The modern woman is extremely busy. She is hustling all the time, at work, at home, single or married, mother or not, she has a full plate and even fuller mind. The expectations placed on her by society, family, and the church are herculean. The Christian woman can easily mistake these expectations as the measure of her value.
I love Jesus, & I want everyone to know Him. I want everyone to have their lives transformed by Him, the same way mine has been. So much so, that I’ll give whatever I have to spread His love: my time, talents, & treasure. Actually, that’s not true.
Sometimes she came over, sat on the couch, and did not say much of anything. It made me nervous in the beginning. I tried to fill the silence with sound and my hands felt obligated to be busy moving, doing, working. Yet there she sat, still. Quiet.
I bought the brightly colored balloon at the grocery store, to deliver along with the frozen lasagna and salad fixings, even though deep down I knew it wasn’t the right message. “Get Well Soon” simply wasn’t possible for my friend, now facing the mountainous road of chemo and radiation, with the cancer detour that had radically altered her course. If there had been better options, I would have chosen more cancer-appropriate balloon words such as “Here With You” or “Courageous Warrior.”
As a prayer minister, I have had many clients come for help over the years struggling with depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. These clients do not fit into one category. They do not have a unique “look” that causes them to stand out in a crowd. I have seen males and females alike. Rich and poor. All sizes and ages. People in their late 50s, and people as young as 8 years old. These are people all around us in our schools, churches, workplace, and communities.