the women i know

i know alot of people in this world.  alot of amazing people.  i know so many amazing women.  many of them i go to church with, am related to, work with or are just friends with.  they have struggles, problems, strongholds.....lots of things that keep them worn down.  tired.  weary.  on the verge of tears.  great big sobbing tears.  the kind that could go on until you are huffing and snubbing with snot running all over your face and your head about to split.  gross.... but true.  right now, today, i have a friend who is in the emergency room with her dementia ridden mother for the second time in three days.  she is so worn and looks at her mother who hardly knows her anymore with deep sadness but still finds humor in it all.  because sometimes, it is funny when they look at you and say to the real stranger, "nurse, who is this woman....i have never seen her before???"  right now i have a friend who is watching her grown daughter make mistake number whatever with man number whatever and her heart is just broken.  the daughter is pushing fifty years old and still breaking her mama's heart.  right now my daughter is so worried about passing her state teaching exam.  she is exhausted from studying, teaching, and studying more while planning a wedding, refurbishing and older home and just life.  my other daughter is a struggling stay-at-home mommy with two little girls who love her and a husband who adores her.  still she worries....how will they make it, is she doing the right thing, is she a good mommy...the doubts they never stop.  i have friends.  close friends that are so close to financial ruin.  i have several close friends (and in this one i am including me) who are just struggling with menopause and all that entails.  no sleep, weight shifting, hot flashes from the inner circle of hell.  not kidding.  job struggles.  no jobs.  hating their jobs.  marriage struggles.  some are barely hanging on.  been there....lost that battle.  divorced women.  widowed women.  lonely women.  some striving forward.  others settling for anyone who will look their way....that breaks my heart because they deserve so much more.  friends who have no self-esteem, no self-respect, desperate.  women who live with fear.  trapped by guilt of things from their past that they cannot change....adultery, divorce, abortion, promiscuity, secret sins to unspeakable  friends who cannot get through the day without a "happy pill".  not to deal with their problems but just something so they won't think about their problems.  sad...when the happy pill wears off the problem is still there.  rearing it's ugly head with a loud vicious roar.  women i know who are addicted to pornography, shopping, drugs (illegal and legal), alcohol, men, food.    but through all these things there is an answer.  most of my friends know it.....Jesus

Now this is what the LORD says - the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel - "  Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;  I have called you by your name;  you are Mine - Isaiah 43:1 (HCSB)

But I will rescue you on that day - this is the LORD's declaration - "and you will not be handed over to the men you fear."  Jeremiah 39:17  (HCSB)

So don't be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows. - Matthew 10:31 (HCSB)

God Loves You....so much