I am not strong... by Jo

I admit...
that I am not strong. 

I admit...am not perfect.

I admit...I have made SO many mistakes in this life. 
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It seems that our lives start out as a wide-eyed child, hoping and searching for that life filled with sweetness and smiles.  And then when we realize that our life is splattered with disappointment and difficulty, we wonder just what went wrong.   Is it my fault?  Why me? 

Who can I talk honestly with?   
Who will just sit and listen to how I feel and understand? 
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When life gets tough we need someone in our life to be there for us and share our burden.  No matter what that burden may be.  Abuse, abortion, separation, ridicule, loneliness, depressed feelings, heartache, anxiety, or serious illness...so much can try to steal our joy. 

 But when there is someone there who cares and who desires to stand by you - it makes a world of difference.   

For the person reading this who feels there is no one to turn to - take heart. 
There is someone to turn to.

You see,   within all of us there is this "void" which needs to be filled so that we can find strength for the pain when it strikes, comfort for when we feel abandoned, strength for when we feel so weak and drained.

I came from a very dysfunctional family (are there really any that aren't?) and suffered abuse from an early age.  It was clear that there was no love to be offered in my home, and when I saw other children wrapped in the loving arms of parents,  I longed to have that too!    As a teen, I searched for love in all the wrong places.  I searched to fill my  own inner "void."  Sadly, I did not find what I was looking for until my mid-twenties, that is, until I found Jesus.   

Amazingly,  He was there all along, just waiting for me to open the door of my heart and help me.   Oh,  how I wished I had known Him sooner.  He was there for me and He gave me a new view of this life and a new circle of friends to surround me with; friends who also knew of His love and welcomed me into this new family of friends.  They were what I longed for and now they were my family for eternity! 

As part of His family, we walk alongside each other when we walk through pain and disappointment in life.  We mourn with those who mourn  (Romans 12:14) and we bear each others burdens (Galatians 6:2). There is nothing more precious than to have compassionate, genuine loving people around you who truly care.  

At times we may have wounds and deep feelings on the inside that we do not show on the outside.  Don't let them fester within my friend!  Share them with someone.  If there is no one that you can talk to face to face, talk with God.  He is always there to listen, calm and comfort you.  He loves you more than you can ever imagine!   He waits to hear from you. 

My closest friend in my faith family for over 14 years now, is a woman that I have never met face to face.  She has been such a blessing to me and one day we WILL meet.  Maybe not here, but in our heavenly home. 

No, I am not a strong woman. 
I am not a perfect woman and I have made  mistakes. 
I have suffered heartache, illness, isolation and mistakes that I can not undo. 
But I am a perfect and beautiful woman in the eyes of God, for I am His child. 
I hope you will begin life again with a new heart and mind...one that is HIS. 
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​The woman who places all her trust in God can spend her time walking closely
by His side and on His path. She is a woman of strength.

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape, but a woman of
strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.  

A strong woman is not afraid of anything, but a woman of strength shows
courage in the midst of fear. 

A strong woman will not let anyone get the best of her,
but a woman of strength gives the best of herself to everyone. 

A strong woman walks sure-footedly, but a woman of strength knows
God will catch her when she falls. 

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face,
but a woman of strength wears grace.  

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey,
​but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.
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