant way, but it lets. It allows you to believe that you have a purpose. And another just big encouragement for the listener is I, for so long based my opinions and desires and like my dreams on the dreams of people around me.
God's Higher Plans and the Importance of Living in the Present Moment
Dr. Jessica Peck: Oh, I'm gonna hold you right there. We're already at our second break. Our time is flying by. But I, I'm making a note. We're definitely coming back to that because that is something that almost everybody in your generation can relate to, especially with the pressure of social media giving us aspirations of what life should look like. But God's plans are so much higher. His ways are higher than our ways, his thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and his path is better. We'll, have more on that from Dacey Triplett Right on the other side of this break, don't go away.
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Testimony by Terrian: This is the moment where everything turns didn't think I would see it was hard to believe Heaven crashes to earth I've read the stories of all that you've done Parted the sea and set captives free Never thought I'd be one I am a living, breathing, walking testimony I am the living proof of what the Lord has done. Crazy but they can't take away my story.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back friends. That is testimony by Terrian And kudos to my team for picking the perfect song for my guest today. Man, we are literally listening to Dacey Triplett share her own story as a walking, breathing, living testimony that just exudes joy. If you've been listening from the beginning, you know that Dacey is a young woman born into a family who had no family history of achondroplasia. Dwarfism has that she's 3 foot 11 and has shared her journey. Growing up in a family of faith but still wrestling to accept herself as the way God made her. She shared her story in a book called nobody can be you better than you loving the person God created you to be. It's by again, Dacey Triplett. I encourage you to get a copy and to really be encouraged by her story.
Releasing Comparison and Chasing God-Sized Dreams in Bluegrass and Music Industries
And Dacey we were just talking about how right before the break you were saying how you based your dreams for your life on what you thought other people's dreams were, maybe even for your own life. So I'm gonna let you pick it up right back there.
Dacey Triplett: Yeah, of course. And it goes right back into the comparison aspect of I was, I had no idea what I wanted to do in life, but like I knew what everybody else's Life looked like around me. and even like, my parents are amazing and I'm m so thankful for them, but I compared my story to their story a lot. My parents got married really young and they had babies really young and both lived this small town life. And that's honestly what I wanted. I wanted to get married really young and I wanted to have babies really young. And then when I turned the age that I was, that my mom was, when she had my older brother and I was not married and did not have any children, I was like, okay, Dacey what's your story gonna be? Because apparently it's not looking like your mom's story or it's not looking like your younger sister's story. Like, Dacey this is your story. and so when you release that aspect of comparison, I think it. I'm a big dreamer. I dream big. And I tell people all the time, like, don't put God in a box. Dream, God sized dreams. and I do. He let some of them come true and some of them we're still waiting on or he might have said no to. But, like, just thinking, like, writing this book has been a dream. Like, I can remember back in like the fifth grade, I used to love to write, like short stories, but, like, realistically I lived in a small town. Like, I was never gonna do that and nobody else around me wanted to do that. Like, everybody else growing up, like, they wanted me. Sports, huge aspect, huge aspect of my life growing up, they taught me a lot, but like, I knew I was never going to go compete in sports and like the college level or professional level. But that's like, what everybody talked about. I mean, you live in a small town in the south and like every Friday night spent on some sort of ball field. But like, my dreams didn't fit those. And so now looking at 24 year old Dacey like, fully chasing my dreams with God right beside me, like, I get to. I love music and I've always loved music. And God has opened up a door for me to work in the bluegrass industry when never would have thought possible. And, getting the bluegrass industry isn't technically a Christian industry. And so a lot of people wonder why I would choose that industry. But it gives me the straight path to be a light for Christ there. and like I said earlier, I'm, the least expected person to be confident. So when I'm working with these artists or bands and they see a confidence radiate off of me, I automatically get to point it back to Christ. so I just think, like, don't forget what. This is an encouragement I have for you. Don't forget what your dreams are. Chasing other people's dreams because their dreams were never meant for you. You have a complete different purpose and plan than the person beside you. And I just think and look back on my life at, ah.
Parental Guidance for Children Facing Differences and Trusting God's Intentional Design
If I would have just stayed in that bubble or stayed in that box that I thought I was meant to be in, I would have missed so many blessings from God.
Dr. Jessica Peck: M. You know, Dacey you mentioned earlier that these are not problems that are unique to girls or to women. Boys, men, have these same struggles. And I'm just thinking of parents right now who have boys who are growing, who are different in some way. Whether that's, you know, a. A diagnosis, a physical thing, you know, whatever it is, whatever disability or limitation they may. They may have. And I'm thinking about how in some ways, it's almost easier for girls to talk about this. I mean, to call for your girlfriend to call you up and say, hey, come to retreat, and let's talk about this. I mean, can you imagine that happening with teenage boys? Hey, dude, why don't we go to this retreat where, like, these. I mean, I just don't see that happening as much. And so I really want to say that. That what you're saying, you know, if you're a parent, if you're a grandparent, if you're a caregiver of a teenage boy, a young man, they have. We all have these same issues. These are just human issues that are in the heart of men. And. And you write in. In the book a lot, Dacey about your parents and this. The support that they gave you. So thinking and looking back at what they did there, knowing that there are parents listening now who are shepherd. Shepherding their kids through similar struggles to what you've had, whether they're girls, whether they're boys, whether, you know, they have physical dis. Whatever the case may be, that they just feel like they're different. What would you say? What did your parents do that was really encouraging. Maybe they didn't see that at the time, but now looking back at, you know, young lady, Dacey author Dacey like, seeing you step fully into God's plan, how would you encourage those parents to step alongside their children and continue to shepherd their journey?
Dacey Triplett: Yeah, and, I always say this of, like, you talking about how, like. Like, it's for everyone like this, look, yes, I have dwarfism, and my difference is very easily seen, like, by the eye. But everyone in their life has felt different at some point. So it's for everyone. Girl, guy, dwarf, not dwarf. Whoever you are, it can be for you. And so going back to the advice of like, for a parent, one thing that are a few things that stick out to me like, oh, what my parents did. My parents never limited me. They weren't going to tell me no that I couldn't try something because of my difference. They let me try it. I may have failed, but they let me try it. And they just, they never, this was a great foundation for me. They never treated me like I was any different. Like I had to find out I was different by going out into the world. Like, if I would have stayed around my family and friends my whole life, I would have never, I don't know if I would ever recognize that I was any different. And so, yeah, those are two huge ones. And then even like today I'm 24, my mom still gives me advice. But like every time like I'm in Daisy's head of like, or I sink back to that like 13, 17 year old Dacey of like, oh, you're just not enough. You're not enough, you're not pretty enough. You're never gonna get the guy. You're gonna die alone. Like whenever those thoughts like come back to my mind, my mom always is very sympathetic with me. But she also reminds me that Dacey like, who's in control and to constantly trust the Lord. And I, I don't have a magic answer to it and everyone's story is different. But I can tell you that like trusting him is so important because, I mentioned Proverbs 3, like 5 through 6 earlier is like, truly there are days I do not understand. I don't understand why I was born with chondroplasia. I don't understand why I'm 24 and have never dated someone before. And when that's been such a desire on my heart, I don't understand that all the time. But I can always trust him and I can always trust that his plans are better. And so even whatever your difference may be, whether it's part of your personality, whether it's a physical difference, whether it's this quirk you have that you don't think anybody else understands and you don't know how you're going to make it to the next day, let me just remind you that there's a really amazing artist that he intentionally made you the way that you were supposed to be made. another one of favorite scriptures of mine that I lean into this scripture, probably right under Proverbs 3. 5, but, talking about Isaiah 64. 8. And it says, but now, Lord, thou art our Father, we are the clay, and thou art the potter, and we are all the work of thy hand. Like, that's not. Yes, I think that's talking 100% physically. But I also think about the plans for our lives. Like, those are the work of God. Like, we are the clay, and he is the potter.
Living in the Present Moment and Embracing God's Plan Despite Life's Uncertainties
He has formed it way before us. He knows what comes before us. He's there. So if we live for, like, a parent with a child that's struggling with that, don't let them lose the joy of today, focusing so much on what might happen tomorrow. because we're not promised tomorrow. Life's a vapor. And so I think about that a lot in my own life and, like, advice that I hope I get to give to my future kids one day of, like, we to be present. I think if you're present in life and you're in the moment and you're enjoying the moment, you forget about those differences or you forget about what you don't have and you're reminded of what you do have. And, like, yes, I could be so focused on being 3 11. I could be so focused on being single and not a mom yet. But then I would miss every opportunity the Lord has in my life right now. I would have missed this book that I have coming out. I would have missed, so many opportunities, getting to interview some of my, like, heroes in the music industry. And I would have missed all that because I was too focused on the things that may never come. And so that those are just pieces of advice that if your kids come into you wondering, like, why or how is this ever going to work out, just remind them to trust him and to remember that today is the most important day to think about.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Dacey the scripture that you embody to me is that the joy of the Lord is your strength. You have so much joy just radiating from up inside your soul, and you share with such a confidence. And I told you, even when we were talking in the break, that you speak with such a wisdom beyond your years. And it's beautiful. And, you know, as we as parents are listening, it doesn't matter. It could be a physical disability, just like you said. It could be something that they don't have. It could be their circumstances. Why does my family have money troubles? Why do we have relationship troubles? Why is my family divorced? All of those things. It's. It's God's Circumstances and the way that he created you in this moment, for this time. And one of my favorite verses that I share all the time, Dacey comes from Psalm 84:11. The Lord God is a son and a shield. He gives grace and glory. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. And some things that we can see is a trial, a tribulation, a pain, something undesirable God uses for our good and for his glory. And there is something so exciting and so just incredible about stepping into that, and I am so grateful to see that you have stepped into that.
Spiritual Disciplines: The Power of Prayer and Christian Community for Sustained Faith
What do you do every day to keep your faith strong? What do you. What are some of the spiritual disciplines that you think are important for young people to have to keep you grounded and to keep your faith that vibrant?
Dacey Triplett: Of course. Prayer. Prayer is my number one to, like, number one, go to. And I tell people all the time, it's. If you read the book, you're like, dang, this girl, she's good. She's got it. She never struggles with confidence anymore. But it is truly a daily surrender. Like, I'll be very open and honest with y'. All. I was struggling last night with being happy where my life is. And you, you're like, that's crazy. Like, you're getting ready to release a book at 24. And, the enemy got in my head of everything I didn't have instead of the things I did. And so I think prayer is one of the most important tools. Like, we are given a hotline to Christ anytime we want it, and we abuse it. We take it for granted a lot of times. And I just. That is when I'm struggling today, knowing that I can go to the One who created me with this difference and ask him, and he comforts me. And so that, definitely prayer. And then also surrounding yourself with other Christian community. I think that we. With social media and the aspects of social media, it's easy to, like, be social but also be very isolated. And so I, Surrounding yourself with Christian community, Christian friends, that one will hold you accountable. Like, when you're. When I'm. I have one friend. Her name's Grace. And when I'm down in the dumps or, like, I'm feeling sorry for myself, she reminds me of how far the Lord's brought me, and she reminds me to not slip back into those old ways, but she's also there to love me and support me and laugh with me and go on these crazy dreams with me. And so I think having Christian community is such A gift from God. And he doesn't want us to be alone. He says it in the Bible that it's not good for man to be alone. And so I think prayer, remembering who is there with you no matter what, at any time of the day, 24, 7, 365 days of a year, he's there and he's ready to listen, and he wants to listen. That was something I struggled with growing up of, I didn't want to burden God with my little problems like he had. M. I even I said that, and that just came back. I said that into a prayer last night of, like, God, this is so little compared to what you got to worry about. And God wants to hear him little, big whatever it is. He wants you to come. You're his daughter, you're his son. He wants you to come to him just like you would your earthly parents. And so really, prayer and surrounding yourself with Christian community would be two things that I highly advise and that helped me daily.
Final Encouragement: We Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by God, the Master Potter
Dr. Jessica Peck: That's absolutely beautiful. As well as digging into God's word. I know that you do that because it just, just overflows from your heart and it is all in your speech. Dacey I thank you so much for sharing your family, sharing your story, and encouraging families to look at themselves through the lens of God's beautiful creation. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. And for those listening, consider something you can carry into your home this week. What is a quality in your child that deserves encouragement? How can we speak with gratitude about the way God made us? The book is nobody can be you better than you. May the Lord bless you and keep you. I'll see you tomorrow.
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: Hello and welcome to the Dr. Nurse Mama show prescribing Hope for healthy Families here on American Family Radio. Here's your host, professor, pediatric nurse practitioner and mom of four, Dr. Jessica Peck.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well hey there friends and welcome to my favorite time of day getting to spend time with you prescribing Hope for healthy Families.
Navigating Social Pressures and the Impact of Comparison on Confidence and Identity
Listen, I hope that you will stay tuned. We have got such an encouraging message for you today and something that a lot of parents are facing now. Have you ever, if you have m a daughter, preteen, teenage, a granddaughter, a niece, someone you love, have you ever watched them get ready for something that they were excited about and then just seen her confidence change after a few minutes on a phone, after a text message, after a social interaction. Maybe she liked her outfit until she saw somebody else's outfit. She felt good about what she accomplished until somebody else's accomplishment somehow seemed bigger or better. Or maybe you even recognize that in yourself. Comparison is said to be the thief of joy. And I agree with that. And it enters these ordinary moments in our lives and convinces us that something about our lives, our bodies, our personalities, our circumstances, need to change before we can feel content and certainly before we can feel joy. Growing up has always involved questions about identity and belonging. That's why older generations have so much wisdom still to speak into younger generations, even though the modern context has changed the feelings haven't. Kids notice these differences early between themselves and their peers. And as they move towards those teenage years, fitting in becomes increasingly important. They're learning who am I while trying to understand who are the other people in my life and how do we walk together as God designed it. Relationship and these messages that the culture is giving are confusing. Be yourself, but follow these trends. Love your body, but here's the things that you should fix about your body according to this app that just scored your face. Be confident. But hey, keep checking to make sure other people approve because you don't want to get canceled. We tell our kids they're wonderfully made, and the world continually offers them a different version of themselves to pursue. That tension follows us into adulthood. We may know those words of Psalm 139, that we're fearfully and wonderfully made and still struggle to receive them personally. And for families, this is just an important opportunity to think about today, for this next hour that we're together, the messages that we're communicating at home about identity and belonging. What are we celebrating? What are our kids hearing us say about our own appearance, our abilities, our limitations?
Introducing Guest Dacey Triplett and Her Journey of Embracing Why God Made Her Different
Are we helping them recognize the worth of the whole person, their character, their creativity, their kindness, their capacity to love? And when something is genuinely hard, can we acknowledge that difficulty, the reality of that situation, while also reminding them that their value is unchanged in the eyes of God? Today's guest brings a deeply personal perspective to these questions. I'm so honored to welcome Dacey Triplett today. Now, Dacey was born with a condition called achondroplasia dwarfism, and her journey has included wrestling with why God made her different. And she has written a book about this, Nobody can be better than you. It is such an uplifting, empowering account where she shares how growing in her love for God helped her embrace the person that he created her to be. So we're going to talk about comparison, biblical confidence, learning to recognize purpose in the parts of ourselves that maybe if we're really honest, we wish we're different. So if you're raising A child who struggles to fit in. If you're encouraging someone who just maybe feels like they're just never quite enough, or you're just carrying those questions yourself, I hope that you will stay with us.
Dacey's Early Life and Family Support in Navigating Her Unique Physical Differences
Dacey is from Ferguson, North Carolina, and she is here with us live today. Dacey I am so honored and grateful that you're spending time with us today. Welcome, welcome, welcome.
Dacey Triplett: Well, thank you so much, Jessica, for having me on the Doctor Nurse mom show. It is such an honor. And I'm so excited just to talk to everyone today about what the Lord has done in my story. And it's just a full testimony of him. But, no, thank you so much for having me, Jessica.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, Dacey I am so glad that you're going to share your story. I know you've probably shared it so many times that that doesn't necessarily make it any easier to share some of the harder parts of your story. But my goodness, reading it, I will tell you, your story has encouraged me so much. And so I would love to give you an invitation just to share your story with our listeners.
Dacey Triplett: Yeah, of course. Well, Jessica, that means the world that you've read it. And even though we look, both of us look very different, the fact that you can relate to it is so important. But, yeah, like, guys, like Jessica said, my name is Dacey Triplett. born in North Carolina. Y' all can probably hear it in the accent. I love it. And I was born with achondroplasia, dwarfism. and for, like, medical terms, that really just means that I have shorter limbs. I'm 24 and I'm only about 3 11, so it looks very different than your average, 24 year old. But so my story starts, with my parents. My parents are average height and so is everyone else in my family. I was the only little person to be born in my family. I always joke and this is like, always my one liner in my story, but my brother's like 63 and I'm 3 11. And
Dr. Jessica Peck: that's a big difference.
Dacey Triplett: Very drastic difference. Very drastic difference. So, yeah, my parents had 1 in 25,000 chances of having me. and they never expected for their little girl to have dwarfism because, I mean, why would they? dwarfism doesn't run in our family at all. And so that's where my story began of being born into a world not made for me. And growing up, I always said, like, growing up wasn't that hard because, like, we're all little when we're growing up, like, everybody's like, little Kids. And so I didn't notice my own difference that much. And my parents were always so good to, like, raise me just the same as my siblings.
Adolescent Struggles with Self-Image and the Internal Conflict of Questioning God's Plan
like I said, I have an older brother and a younger sister, and, like, one of their goals was to always raise me the same way. They didn't want my difference to stop me in any way, or they didn't want me to use my difference as an excuse not to try something. And so I am so thankful for that. They raised me like that because it would be easy to cower down and, like, shy away from things being different than everyone around you. But thankfully, my family and my friends have always pushed me to never let that stop me. so that's where it started. And then growing up, like Jessica was mentioning earlier, as we get a little older, becoming a teenager, preteen, those are some hard years. And, that's when I really began to notice my physical difference. I started going to middle school, and that's when girls and guys start caring more about how they look. Or girls and guys start changing more then. And, clothes become more popular and people's opinions in general become more popular. And that's when you start. Girls start liking boys and boys start liking girls. So you just. Everything, I think, becomes. Becomes magnified in your eyes more. And so I remember going into middle school, and I can remember looking at my friends when we came back that summer. I was like, what happened to y'?
Dr. Jessica Peck: All?
Dacey Triplett: That did not happen to me. And because it was like, everybody grew up but me, like, I just felt like I still looked the exact same. And I can remember being so hard on myself. I was so hard on myself that I felt like I had to make up for that 2ft of height that I was missing. Like, I mean, average, girls, I think, are like five foot something. And so being 3 11, like, 3, 9ish, probably in middle school, like, I was like, okay, if I'm going to be a dwarf, how do I make up for it? Like, how do I make. How can I make people almost forget that I'm a dwarf? And so my mindset became, okay, I have to be the funniest. Like, I, have to make the first short joke in the room so every laughs with me and not at me. I need to have the best clothes. I need to dress in the trendy ways so, like, maybe they'll see my outfit and forget about the dwarf part. Or I need to be the skinniest. Because if I'm going to be a dwarf, I cannot be A chubby dwarf. I was tough on myself. I was really tough on myself. I was my own biggest critic. And that's when the question's more so of like, like, why God? And I grew up in a Christian household, thank God and have, I don't remember a life without God. And that's one of the things I'm most thankful for. And I was like, I went to Christian school. Like, I was your Jesus girl, so I was not supposed to question God. So I put a really good face on of like, oh, I love who God made me to be. I love who God made me. He has a purpose for it. Like, it's okay, like, I'm strong enough to handle it. but really deep down I really wanted to know why he chose me. And with that just became questions. And then honestly, my self confidence was just non existent.
Considering Physical Changes and the Realization of Confidence Rooted in External Factors
And, it came to the point of where I even had considered, having limb lengthening surgery. I wanted to change who God made me to be because I was like, there's. I cannot see the good in it right now. And I just tell everybody I was wanting to be anyone but Dacey Like, I wanted to be that girl beside me that the guys liked. I wanted, I wanted to be. I wanted to be the it girl. To be honest. Like, I wanted to be the popular girl. But in my mind, I would never be that because popular girls didn't look like me. And so, I had considered doing limb lengthening and I changed my mind and I decided not to have limb lengthening, which I do. I know several people that have made that decision and has bettered their life for them. but for me, I think it was a true blessing that God changed my direction. because now looking back at like, younger Dacey like, I don't even. Yes, my dwarfism is a part of me. It's not my identity. But I honestly don't even know who Dacey would be if I wasn't who I am. And so continued on that journey. And like you said earlier, like, comparison is really hard. And it is something. Like I compared. I mean, even a damn 24. Like, there's still days that I compare myself. And so just tried to get through it the best I could. And I was your happy, go lucky girl. I didn't want m people to feel the burden that I felt, of like my dwarfism. So I did. I kept a lot of it in. And so I was your happy go lucky girl throughout high school and middle school. And no one around me would have ever believed that I didn't love who I was. And so then Covid hit, and I graduated high school the year of Cove and, oh, my goodness. Yeah, crazy time. Crazy time. It was tough. It was like, you're there one day, and I haven't seen some of the people I graduated since. but so I graduated, and then we went to being completely, like, isolated. Like, the only people I really saw was my family. And then I realized how much of my confidence was rooted in the opinions of people around me, because I went from being constantly surrounded by people to not being surrounded at all. And I was like, dang. All my confidence was. Confidence was placed in what that boy thought about me or how that. What the scale said or who wanted to be my friend that day. And that was like. My confidence was so shaky because it was so up and down because I was rooting it in things that change every day, like the scale. I mean, as women, I think weight is something we all have struggled with. The scale changes every day. If you weigh in the morning, you're gonna weigh differently in the night. And that was something I was rooting my confidence in. And I love my guys. I love my. I have. So some of my best friends are guys, but guys change their mind on the minute.
Dr. Jessica Peck: I won't argue. I won't argue.
Dacey Triplett: And so it's like, no wonder, Dacey that you struggled with confidence, because you were placing it in things that we're always changing and not in the one who never changes.
A Retreat Weekend Leads to a Shift in Perspective on Confidence and God's Plan
so kind of had that realization was in a very repetitive season of life. Like, I was going to the. I was working at the Y, opening the Y every morning, working out, and coming home. And that's what my life consisted of. And one of my good high school friends messaged me. And this was about a year later after Covid. And she was like, hey, girl, we need to get out. Like, we need to go do something fun. She was like, there's this retreat up in Black Mountain, North Carolina. It's like a bunch of Christian girls. a girl we knew on Instagram who's now a personal friend of mine, but Grace Valentine was hosting it, and she was like, I think we should go. Like, I think we should go. And I was like, you know what? I'm not doing anything better with my life right now. Like, let's. Let's go. And so we hopped in the car and we went. And I can honestly say that weekend shifted my confidence. That was the weekend my confidence changed.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Dacey I'm going to hold you right There we are already at our first break.
The Pivotal Retreat Experience and Discovering God Confidence as the Foundation for Self-Confidence
But I cannot wait to hear how. To hear what happened and how your life has changed. Because it's one thing to have the story of your life and to hold the story of your life to yourself, but you have decided to share that story with all of us. And something happened along the way to give you the courage and the perspective to do that. And I want to hear more, more about that. Listen, Daisy's story gives families room to acknowledge that feeling different can be hard. And we can bring those questions honestly to God. When we come back, we'll keep talking about the pressure to compare and what it means to build confidence in our identity in Christ. We'll be right back. Hello, I'm Jessica peck, host of Dr. Nurse Mama. Ah. Did you know that this content is listener supported?
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Better Is One Day by Matt Redman: How lovely is your dwelling place, oh Lord Almighty. My soul longs and even flames for you. For here my heart is satisfied within your presence I, stand beneath the shadow of your wings. Better is a one day day in your court Better is one day in your house Better is one day in your court Thousands, elsewhere. Better is one day in your course Better is one day in your house Better is one day in your course Thousands elsewhere.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back, friends. That is Better is one day by Matt Redman And that's exactly what we're talking about today is Better is one day in God's plan than thousands elsewhere. I'm talking to author Dacey Triplett today, and she is a remarkable young woman. She was born with a condition called achondroplasia dwarfism. And she's been sharing her personal story and she has shared that story in a book called Nobody can be better than you. And she was just sharing her story about growing up and in a household of faith, but still having questions. Why did God make her this way? Why did she have to be different? What did that mean for her life? And. And just some of the hard things that come along with that. And right before the break, she was just telling us after graduating during Cove which my sympathies to anyone. Dacey that's so hard. I had a, One of my kids graduated in the midst of Cove and that was so hard. I remember her coming to me one day and saying, you know, everything that you told me about how the world was gonna work in these days is not true. I don't know if I'm going to college. I am. I have no social life there. Forget graduation, there's no prom, there's no nothing. Like, I really don't know if I can trust what you say. That shook me as a mom, Dacey And you talked about living in the isolation of that a friend calling you and saying, hey, let's go on a retreat. And you went up to the retreat, and I'm going to let you pick it up right there.
Dacey Triplett: Yeah, of course. so, yeah, picking right off for left. we're heading up to the retreat in Black Mountain, North Carolina, hosted by Grace Valentine, and had no idea what to expect. I just signed up for this randomly because I wanted some, I wanted to be social, and I just wanted the life to feel a little normal again. And so I walked into that retreat center and I saw all these girls that were, like, the girls that I wanted to look like. I was like, these girls can't understand. Like, they. Yes, they say they struggle and stuff, but I'm like, they do not understand what it is like to be in my shoes. And so. But then, like, just the girls were so sweet, and I was like, okay, this is going to be a good weekend. And I can remember at one of the first sessions, we walk in and the speaker was sitting, like, in the audience. And I knew of her from some other things. I was speaking to her and I was like, ah, like, she is beautiful. Like, she's beautiful. She's athletic. She's dressed, like, so cute. I was like that. Like, if I could put myself in someone else's body, that's who I'd want to be. And I was like. And it's just. There's no way she's ever understood how it's felt to, like, feel like you can't eat a sweet treat or you will automatically become ugly. Or like that your relationship with food's terrible or that you've never seen yourself really as beautiful. There's no way she's ever felt like that. And to my surprise, she got up on the stage and that was like, some of the first words out of her mouth was that she had struggled with an eating disorder for a long time. And that, her body image comparison, like, relationship had been so bad at points of her life. And I was like, what? Like, how? If you're struggling with that, I'm down bad because you were like, you were the girl I wanted to be. and like you're telling me you struggle with the same things that I struggled with. And she went on to talk and her talk was amazing and like, her name's Kat Schultz and just an awesome girl if you ever need encouragement. But she, went on and concluded her talk with these words and they honestly changed my perspective online forever. And she was like, the reason I didn't have self confidence is because I had no God confidence.
Embracing God's Purpose and the Transformation of Self-Perception and Life Opportunities
And I was like, Dacey that is it. You have no self confidence because you're not confident in the one who made you. You're not confident that he'd have planned for it. You're not confident that, that he's going to work it out. You're not confident that he didn't make a mistake. That is why your self confidence is non existent. And you think you have these bits of confidence, but it changes like that. Like I said earlier, it's gone. It's your third one minute and gone the next. And because I was placing it in things that were constantly changing, they didn't care about how Dacey felt. They didn't. That's not, wasn't their goal. But the Lord never changes. And that's where I was lacking. And so from that day forward, I'm not going to tell you, like I left that retreat and never struggled with self confidence again. But my perspective on life changed and I was like, you know what, Daisy? Like, you do serve a God that doesn't make mistakes. He only makes masterpieces. And that's the key. He didn't make a mistake. So if he didn't make a mistake, there's a purpose and a reason that he allowed you to have achondroplasia. Dwarfism. You may not understand it, but, but that's why proverbs, 3, 5, 6 is. One of my favorite parts of scripture is that we are called to lean not on our own, our own understandings, but his understanding. And that's a lot of days, that's what I have to do. I don't always understand why I'm a little person, but through placing my confidence in him, he's helped me to fall in love with who he made me to be. And ever since that day, guys, I would just say the minute I became confident in God and in who he made me do, who he made me to be, that is when he just kept opening up doors, he was like, Dacey finally you let go. And now we can have fun with this.
Sharing a Personal Story and Embracing Public Vulnerability as a Testimony to God's Faithfulness
You can see the purpose and the Beauty that I've seen in it the whole time. And so that is one of the main reasons that if you choose to get my book, nobody, can be you better than you. I would have never written that book if I would have never trusted him. and then, crazy to think, like, my job nowadays is I interview people. I interview people in the bluegrass industry and the motorsports industry. And as, someone who is so unconfident, it's hard for me to believe some days that that's what I do for a living. Because someone who just wanted to kind of blend in as much as she can, now it's like she takes that difference, and it helps her truly become who she's meant to be. and so that is the short clip of Daisy's story, but, just really the focus of it. I always want to be the Lord and his faithfulness and that he took something that I thought was a bad thing, but now I thank him for it. I used to ask him why, and now I praise him for making me different. Because I wouldn't want to be anyone but Dacey
Dr. Jessica Peck: Oh, Dacey you are such an encouragement and such a breath of joy and. And fresh life. I mean, really so encouraging. And the book is called nobody can be you better than you. I think I said it wrong earlier. I'm so sorry about that.
Dacey Triplett: Nobody it is.
Dr. Jessica Peck: But that's okay. Nobody can be you better than you loving the person God created you to be. I think this would be an amazing young, read for young women everywhere. Because, honestly, Dacey I'm picturing you walking into that conference and seeing the speaker and thinking, oh, my goodness, like, I want to be like you. I truly believe that the joy that you radiate, the confidence that you have and living out who God made you to be, that is going to make young women look at you and think, okay, if you can do that, I can do that too. And it's. It's God's grace and the irony that it's through our weaknesses that his strength is made perfect. And so something that you thought, you know, was, was difficult for you, God sees as good, and I see him using that as good for your life. And, Dacey you know, I mean, it's one thing to. Like I said, it's one thing to have your personal story and to know that God has done this in your life and that you have, you know, had a gradual transformation here, that you had a pivotal moment and that God has taken you on a journey in a different direction. It is a whole Nother thing to step out on a public platform like this. I mean, here you are on live radio and say, hey, here's my innermost, really vulnerable thoughts and here's my fears, and here's my you. You know, all of my. Just everything that you're putting out there. What gave you the courage to step into such a spotlight, to share your story in such a public way? Where does that kind of confidence come from?
Dacey Triplett: Yeah, no, of course, like I said, if you would ask me that a few years ago, I'd been like, I don't even know Jessica. But it's funny, it's been a journey. My life has been in the public for a bit. I've had the amazing opportunity to film on a reality TV show called the Seven Little Johnsons on tlc. And I can remember, around this same time in my life I was gaining a lot of followers from that. And I was like, you know what I was like, I was private on everything because I was like, nobody needs to know my business. I was private on everything. And God just opened my heart. And he was like, Dacey like, I'm putting all these people at your fingertips that you could share the gospel with. And I was like, you know what, we're gonna go for it. And so really taking that leap of I made all my, social medias and stuff public. And it was terrifying at first because I was like, everyone's gonna know everything in my life. And I was like, I don't know if I'm gonna like that. but then through that it's just, it's been such a easy way for me to share my story. And, and that's what I think about all the time is like, social media has its really bad parts and it has its really good parts of. I think you can like a girl that may be watching on the screen in who knows where may see me. Because I, when you see me, Jessica, I'm not expected to be a confident person. Like when someone sees me in public, I'm like, and you're going to ask the room, like, who do you think the most confident person is in this room? And, and most likely they're not going to choose me. and I think that is why it's such a testimony to Christ, because I'm not the one that's supposed to be confident. But oftentimes in a non arrogant way, I'm the most confident person in the room. And it's so that girl or even guys, I think guys struggle with self confidence. Way more than they ever put out in the public. Guys are taught to be tough and keep their feelings kind of to themselves. But I think guys struggle with self confidence just as much as girls. A lot of times, girls are just more verbal about it. And so that's why I'm like. If they can see that, like, even in the midst of my difference, my physical difference, like my quirks, my personality, that I can be confident, I hope it gives them the confidence that they can be confident in who God made them to be. Because my life looks different than everyone around me. I even like physical and not physical. I mean, I, Like, we've said, like, I'm 311 in a world that's not made for that, so of course that looks different. But I also. I'm 24 and I wrote a book. That was my career. And then I work in the bluegrass music industry. That lifestyle does not look like a lot of other people's around me. And so I think for a long time, I would have stepped away from that because it didn't look. Whatever. It didn't look like what everyone else is around me look like. And I just think of all the missed joys that we could have from that of just seeking to look like everyone else around us when God never made us to be the person beside us.
Encouraging Others to Celebrate Their Uniqueness and Aim Higher Than Mere Acceptance
He made us to be us. And so really, that thinking about the young girls, the young guys, the girls and guys my age and thinking about them was what really helped me to take the public step of, like, you know what? God gave me a story to tell. And if it can help the good, the bad, the ugly, whatever it is, if it can help someone else become more confident in who God made them to be a little earlier than I did, then it's all worth it.
Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, it's so inspiring to me to listen to you talk, Dacey because when I'm listening to the early part of your story, you're talking about struggling to fit in. How can I blend in? How can I look like the girl next to me? How can I act like the people around me? How can I conform to people's expectations? How can I stay in the background? Or how can I compensate for these things that I view as deficiencies? I mean, that that's what you're sharing with us. Like, okay, I, may be 3:11, so I better look more fashionable. And, you have just done a complete 180. It's not. You're not talking about coming to peace with those things, accepting those things, just, okay, that's the way that it is. I'm okay with that. You are projecting, celebrating those things, being the most confident person in the room. I mean, even in looking at the COVID of your book, if anybody would look at the COVID you have a picture of you standing there just looking incredibly confident. Confident. You know, nobody can be you better than you.
Dr. Jessica Peck: How.
Dr. Jessica Peck: How would you encourage other people who maybe haven't gotten there, who are just trying to get to that point of acceptance, and they think, okay, well, if I could just accept that this is the way God made me, then I'd be happy. How can you aspire them to aim higher than that and say, no, don't just accept it. Step into God's plan for you and celebrate it and, and, and stand, you know, shout that from the mountaintops? I think that's incredibly inspiring.
Dacey Triplett: Yeah. No, to encourage you, I, first, my biggest encouragement is don't let your self worth be based on what people are saying about you. Based it on what the Lord says about you. And so, and that was, you mentioned the scripture earlier about Psalms 139. And the Lord says, we're fearfully and wonderfully made. And so I think about it all the time. This really changed my perspective on it. I was. When I would look in the mirror, I was my biggest critic. I was pointing out, Jessica, like the slightest things, like a shadow on my face automatically would make me feel chubbier. And I was picking those out and I was picking myself apart. And it hit me of one day of light. Dacey you're not critiquing yourself. You're critiquing the artist who created you. And I just want that encouraged me more than anything to be like I was made intentionally. And I think when you can realize that, that it. Not in an arrogant way, but it lets. It allows you to believe that you have a purpose. And another just big encouragement for the listener is I, for so long based my opinions and desires and like my dreams on the dreams of people around me.
God's Higher Plans and the Importance of Living in the Present Moment
Dr. Jessica Peck: Oh, I'm gonna hold you right there. We're already at our second break. Our time is flying by. But I, I'm making a note. We're definitely coming back to that because that is something that almost everybody in your generation can relate to, especially with the pressure of social media giving us aspirations of what life should look like. But God's plans are so much higher. His ways are higher than our ways, his thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and his path is better. We'll, have more on that from Dacey Triplett Right on the other side of this break, don't go away.
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Testimony by Terrian: This is the moment where everything turns didn't think I would see it was hard to believe Heaven crashes to earth I've read the stories of all that you've done Parted the sea and set captives free Never thought I'd be one I am a living, breathing, walking testimony I am the living proof of what the Lord has done. Crazy but they can't take away my story.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back friends. That is testimony by Terrian And kudos to my team for picking the perfect song for my guest today. Man, we are literally listening to Dacey Triplett share her own story as a walking, breathing, living testimony that just exudes joy. If you've been listening from the beginning, you know that Dacey is a young woman born into a family who had no family history of achondroplasia. Dwarfism has that she's 3 foot 11 and has shared her journey. Growing up in a family of faith but still wrestling to accept herself as the way God made her. She shared her story in a book called nobody can be you better than you loving the person God created you to be. It's by again, Dacey Triplett. I encourage you to get a copy and to really be encouraged by her story.
Releasing Comparison and Chasing God-Sized Dreams in Bluegrass and Music Industries
And Dacey we were just talking about how right before the break you were saying how you based your dreams for your life on what you thought other people's dreams were, maybe even for your own life. So I'm gonna let you pick it up right back there.
Dacey Triplett: Yeah, of course. And it goes right back into the comparison aspect of I was, I had no idea what I wanted to do in life, but like I knew what everybody else's Life looked like around me. and even like, my parents are amazing and I'm m so thankful for them, but I compared my story to their story a lot. My parents got married really young and they had babies really young and both lived this small town life. And that's honestly what I wanted. I wanted to get married really young and I wanted to have babies really young. And then when I turned the age that I was, that my mom was, when she had my older brother and I was not married and did not have any children, I was like, okay, Dacey what's your story gonna be? Because apparently it's not looking like your mom's story or it's not looking like your younger sister's story. Like, Dacey this is your story. and so when you release that aspect of comparison, I think it. I'm a big dreamer. I dream big. And I tell people all the time, like, don't put God in a box. Dream, God sized dreams. and I do. He let some of them come true and some of them we're still waiting on or he might have said no to. But, like, just thinking, like, writing this book has been a dream. Like, I can remember back in like the fifth grade, I used to love to write, like short stories, but, like, realistically I lived in a small town. Like, I was never gonna do that and nobody else around me wanted to do that. Like, everybody else growing up, like, they wanted me. Sports, huge aspect, huge aspect of my life growing up, they taught me a lot, but like, I knew I was never going to go compete in sports and like the college level or professional level. But that's like, what everybody talked about. I mean, you live in a small town in the south and like every Friday night spent on some sort of ball field. But like, my dreams didn't fit those. And so now looking at 24 year old Dacey like, fully chasing my dreams with God right beside me, like, I get to. I love music and I've always loved music. And God has opened up a door for me to work in the bluegrass industry when never would have thought possible. And, getting the bluegrass industry isn't technically a Christian industry. And so a lot of people wonder why I would choose that industry. But it gives me the straight path to be a light for Christ there. and like I said earlier, I'm, the least expected person to be confident. So when I'm working with these artists or bands and they see a confidence radiate off of me, I automatically get to point it back to Christ. so I just think, like, don't forget what. This is an encouragement I have for you. Don't forget what your dreams are. Chasing other people's dreams because their dreams were never meant for you. You have a complete different purpose and plan than the person beside you. And I just think and look back on my life at, ah.
Parental Guidance for Children Facing Differences and Trusting God's Intentional Design
If I would have just stayed in that bubble or stayed in that box that I thought I was meant to be in, I would have missed so many blessings from God.
Dr. Jessica Peck: M. You know, Dacey you mentioned earlier that these are not problems that are unique to girls or to women. Boys, men, have these same struggles. And I'm just thinking of parents right now who have boys who are growing, who are different in some way. Whether that's, you know, a. A diagnosis, a physical thing, you know, whatever it is, whatever disability or limitation they may. They may have. And I'm thinking about how in some ways, it's almost easier for girls to talk about this. I mean, to call for your girlfriend to call you up and say, hey, come to retreat, and let's talk about this. I mean, can you imagine that happening with teenage boys? Hey, dude, why don't we go to this retreat where, like, these. I mean, I just don't see that happening as much. And so I really want to say that. That what you're saying, you know, if you're a parent, if you're a grandparent, if you're a caregiver of a teenage boy, a young man, they have. We all have these same issues. These are just human issues that are in the heart of men. And. And you write in. In the book a lot, Dacey about your parents and this. The support that they gave you. So thinking and looking back at what they did there, knowing that there are parents listening now who are shepherd. Shepherding their kids through similar struggles to what you've had, whether they're girls, whether they're boys, whether, you know, they have physical dis. Whatever the case may be, that they just feel like they're different. What would you say? What did your parents do that was really encouraging. Maybe they didn't see that at the time, but now looking back at, you know, young lady, Dacey author Dacey like, seeing you step fully into God's plan, how would you encourage those parents to step alongside their children and continue to shepherd their journey?
Dacey Triplett: Yeah, and, I always say this of, like, you talking about how, like. Like, it's for everyone like this, look, yes, I have dwarfism, and my difference is very easily seen, like, by the eye. But everyone in their life has felt different at some point. So it's for everyone. Girl, guy, dwarf, not dwarf. Whoever you are, it can be for you. And so going back to the advice of like, for a parent, one thing that are a few things that stick out to me like, oh, what my parents did. My parents never limited me. They weren't going to tell me no that I couldn't try something because of my difference. They let me try it. I may have failed, but they let me try it. And they just, they never, this was a great foundation for me. They never treated me like I was any different. Like I had to find out I was different by going out into the world. Like, if I would have stayed around my family and friends my whole life, I would have never, I don't know if I would ever recognize that I was any different. And so, yeah, those are two huge ones. And then even like today I'm 24, my mom still gives me advice. But like every time like I'm in Daisy's head of like, or I sink back to that like 13, 17 year old Dacey of like, oh, you're just not enough. You're not enough, you're not pretty enough. You're never gonna get the guy. You're gonna die alone. Like whenever those thoughts like come back to my mind, my mom always is very sympathetic with me. But she also reminds me that Dacey like, who's in control and to constantly trust the Lord. And I, I don't have a magic answer to it and everyone's story is different. But I can tell you that like trusting him is so important because, I mentioned Proverbs 3, like 5 through 6 earlier is like, truly there are days I do not understand. I don't understand why I was born with chondroplasia. I don't understand why I'm 24 and have never dated someone before. And when that's been such a desire on my heart, I don't understand that all the time. But I can always trust him and I can always trust that his plans are better. And so even whatever your difference may be, whether it's part of your personality, whether it's a physical difference, whether it's this quirk you have that you don't think anybody else understands and you don't know how you're going to make it to the next day, let me just remind you that there's a really amazing artist that he intentionally made you the way that you were supposed to be made. another one of favorite scriptures of mine that I lean into this scripture, probably right under Proverbs 3. 5, but, talking about Isaiah 64. 8. And it says, but now, Lord, thou art our Father, we are the clay, and thou art the potter, and we are all the work of thy hand. Like, that's not. Yes, I think that's talking 100% physically. But I also think about the plans for our lives. Like, those are the work of God. Like, we are the clay, and he is the potter.
Living in the Present Moment and Embracing God's Plan Despite Life's Uncertainties
He has formed it way before us. He knows what comes before us. He's there. So if we live for, like, a parent with a child that's struggling with that, don't let them lose the joy of today, focusing so much on what might happen tomorrow. because we're not promised tomorrow. Life's a vapor. And so I think about that a lot in my own life and, like, advice that I hope I get to give to my future kids one day of, like, we to be present. I think if you're present in life and you're in the moment and you're enjoying the moment, you forget about those differences or you forget about what you don't have and you're reminded of what you do have. And, like, yes, I could be so focused on being 3 11. I could be so focused on being single and not a mom yet. But then I would miss every opportunity the Lord has in my life right now. I would have missed this book that I have coming out. I would have missed, so many opportunities, getting to interview some of my, like, heroes in the music industry. And I would have missed all that because I was too focused on the things that may never come. And so that those are just pieces of advice that if your kids come into you wondering, like, why or how is this ever going to work out, just remind them to trust him and to remember that today is the most important day to think about.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Dacey the scripture that you embody to me is that the joy of the Lord is your strength. You have so much joy just radiating from up inside your soul, and you share with such a confidence. And I told you, even when we were talking in the break, that you speak with such a wisdom beyond your years. And it's beautiful. And, you know, as we as parents are listening, it doesn't matter. It could be a physical disability, just like you said. It could be something that they don't have. It could be their circumstances. Why does my family have money troubles? Why do we have relationship troubles? Why is my family divorced? All of those things. It's. It's God's Circumstances and the way that he created you in this moment, for this time. And one of my favorite verses that I share all the time, Dacey comes from Psalm 84:11. The Lord God is a son and a shield. He gives grace and glory. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. And some things that we can see is a trial, a tribulation, a pain, something undesirable God uses for our good and for his glory. And there is something so exciting and so just incredible about stepping into that, and I am so grateful to see that you have stepped into that.
Spiritual Disciplines: The Power of Prayer and Christian Community for Sustained Faith
What do you do every day to keep your faith strong? What do you. What are some of the spiritual disciplines that you think are important for young people to have to keep you grounded and to keep your faith that vibrant?
Dacey Triplett: Of course. Prayer. Prayer is my number one to, like, number one, go to. And I tell people all the time, it's. If you read the book, you're like, dang, this girl, she's good. She's got it. She never struggles with confidence anymore. But it is truly a daily surrender. Like, I'll be very open and honest with y'. All. I was struggling last night with being happy where my life is. And you, you're like, that's crazy. Like, you're getting ready to release a book at 24. And, the enemy got in my head of everything I didn't have instead of the things I did. And so I think prayer is one of the most important tools. Like, we are given a hotline to Christ anytime we want it, and we abuse it. We take it for granted a lot of times. And I just. That is when I'm struggling today, knowing that I can go to the One who created me with this difference and ask him, and he comforts me. And so that, definitely prayer. And then also surrounding yourself with other Christian community. I think that we. With social media and the aspects of social media, it's easy to, like, be social but also be very isolated. And so I, Surrounding yourself with Christian community, Christian friends, that one will hold you accountable. Like, when you're. When I'm. I have one friend. Her name's Grace. And when I'm down in the dumps or, like, I'm feeling sorry for myself, she reminds me of how far the Lord's brought me, and she reminds me to not slip back into those old ways, but she's also there to love me and support me and laugh with me and go on these crazy dreams with me. And so I think having Christian community is such A gift from God. And he doesn't want us to be alone. He says it in the Bible that it's not good for man to be alone. And so I think prayer, remembering who is there with you no matter what, at any time of the day, 24, 7, 365 days of a year, he's there and he's ready to listen, and he wants to listen. That was something I struggled with growing up of, I didn't want to burden God with my little problems like he had. M. I even I said that, and that just came back. I said that into a prayer last night of, like, God, this is so little compared to what you got to worry about. And God wants to hear him little, big whatever it is. He wants you to come. You're his daughter, you're his son. He wants you to come to him just like you would your earthly parents. And so really, prayer and surrounding yourself with Christian community would be two things that I highly advise and that helped me daily.
Final Encouragement: We Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by God, the Master Potter
Dr. Jessica Peck: That's absolutely beautiful. As well as digging into God's word. I know that you do that because it just, just overflows from your heart and it is all in your speech. Dacey I thank you so much for sharing your family, sharing your story, and encouraging families to look at themselves through the lens of God's beautiful creation. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. And for those listening, consider something you can carry into your home this week. What is a quality in your child that deserves encouragement? How can we speak with gratitude about the way God made us? The book is nobody can be you better than you. May the Lord bless you and keep you. I'll see you tomorrow.
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We'd like to thank our sponsors, including PreBorn. PreBorn has rescued over 400,000 babies from abortion and has seen over a hundred thousand commitments to Christ. Will you join PreBorn in continuing this good work supporting young moms in crisis? Save a life today. Go to preborn.com/AFR the views and
Jeff Chamblee: opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Do you struggle with the thought that God made a mistake when creating you? Author Dacey Triplett joins Jessica to talk about the journey of learning that she was created by God to be exactly who she is today and shares wisdom for families on how to help their own children and grandchildren take the same journey.
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Chapters:
(00:00) We would like to take a moment to thank our sponsor, PreBorn
(01:55) Navigating Social Pressures and the Impact of Comparison on Confidence and Identity
(04:25) Introducing Guest Dacey Triplett and Her Journey of Embracing Why God Made Her Different
(05:41) Dacey's Early Life and Family Support in Navigating Her Unique Physical Differences
(08:06) Adolescent Struggles with Self-Image and the Internal Conflict of Questioning God's Plan
(11:17) Considering Physical Changes and the Realization of Confidence Rooted in External Factors
(14:18) A Retreat Weekend Leads to a Shift in Perspective on Confidence and God's Plan
(15:11) The Pivotal Retreat Experience and Discovering God Confidence as the Foundation for Self-Confidence
(16:01) Without people like you, this podcast would not exist
(21:31) Embracing God's Purpose and the Transformation of Self-Perception and Life Opportunities
(23:22) Sharing a Personal Story and Embracing Public Vulnerability as a Testimony to God's Faithfulness
(29:31) Encouraging Others to Celebrate Their Uniqueness and Aim Higher Than Mere Acceptance
(32:41) God's Higher Plans and the Importance of Living in the Present Moment
(36:28) Releasing Comparison and Chasing God-Sized Dreams in Bluegrass and Music Industries
(39:34) Parental Guidance for Children Facing Differences and Trusting God's Intentional Design
(44:23) Living in the Present Moment and Embracing God's Plan Despite Life's Uncertainties
(46:59) Spiritual Disciplines: The Power of Prayer and Christian Community for Sustained Faith
(49:46) Final Encouragement: We Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by God, the Master Potter
(50:27) We'd like to thank our sponsors, including PreBorn
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