Tonight I pray for the women who are hurting. Maybe they plaster on a smile but deep down they feel unnoticed, unworthy, unloved, overwhelmed, misunderstood, stressed out, etc but know that I am praying for you. I’ve been there and I’m sure I’ll be there again in that valley. It’s a valley that can grow deeper by the minute especially if you feel like you’re suffering alone. You get so far down you feel like there is no way you’ll ever get out. I’ve listened to all the lies before: you’re the only one that deals with this, no one can know or they’ll judge you, you can do this on your own, whatever the lie may be. Please know that it’s just that, a lie. We ALL struggle, doubt, suffer, feel misunderstood, neglected, unloved. When we have others that are willing to come alongside us without judgment but in prayer, friendship, love, and understanding we grow. There have been some very dark parts of my life that very few people know about. I was ashamed, embarrassed, and didn’t want to have to answer the questions people would ask about my decisions. I felt completely alone and withdrawn, lonely and desperate. Those times, the times that were the darkest, loneliest, most vulnerable times of my life, that’s when I felt God the most. He was the one that loved me, that helped me out of my pit of sadness and loneliness. He reminded me that he had plans for me, that he loved me and made me for a purpose that only I could fulfill. He gave me some incredible friends that never judged or gossiped about me or my situation but truly loved me and prayed for me. I want to be that person for all of you. Anyone that’s in that dark place when you feel you’re at rock bottom know that I’m praying for you, cheering you on, believing in better things for you. It’s difficult to go through the storms of life but it’s often what changes us the most. Don’t give up, keep moving forward, keep pushing, keep seeking, and believing. Better days are coming and it’s always darkest before dawn. I love you and you matter!
