I am not strong... by Jo

I admit that I am not strong.  I am not perfect. 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? 

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.  Within us all there is this "void" which needs to be filled so that we can find strength for the pain when it strikes.   I tell you that you CAN find comfort no matter what you are experiencing and you CAN find strength from within and from others who love you.   

I came from a dysfunctional family 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 their parents arms and tucked into bed, I longed to have that too!    As a teen, I searched for love in all the wrong places.  I was searching to fill my "void."  Sadly, I did not find what I was looking for until my mid-twenties, until I found Jesus.   

Wow - 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 family of faith to encourage and support me.  These faith-filled believers were the genuine family I had always longed for and now they were my family for eternity! 

As part of His family, we are to 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. 

Please know that you can send me an email.   My closest friend, for over 14 years, 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 just a perfect and beautiful woman in the eyes of God, for I am His child. 

​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 surefootedly, 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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