I am a 6ft 7 woman, people look at me but I take it as an opportunity for Evangelism

I grew tall fast. This has had benefits – at school, although I had dyspraxia (poor hand and eye coordination) I was always picked for netball, because I intimidated the opposing team with my height. My family are slightly above average height – Mum is 5ft6, Dad 6ft2 and my two older sisters are 5ft7 and 5ft10, but I’m still head and shoulders above them all at 6ft7. My family recognized quite early on that I was always going to be tall and we embraced it.

But growing up tall has had it’s down sides, I felt that adults judged my age by my height and when I played with friends my own age they made comments that I shouldn’t be so childish. People expected me to behave older than I was. This made me feel sad at times and I felt I missed out on my childhood. Once when I was ten, Mum and I were in Sainsbury’s. I was wearing an orange coat and a customer approached me asking me for directions. At ten years old I was 5ft3.

I’m glad I was brought up in a Christian home, and was only three years old when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. He has been central to me being able to cope with many incidents growing up. At the age of 12 I had a major growth spurt and I started secondary school over 6ft tall.

6ft7, and I just really want to tell you that God loves you.

I had a small number of friends at school but the majority of people made fun of my height. I just wanted to fit in, and I would try to gain friends by being generous - buying and giving people sweets, but they only ever took advantage of my kindness and generosity. There were times when I occasionally did say no, people would then make threatening and guilt tripping comments.

Teenagers have always been the most insensitive when commenting on my height. I currently work in a leisure complex and teenagers there still openly make comments. These experiences have shaped my character and I am very keen that nobody else should be made to feel this way. I try to always be kind and not judge anyone.

Even though I found things hard, my identity has been in Christ. My eyes were fixed on Jesus growing up. With standing out quite literally and having flaming red hair, my Mum would say that I was a "Beacon for Jesus" and I love that. When I’m working I stand behind a bar and customers often ask me if I’m "stood on a box". If I’m in a cheeky mood I’ll reply: "Are you stood in a ditch?" which makes most people laugh.

Finding clothes to fit my stature can be a challenge. I buy trousers from Long Tall Sally an online clothes shop that specializes with tall women. Having clothes made in England is very expensive. My sister lives in Senegal, Africa and when we go to visit her I always get tailor made clothes out there because buying the material and having them made is a reasonable price and very decent quality. The tailor that I use Perfect Tailor Senegal, has made me my bridesmaid dress for my sister’s wedding and other absolutely stunning dresses. He also made a pair of pajamas, they were the first PJs that have fit me in 25 years!

If people are going to look at me anyway I will take this opportunity to tell them about God.

Recently I’ve decided that if people are going to look at me anyway I will take this opportunity to tell them about God by wearing clothing, t-shirts and hoodies about Gods love. “Jesus Is King” is on a banner at my church and I have had it printed on the back some of my hoodies.

People are always curious about my height, and some ask me questions which I love because they are addressing me not just talking about me. For those who aren’t brave enough to ask my height my latest t-shirt says on the back “6ft7, and I just really want to tell you that God loves you.”

It was God’s plan to make me so tall, he has a plan for each one of us. You may not be tall but you are unique and will shine in a different way. Below is one of my favourite scriptures because we are called to stand apart from the world, to be lights for Christ. Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

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